Probably over a month ago now when I drove past Brisbane towards Noosa, QLD I saw these incredible, spontaneously placed mountains dotted along the highway. Within minutes I passed them and it was back to a day of rainy driving. The mountains, had these seemingly odd placements of rock faces that shone with the rain. I imagined this wet glare from the wet rocks was why they were called the Glass House Mountains, but I was wrong.
Last night I was gearing up to hike one of the Glass House Mountains. I was thinking of Mount Beerwah because I read the scramble was slightly easier than Mount Tibrogargan, despite Beerwah being taller.
Everything was in check until I researched the official map from the Glass House National Parks site. Only to find the Aboriginal, traditional owners of the Glass House Mountains land ask that people do not hike to the summits of the peaks. They believe it’s bad luck and it’s better to admire the mountains from below, not atop. Instead I admired the mountains from lookouts and walking circuits that curl below the mountains.
I was surprised though to get to the trails and see nearly everyone hiking to the summits. I had a tough time figuring out why so many people hike the summits against Aboriginal peoples wishes.
Uluru is a giant red rock in the middle of Australia. It’s also another culturally significant place for the Aboriginal people and famous for being hiked. In 2017 the Aboriginal people and parks council members put an end to this, as of October 26, 2019. This is a huge move for the Aboriginal people, their land and reconciliation against the previous destruction.
Although I haven’t yet been to Uluru, every other tourist I spoke to knew not to hike Uluru, even as it was still legal. I have heard that many people are still hiking Uluru, regardless of the soon-to-be-ban. But why isn’t there the same thought about the Glass House Mountains? That’s most puzzling to me.
Also for the name of the Glass House Mountains. On our walk around the mountains a woman explained to us that they were named by James Cook. He called the the Glass House Mountains after the glass making foundries, which looked similar to his home in Yorkshire, England.
In reality these mountains are intrusive plugs formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. Also interesting, although there’s so many volcanic historical information that shaped Australia’s landscape. There’s actually no active volcanoes in Australia currently. This is mainly because volcanoes occur around the major tectonic plate barriers, and there are none in the country.
Aside from catching up on hiking, I’m one week away from beginning tree planting. Hiking and new clothes is the next stop before I begin working. Hiking will hopefully help with getting my legs back in shape so I can feel more prepared.
I definitely need a warmer coat now, since going south and into Australia’s winter it’s been freezing at night. I didn’t think I would feel this cold in Australia. It’s still nothing compared to Canada’s winter, but there’s little protection in a van.
