A walk up "my mountain".

"My" mountain.

My mountain is Mt Cargill, a long time extinct volcano that is at the northern edge of Dunedin. There is a tall communications tower on top of it. There are incredible views from the top and three different walking tracks go up to the summit. I have often made it my walk of choice. One is from a carpark near the top, called the A H Reed track, named after a book writer and publisher who loved to walk well into his nineties. There is the track from a gulley in North Dunedin called Bethunes Gulley. This is the longest track. Then from a road that goes beside the mountain, the Organ Pipe track. It goes to the top past some very picturesque basalt columns and is the middle sized track in length, but very steep in places. I have most often walked up the Organ Pipe track, but sometimes used the longest track. I have, when I was really fit jogged up most of the way on both tracks. I have not been up there for some time. 

I HAVE to do it!

Since I have been diagnosed with lung cancer I decided that I needed to climb "my mountain" at least one more time before my lungs get really bad. So today after doing my workplace chaplain's visit to a brewery, my wife left for her voluntary work at the Emergency Department at the hospital, and I packed a drink and a jacket and drove up to the parking area by the start of the track. The first 15 minutes (today) is exceptionally steep, and I knew if I could do that I would complete the climb. (I used to do the steep bit in five minutes) So I walked up to the top of Mt Cargill, it took me 1 hour 15 minutes. I used to be able to do it in 35 - 40 minutes. My poor lungs were struggling. My chest was heaving and then there were many times I stopped to catch my breathe. BUT I GOT UP AND DOWN IN TWO HOURS AND FIFTEEN MINUTES with a stop at the top for photos, drink and lolly. I was pleased to do it and hope to try again another day. 

Tomorrow I have a meeting with a specialist and I'll ask if it is OK that I still push myself and stress my lungs. My theory is that what lung volume I have at any stage will be working at best capacity. It will not heal me but might keep my life reasonable for maybe a bit longer?

A fascinating cave part way up.

The "Organ Pipes" large basalt columns. They used to be a lot more impressive but tumbled during an earthquake years ago.

Steps - these got my chest heaving.

The communications tower at the top.

Otago Harbour out to the heads from the top.

Looking down at Port Chalmers and Sawyers Bay where we live.

Looking down on the "Pretty City" Dunedin NZ.

A cairn at the top with a brass plate naming the sights that can be seen in different directions.