Climbing Mount Meharry (Wirlbiwirlbi)

Elevation:   1,249 metres    Nearest towns:  Newman

Difficulty:    Easy                   Date[s] climbed:  26/05/2010    Location:  W.A.    Author: Brian

Could it be this way?

Mount Meharry is the highest point in Western Australia, by 15 metres and it lies in the heart of the Pilbara. A hard place to get to but highly rewarding. Unlike most of the other mountains in our State 16, Meharry was only named in the modern era.

History

Mount Meharry is named after William Thomas Meharry (1912–1967), Chief Geodetic Surveyor for Western Australia from 1959 to 1967. It was discovered by surveyor Trevor Markey and his party in 1967. Tom Meharry directed the survey party and performed the calculations that confirmed the mountain was the highest peak in Western Australia, being 15 m (49 ft) higher than Mount Bruce which lies 62 km northwest of Mount Meharry.

After Meharry's sudden death on 16 May 1967 the Nomenclature Advisory Committee (now the Geographic Names Committee) recommended to the Minister for Lands that the recently discovered peak be named after him and a notice naming the peak was published in the Western Australian Government Gazette on 15 September 1967.

Warning

The main challenge will be getting there. No direct flights of course. It’s an easy climb, but isolated. Nil water of course. If you do climb Meharry, take the time to climb the second highest peak, Mount Bruce and also visit Karijini National Park, given the logistics involved. Bruce is a much nicer climb.

The Climb

We fly into Newman from Perth early morning courtesy of Virgin Blue and hire a 4WD to get out to Meharry. Leaving Newman after provisioning at Woolworths, we are on our way at 9 AM. Our 4WD is well equipped with an emergency radio and the ubiquitous flashing lights and two metre orange poles, which seems to be the norm in the Pilbara. Graeme buys a shovel, just in case!

The plan is to climb Meharry that day and return to Newman late afternoon. Our planning was sound however the available maps were small scale and we were a little concerned given Google Earth imagery is way out of date. 126 km up the Great Northern Highway (95) and a well-marked dirt road to the left through a closed gate points us to the base of Meharry. Note that access to Meharry is through "Juno Downs" station and permission is required. A large Meharry sign along the track lifts our confidence.

The road is unmade and becomes pretty rough the closer you get to Meharry. The distance is approximately 29 km to the base from I 95. We speculate a number of times about the actual summit location. Yes, it is possible to drive to the top however you will need a good 4WD and sound off-road skills. Driving up for us isn't even a vague consideration and we park under the only gum tree at the base and head up the track to the top. Lots of loose rock, no trees and probably unchanged for a million years, save for the track that winds inexorably to the beckoning summit.

The top is discernible by a gnarled tree however there is a quaint "hybrid" cairn right on top. The distance to the summit is approx. 3.8 km and a steady 2.5 hour round trip allowing time on top to take in the fantastic views. The timed snap function of our cameras captures the boyish grins on our faces. Certainly not a hard climb however the journey has taken much planning and we are roughly 1,000 km from Perth, and 3,300 km from Sydney as the crow flies; and a further couple of thousand kilometres from our Mount Woodroffe start point 3 days earlier.

We are bemused to encounter a young couple in their four-wheel drive on top. He is likely a FIFO French national, with boyish good likes and she is clearly smitten by his charms. They have clearly spent the night "on top".

It's our first visit to the Pilbara region and we are overwhelmed by the scale of the mining industry and the raw beauty of the area. The Pilbara should be on everyone's visit list and we spend the next day briefly discovering the beauty of the Karijini national park, which Meharry was tacked on to some years earlier. Definitely a must see and the rewards of climbing Meharry and the area far outweigh the difficulty and cost of getting there.

Many thanks to John Sanders the Manager of Juno Downs station for his advice and permission to enter his fascinating property.

Climbing Mount Bruce (Punurrunha)

Elevation:  1,234 metres    Nearest towns: Mount Price

Difficulty:  Medium             Date[s] climbed:  12/05/2018 and 11/05/21    Location:  W.A.    Author: Graeme

                                                                                        Our final climb, the State 16 finally achieved!

What could be more Australian than a mountain named “Bruce”. In the1960’s, the name Bruce was almost as often used as “mate” for an Australian male. This led to a famous Monty Python scene, (the Bruce’s) with 4 Aussie drinkers, all called Bruce, espousing the seven faculty rules of the University of Woolloomooloo. For some unknown reason, or perhaps as a consequence of this sketch, the name has almost died out. But not in Western Australia, where the second highest mountain, is Mount Bruce. Brian climbed it on 12/05/2018 while I was slightly tied up having a minor hip replacement, and then revisited it during a rare Covid free window in May 2021 when we both summited.

History

The aboriginal name for Mount Bruce is “Punurrunha”. It lies in Karijini National Park in Western Australia. Mount Bruce was first seen by non-indigenous people, when explorer and surveyor Francis T. Gregory led an expedition through the area in 1861. In his diary of 6 July 1862, he states “this distinguished eminence I have named Mount Bruce after the gallant commandant of the troops”. This “commandant” was Lieut. Col. John Bruce, commandant of Western Australian troops, and acting governor of W. A. in 1862 and 1868. The name was approved in 1881. Gregory was looking for good pastoral land to support the economy of western Australia, but instead found the Hamersley range and the Pilbara, which in the long run have had led to much more significant rewards.

Warnings

Mount Bruce is an enigma. It is one of the easier climbs of the 16, except for one exposed scramble. This section is not at all hard if you are happy with heights, but many may find it daunting. If you fall, game over. But the same can be said about crossing a road. It depends on your comfort level.

The climb

Brian was the first to climb Mount Bruce, summitting on 12/05/2018. I was unfortunately slightly tied up with my hip replacement, the final straw of which had been the delightful, (but painful) climb of the very challenging Mount Edward the year before. Time catches up with us all, but replacement parts can now be ordered which is a bonus. So, during a “Covid free window” in May 2021, I planned to travel to Karijini National Park to do my “catch-up” climb. I had the honour of being with Brian when he completed his 16 on Bellenden Kerr, and now it was my turn. Very fitting, as Brian was the instigator of this amazing journey.

Cate and I travelled to Perth, where we were interrogated on our plans and Covid status, before flying to Exmouth, and then by hire car to Karijini, and then on to Broome. Be aware that hire car rates one way in Western Australia are huge, and we put on an excess 1,000 km’s. The distances are great, but the landscape is amazing.

Just before our departure, Brian rang to ask If I would mind if he and Tanya could fly to Karijini to join us, with Brian accompanying me on the final climb of the 16. I was incredibly honoured, as they were in the middle of moving house and time was “of the essence”. So, we met at Karijini Eco retreat, which is the best place to stay in Karijini. They describe the resort as “glamping” but to me a tent is a tent! We had ensuite bathrooms sure; but… Karijini is an incredible National Park and one Brian and I had been to fleetingly on our earlier Meharry climb. Strongly recommend it.

Brian and I start our climb the next morning, driving from Karijini Eco retreat. The access road is an unsealed road off Karijini Drive close to the Banjima Drive West entry station of Karijini. It is easy to find, and the mountain really stands out. We had an early breakfast, and began our walk at 8.00, hoping to be back at the resort for a late lunch.

There are warnings at the parking area at the start of the walk warning of the dangers, including a mention of fatalities. While these need to be taken seriously, most of the walk is easy. It becomes a grade 5 walk, only because of one short exposed vertical chute, which must be respected. No problem at all if you are happy with heights and takes all of 30 seconds. But a fall here would not be good. We saw other climbers who reached this point and decided not to proceed, and this was the right decision for them. Go, and climb if happy to. If not, the views from that point are outstanding anyway.

Brian and I amble up this area, the climb adding to the attraction of the mountain. The only obstacle we find, is a very nervous lady being slowly helped down the chute by her helpful husband. But she makes it, and we swapped stories later at dinner. They have done the climb at dawn, to get the sunrise! The summit of Bruce is magnificent, with superb views of the surrounding area, including the Marandoo mine nearby. Some of the concertina patterns of the rocks are unique. On the summit, we take final State 16 photos and celebrate the achievement. I must admit, I feel a little deflated on the return journey, knowing that this is the final climb of the “State 16”. But this is corrected over dinner at “table 41”. It has been an amazing, and at times humbling experience to accompany Brian on the “State 16”. We have shared an incredible journey to the most remote parts of this country. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

On our 2011 climb of “The top ten”, we did the third highest peak in Australia (Mount Twynam). Third Highest.… now there’s an idea….

Postscript

Graeme is very generous with his comments. The State 8 and now the State 16, have been a 100% team effort, every inch/mm of the journey. We have been challenged by the elements, bureaucracy, ideology, tyranny of distance, costs, health issues, concerned but very supporting wives, to name just a few. We have developed a wonderful and supporting friendship, had some amazing experiences and have seen some of the very best of Australia. We have achieved this as a team. So proud and honoured to have Graeme by my side.

Get out there and do your own Top 1, 5, 10 of whatever. The trip will be amazing.