Mt Maroon First Time Climb

[amwil]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and the sport so please cut me some slack! I've been looking into attempting a summit of Mt Maroon, which comes in at just about 967m. I have never attempted much mountaineering before, only having done some of the bushwalking tracks around Tamborine and O'Reillys area, and I've been doing a lot of exersize too aid in climbing just because I'm not sure what too expect. This being said, I'm after some opinions on whether this is a good first mountain too attempt? And what gear I might need. I'm heading in with a group so I was just thinking a day pack with the essentials. Any information would be very much appreciated!

Amy.

[tomh]

You have made a good choice - Mt. Maroon is an ideal mid-level bushwalk for the reasonably fit, and the 360 degree summit view is another thing that makes it worthwhile.
The Aussie Bushwalking website has some good information. For the gear you should take in a day pack:
https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/articles/bushwalking-essential-gear
For a description of the walk:
https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/qld/mt-barney/mt-maroon
There are a few boulders to climb around on the initial section of the walk, but you will only need to do some minor rock scrambles in the steeper gully near the top of the climb. The website has a photo in that gully of the 'most difficult' (relatively speaking) part of the climb here:
https://abw.blob.core.windows.net/img/qld/mt-barney/mt-maroon/6360.jpg
and there are some other useful photos on the web page.
At the top of the gully you have reached a wide plateau and it is an easy walk over to the summit on the other side.
Don't climb if it is wet - the rock will be treacherous.

[cams]

Great info by Tom above. Prepare well, give yourself plenty of time and go for it!! There are some more photos of the walk up on my blog here: https://highandwide.com.au/2014/08/17/mt-maroon/. In this post I dragged a mate with very little bushwalking experience and mediocre fitness (worse than me so it must be bad) up it without too much hassle.

[amwil]

Hi all,

thanks for the great information, it's been really helpful. Unfortuantley, due to a change of plans I'll now be heading to Mt. Mitchell. Was curious if anyone had any extra information regarding this track? Sorry for the switch around!

Amy.

[Champion_Munch]

Hi Amy,

Mt Mitchell is a great walk, but you might find some sections are quite overgrown with weeds (particularly on the northern slopes around landslides). Worthwhile taking gaiters if you can.

Some pics from recent walk at sunset:
http://sirkingchampionmunch.blogspot.co ... unset.html
Pics from a few years ago during the day:
http://sirkingchampionmunch.blogspot.co ... chell.html

The track is well-marked and there's nothing very steep, certainly nowhere near as tiring as Mt Maroon. Up on top it's quite airy with big cliffs on all sides if you are not so good with heights.

Cheers,
Munch

[amwil]

Thanks for the info Munch. Will update this thread when I come back.

Regards,
Amy.

[Shrike-Thrushes]

Is this too easy just to drive hours to get to this place or would mt Mt Maroon be the better option to take? I have not heard from Amy and like to know was it?

[ofuros]

Scenic Rim peaks, Maroon, May, Mitchell, Cordeaux, Flinders Peak, Greville, Moogerah etc, are all easy access...all will make your knees go weak & get your heart pumping.

[Shrike-Thrushes]

Why would my legs go weak? I do a lot of bush walking so would these hikes be worth it or should I do something more challenging? Have you walk on Mt Maroon?

[ofuros]

If you love the bush...and views, they're all worth it.
Yes, I've scrambled up Maroon a few
times now...great views of Barney & Lindsay.
If you enjoy off track walking there's a couple of
other routes to top too.

[ofuros]

If you haven't already, grab yourself a copy
of the Bushpeoples guide to s.e. Qld.
Part of it here....for challenges aplenty.
http://www.southee.com/Bushwalking/Ch13 ... allow.html

[Shrike-Thrushes]

Thank you I have got that site but its why I post here to find others who have done it to get more feedback! As I know mt Maroon is pretty straight forward but like to find out what I am in for. I posted a new post on Mt Barney and all the post I read is all about how hard it will be no matter what trail you hike on! You got some very steep inclines you need to scramble up so i am a bit worried! So need to ask about it and find out if a newbie like me should attempt it if Mt Maroon becomes too easy.

The Site that you gave said that with Mt Barney the south ridge is rated 3 but i am not so sure cause others say it is hard? So I just need help on this if i can get post from them?

I will try all of them if I can but just looking for the ones that is hard but does not require climbing up rock faces. If I have to climb rock faces then like to know how hard will it be?

[ofuros]

For challenging walks go to Barney...
To gain confidence to do the challenging walks...practice
on the other peaks in the rim.

The Barney boys will add to your other post sooner or later ...just give them time. The Qld forum can be a bit slow sometimes.

Try the search function too, I'm pretty sure
there heaps of info on Barney routes in the other threads.

[Shrike-Thrushes]

Thank you for your help and I am in no rush! Thanks for your help! I have posted in my post but still afraid of that 45 degree cliff!

[Champion_Munch]

Take your pick Shrike, as ofuros listed there are plenty of good peaks in the area. If you head to Mt Mitchell and find it's "not enough" you can also pick off Mt Cordeaux and Bare Rock while you are there and make a full day of it. Or do the same with Mt Edwards/Mt Greville.

Definitely suggest Mt Maroon before Mt Barney. It's a step up from the graded walks like Cordeaux and Mitchell, but a step down from Barney. You could combine Mt Maroon and Mt May in a day, if Maroon isn't enough! It makes sense to start easy and work your way up, as you might find the easier routes less thrilling after the excitement of tackling Barney... you want to enjoy them all!

[Shrike-Thrushes]

Thank you Champion! Hiking is always a thrill easy or hard cause of the beautiful animals and plants and wonderful views! Good for the heart, legs and later on in life so keep encouraging us to work that heart out.