Tinbeerwah Lookout

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Mon 9 May 2016 22:57
Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout
 
 
 
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We set off from Noosa Heads in the middle of the afternoon, Jim wasn’t sure if we would have time to visit the Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout, at the turning though “let’s go for it”. In the car park of course I had to go over to the information board.
 
 
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Sneak peek on the way up.
 
 
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The well paved path took us to the Eastern Viewpoint at 260 metres, no resting on the benches, got to get to the top.
 
 
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Pretty sky along the way.
 
 
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The next part of the track was over the exposed rhyolite through montane shrubland. Jim and Bear give a wave from the fire tower (also used by the firemen when bushfires are a threat in the area). At the top we were 265 metres above sea level.
 
 
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We could see across to Noosa Heads and the Pacific Ocean.
 
 
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In the opposite direction we could see Mount Cooroora.
 
 
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A bit further round – Lake MacDonald.
 
 
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On our way down we stopped at the fenced anchor points to watch Russ preparing his ropes.
 
 
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Forward and rear anchors and the ropes all laid out. Russ gave us instructions as well as Mel who was learning a new discipline. While that was going on we had the chance to look at the rock below us.
 
Molten magma to rocky mountain: The mountain’s formation began during volcanic activity 27 million years ago when molten magma intruded into sandstone below the ground surface. Millenniums of erosion have removed the softer sandstone and left the hard, erosion resistant rhyolite exposed as Mount Tinbeerwah’s prominent peak.
Montane shrubland thrives on many Sunshine Coast hinterland peaks, including the Glass Mountains. Each location has its own distinctive group of species that grow in this rocky, elevated environment. Common plants here include stunted mallee eucalypts and brush box (Lophostemon confertus) with a shrubby layer of wattle (Acacia hubbardiana), fringe myrtle (Calytrix tetragona), small-fruited tea-tree (Leptospermum microcarpum and Commersonia viscidula).
 
 
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Final red rope that would be support to Russ climbing up was thrown over the edge and Mel was ready to do the slack-taking-up through a climbers toothed snatch block – to my learning eyes Sir Edmund would have been thrilled to use. That done, Russ donned his red crash hat and ran down the mountain.
 
 
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A lovely smile from Mel as she knew she had successfully mastered her new skill.
 
 
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A few technical calls between the couple, more rope fed through the shiny gadget and what seemed like a few minutes later Russ popped up. We thanked the pair for letting us watch and learn but admitted it may not be for us. They laughed and shrugged at the nutty pair who were on the second half of their circumnavigation. Hmmm. Home we went to Beez, tired after a really good day. Jim and Pam are coming to lunch on board and we look forward to that very much. A final word about today – didn’t expect to climb a mountain when we got up this morrow............
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL A FASCINATING VISIT
                     BRILLIANT VIEWS WITH AN INTERESTING ENCOUNTER