Lord of Water The Glass Tops

A Climbing Story

Chapter 15 - The Glass Tops

We drove way out to the glass tops. It was awesome having just the two of us climbing through this gorge together for no reason. It seemed like we had come such a long way, I’m a grown man now and dad’s been there as my best friend and guide through it all. And most incredibly managed to keep me out of trouble all this time.

We climbed into the base of the rapids and got to spend the day pulling of the most crazy dives and bombs into this private plunge pool. The water was a little cold, but we were just taking on the most crazy dives from different angles and ledges, our adrenaline totally took over.

“You still go hard for any old fella!”

Dad just turned and half flexed his six pack. He’d managed to keep himself in great shape still and it made me feel good about myself just looking at him.

“Ok Shane. Time to start heading out of here. No need to test ourselves in the darkness against the vastness of the Glass Tops hey!”

Dad was totally right. We’re pretty good truckers, but the night can take over so fast here and the gorges twist and split in all directions. It would mean rather than sleeping tonight we’d be trying to guess our way out and find ourselves twenty miles away heading down one of the hundreds of dead ends in this labyrinth. 

It was just about dark when we stepped back onto the main track anyway. We timed it pretty close. But all good as always. We always had this crazy knack of timing things just right.

I threw the ropes and rigging kit into the back of the truck while dad straightened out the bags and towels and stuff. In we jumped and headed back out of the Glass House National Park.

"We’ve got a couple of days Shane. I want to take you to meet someone.” Dad spoke and we turned through the road cut into the sides of the gorge.

“I’ve got a really good friend that I haven’t seen for a long time and I think he’s love to meet you.”

“Sure!” I said. “Now?”

“Sure mate. We’ve got time. Let’s just disappear for a couple of days. We gonna head a little up North. Your gonna love it and I probably should have introduced you way long ago anyway.”

“Cool. Let’s go!”

I always trusted dad completely any time he gave me a suggestion or invitation to do anything. He’s been my mentor for my whole life and I been able to model his character in so many ways. I feel like a reflection and a part of him. But it is more like we just know each other’s thoughts without even having to speak.

I’ve seen so many of the other kids getting into trouble at school and in life and arguing with their parents and even wishing they were dead or something. But never me and Dad. We’re just total sole mates and I let him do his job you know!

I fell asleep as we drove, drifting off to this old Steely Dan tape that Dad still loves to play. We pulled in some hours later at this cool resort type hotel that was cut into the side of the mountain and had the water springs running right through it. I was still half asleep, but I was awake enough to walk to a room that Dad booked and remember saying “Cool!” as we opened the door to this insane, modern apartment that I knew would be a great place to wake up to. I literally had a shower in my sleep and then crashed in the huge king sized bed with a light background of Mozart whispering me to sleep.

I dreamt so deep that night. Of the glass house gorge with dad, the water, all of the colours and sounds of the native forest. The pictures were so clean and I felt in fact like I was awakening to a journey of who I really am. For the first time I could start to feel the life and power of this planet clearer than ever before. This was a change in my journey and I knew that I was on the very edge of something that would shape my destiny and purpose for being here. 

Never to be the same again.

Lord of Water A Climbing Story

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