Climbing in support of

By Kirra Livingstone

DOZENS of people climbed Mt Beerwah on Saturday (August 12) as part of a “Save Our Summits” event in support of ensuring Glasshouse Country peaks open to the broader community.

The mountain had been closed by the Department of Environment and Science in May following a vandalism attack, with a spokesperson saying it would remain off limits while repairs were undertaken and for cultural healing.

Following a fatality earlier this year as well as a series of other high profile rescues, Local Jinibara man, BJ Murphy, held a peaceful protest urging hikers to reconsider climbing the peak.

He said Mt Beerwah “is seen as a grandmother and ancestral spirit for us”.

He said if the mountain were closed permanently, compromises could be offered to hikers.

“It’s getting to the point where I want to jump up and down and scream, I’m trying to educate and ask them to not climb... but you will never stop everyone,” he said.

“If the summit was closed permanently, the parks department would put another trail in on the west side of the base, but the trail would have to cause minimal disruption.”

SOS event organiser, Ben Heaton, said the aim of the day was to show that the mountain important for us to keep that open,” he said.

“This counter argument lets people know that it is important for other people to be able to climb the mountains. We get a lot out of it and if you don’t speak up and you don’t get heard, then you lose those opportunities and that access.”

Country.

“I’m not concerned with a temporary closure, in fact, I welcome that type of thing and got stopped from climbing our beautiful Glass House Mountains.

“A lot of climbers use the mountains as a place for healing, whether it be a fitness challenge for them or to help overcome mental health issues, personally it has made me more confident.”

You said it...

These peaks are responsible for the mental and physical health of thousands

Andrew

Access to these mountains and National Parks areas are so important for our wellbeing and local identity, not just for now but for our future generations to experience.

Holly

Our National Parks belong to all of us and access to the beautiful places within should not be determined by a handful of activists on the basis of irrational beliefs. Greatest joy for the greatest number.

Marc

I can see both sides of the argument. I’m sure I’m not the only hiker to give a silent but grateful thanks to this (and every) mountain at the end of the hike for her beauty, healing and wisdom. Perhaps a compromise would be to close the mountains during NAIDOC week?

Naomi

Thank you for writing this excellent article.

I have a strong spiritual association with this mountain, having climbed it many times with my young daughters. I also respect other people’s right to enjoy the mountain. It must be open to all Australians, not just those few that claim some Jinibara ancestry. Anthony

Think I actually felt all the SPIRITS also, there were so many who had expressed they were unable to attend in person but would be there in SPIRIT!

Hanna

I am sad at the conflict this causes. Were there any indigenous people supporting the right to climb? It feels to me as if this a confirmation of invasion; that even now we are so socialised to the status quo that we cannot see the pain we cause.

They should be for everyone & the mountains are million years old way before humans were on this planet.