Wolfang Peak (1877 feet)
Australia
Wolfang Peak, Peak Downs
Character: A short but exceptionally steep and rocky climb up an outstanding geographical feature
*Remember to take plenty of water and to tell someone of your plans!*
Ascent: ~1000 feet
Time: 1.5 hours
Wolfang Peak (1877 feet)
The area between Clermont in the west, Dysart in the east, and Moranbah in the north is home to an amazing set of volcanic plugs called the Peak Downs. These are the remains of volcanic activity from millenia past. They number perhaps as many as 20 tops, if you count some of the lesser peaks, and vary in shape from the conical (like Wolfang, above) to almost totally flat topped, like Lord's Table Mountain to the unique, like the twins of The Gemini Mountains, Castor and Pollux, also on The Peak Downs Highway, a few kilometres north of Wolfang. None are that high, but most reach close to or above the 2000 foot contour. However, much of the surrounding land is 1000 feet anyway, so big ascents are not the order of the day.
Wolfang peak, is, I beleive, the most climbed of the group, for two good reasons. Its right on the highway, and secondly, to any peak bagger, its fantastic shape screams out "Climb me! - if you can!"
I'll describe the way I went up, one day in August 1999, though any route description is arguablly unnecessary as there is only one way up without ropes. As a courtesy to the land owner, you should call in advance. Try Ryders on 07 4983 1769. This is National Park, however. Also consider your own safety, and let someone know your plans. At the very least, leave a note in your windscreen, and your courtesy light on in the car, so when it gets to 10 pm and you're not down due to a friendly brown snake, at least someone who stops at your car has some chance of getting you help!
Park on the verge of the Peak Downs Highway, about 30 km north east of Clermont. You'll know when you're in the right place - you can't miss this peak, less than a kilometre off the road! There is a dirt track signposted to the right here, but it's very rough and has no parking. If you've driven from the north east, you will have had the less spectacular view of the mountain but you will have had the advantage of seeing the chink in the armour of this fortress. From the south, the peak looks unclimbable, certainly without ropes.
Head directly for the base of the peak. There was some rough grass and light scrub in August, but the going was easy enough. I recommend going to the rocky base of the peak first (unlike with Lord's Table Mountain), as you can follow the base around quite easily to your left (north), where there is far less "jungle" than lower down. I made the mistake after my descent of heading some distance to the north from the peak to flatter ground before circling around to the west - this took a lot longer than following the base of the peak! The pig tracks in the grass convince you one minute they're freeways, and the next they peter out completely! Plus I felt it would be easier not to see a snake in all this long grass. I have since been reassured that in August the snakes should still be hibernating, but then have you ever seen a snake with a calendar?!
On the leg around the base, you will see a rope hanging down at one point, though still out of reach. My heart sank when I saw this , as I thought "There's no way I'm trusting that!" and feared it might be the only way up. Persevere around to the northern side, and the way up becomes clear. I worked it out for myself, and felt quite pleased, only to find a few feet up the spray painted arrows I'm used to on Castle Hill in Townsville! If you don't see the arrows, like me, the way up is obvious as the first big realistic break in the rock walls, and a flat (ish) ramp of rock at around 45 degrees, perhaps around 20 metres wide, heading straight up towards some caves higher up that you may just be able to see. The rock ramp alternates with loose scree rock, and a there are a few boulders to negotiate. After a few minutes up here there is a small "step" of rock to go up, towards the left hand side of the slope. None of this is too difficult, but I imagine if you were in wet conditions much of this would be a skating rink!
Now you skirt around and in front of a few marvellous caves. I was very much hoping (probably like everyone else who comes this way) to find some ancient rock paintings - it seems like the perfect place - but no such luck. You can easily imagine firelight playing in the entrance to one of these larger caves and some noble natives looking over it to the plains to the north and the vastness of a starlit night. What a prospect!
Now the marked trail jumps up a few rocks round to the right and from here up (you're not far off the top now) you stay on this side. There are a couple of very minor "clambers" which need you to use both hands, but nothing resembling rock climbing. On my way back down, at the top of one of these "clambers", I initially too the wrong turn, so moving an obvious rock to the top of the descent gulley (gulley really is too dramatic a word) to remind you on the way down might be an idea, but really the spray painted arrows are visible 95% of the time.
The rocks get smaller and looser as the ground levels, and you shortly find yourself on the tiny plateau that is the summit of Wolfang Peak. You've made it, and probably just 30 minutes after leaving your car. Now you also see the strange contraption that sits on top of the peak, that you noticed from the highway. Even now I'm still not totally sure what it is -a wind vane probably? But who for?
The views are stupendous. The chain of the Downs stretches out to the south east, with Lord's table Mountain being clearly visible. If you're bored (how could you be!) or just curious, you can read the notes left by other summiteers in the two glass jars, and indeeed, leave your own. If mine is still in there, it gives the URL for this web site, so you will have gone full circle. Nature and technology in perfect harmony (!!!).
Of course, the descent is a complete reverse of the ascent. As mentioned earlier on, I would recommend following the base round rather than going futher away. The only problem here is working out which way the highway is - its damn difficult to see. A compass would probably be a good idea, and to follow a reverse bearing of the one you took in to the peak from the highway.
What a great couple of hours!