Exploring Black Mountain: Myths, Beauty, And Mystery

Week 1

Visiting and exploring new places was one of the major interests I gained through the years and that has always been one thing which I was passionate about. Going through the Internet and articles, I found Black Mountain as an exciting place to visit and decided to observe and experience the rolling mountains for once. During my first visit to the site, I observed what the place looked like at first glance. A massive, scorched pile of gigantic rocks looms over the adjacent green expanse of plants, (2) looking less like a naturalistic structure and more like anything put here by massive hands. Though black Mountain appears to be a massive black behemoth towering over the primeval woods around it from afar, further investigation reveals it is made up of massive granite boulders, several of which are up to 20 feet wide, and rises 900 feet above the external environment. Roaming around the place I came to know about some myths and horrifying stories but I decided to explore the place again in the upcoming week and know about its history and changes.

Initial experience for me from this place was quite exaggerated for me since I was influenced by its natural appearance. But talking about the myths and creepy experiences cleared my imagination of being a haunted mountain. Undoubtedly, Black Mountain has always been the epicenter of a wide spectrum of extreme weirdness (1) far into contemporary days. Creatures are claimed to be frightened by the hill, which is said to emanate an evil spirit that has been known to impair the directional systems of planes flying overhead. In reality, aircraft generally resist passing near the mountain because of the inexplicable abnormalities and weird air disturbance that occurs in the area. However, it is located inside the national park of Queensland, yet the spooky stories were the major highlights that I understood after visiting the place.

Initially, I expected that there would be places for camping or picnic, but facilities like that are not provided. Whereas the travel sites respect a variety of locations in the area, such as Kambi, Julbanu, Birmba, and Yirrmbal – which are all primarily metamorphic rocks or caverns with religious significance – the researchers and tourists shun Kalkajaka, insisting that it is a site of supernatural events (3). In the Black Mountain, there were multiple accounts of inexplicable disappearances of humans and creatures. In 1877, the first recorded departure of European Settlers happened. After learning all the experiences and researching about the place I hope to see even if I can come across any such experience or animals but the experience did not make me do it. However, I decided to visit the towns located in the coastal areas to know more about the place and its changes.

According to the reports of the Census, Black Mountain generally possesses only 1,444 inhabitants. According to them they have not faced any such mysterious events but enjoyed living there since the changes it brings to the environment were breathtaking. Even I also found the place to be extremely beautiful, peaceful, and a place where one can live and also flood-free. The ambiance available in the place is certainly something else because once you reach there, the place is high away from the rising sea levels and the view of the mountains just takes away the extraordinary stories related to it. Though according to researchers (4), relevant natives and animals were seen previously in the place, with the lush green surroundings along with the rain forests, the transformation of that being a beautiful place is quite evident.

Week 2

There’s a world, darker than I imagined,

With smoldering rocks, peeling off like onion skin.

I wonder if I could go, and discover what lies beneath.

An array of stories, coated with mystery.

Kalajaka land of spears, are you welcoming?

I will deliver If respect is what you need.

I heard it’s dreadful, I might fall and not keep

Your valleys hold mystery, no one can yet reveal.

I’d pray to the spirits, and converse with the wind.

I see you from far, hearing stories of your past

People worship and hold you in regard.

Shadows fall down, while the lights clamber

You must be a beauty, a darkened tattoo

All that staggering heights, Surrounded by green.

They say you have evil, but how could that be.

Magnificent boulders of granite, beckoning to each.

Inspiring fear and awe, a touch of mystery

They say you engulfed the explorers,

whole mobs of cattle disappearing in your labyrinth

thermal current and distortions, is it impossible to fly past your peak?

What are the chances that I might get lot?

 Seeing the way they talk about your land standing so tall.

I have to write, write about all the things I see and make it come alive in my dreams.

The sprawling black that shimmers in the sun, turning to inky black of the night.

Theres a spot far from your view, or maybe not standing so tall you might have seen it all.

I sit n that café, look at you with hopeful eyes , hoping one day I could climb.

See the world through your eyes, deep down in the valley where flying foxes hide.

I heard you have caves, oh my word? Do you take hostages and people to distant worlds?

Hot rocks coated with algae why is it that you never shed.

There are stories and myths that follow your name, such a magnificent view, oh shame.

You reach high up the landscape touching the clouds,

Misty morning must be so sound.

What is that you hold that people are entrenched give us a little reprieve

Tell us your secret.

The talented artists can never know what there, you keep it to yourself.

I look at you with withering eyes, my eyes seek what you might.

Let us see the haunted crevices of what you hide.

I can feel the echo whirling flashy-colored coloured foliage through into the branches.

This southing melody calms my worried thoughts.

Songs, creatures, and earthy noises are vivid and hang in the breeze.

Existence is all around me, and I can touch, sense, and experience it.

Its air is pure, crispy, and clean, making it simple to breathe.

 Now, in this environment, I sense as if I possess everything I need.

Here really is a sense of calm surrounding and within me.

Heaven’s influence appears to be all around me.

Metamorphic rocks, yirmmbal and all

Pray upon them, no spirits will deem you mean.

Respect the lands, the aboriginals hold so high in regard

For here it is their land

So sacred, it just looks charred.

Fires have burned many times, carrying the wispy smoke to far lands

They are the people who guard your secrets, wishing upon banishment

That anyone dares to break.

For them its your sanctity, so pleasing and calm.

I wish I could share what I see,

 from down below you are mighty steep.

What would happen if I step onto your grounds?

Will I be discarded as the European’s long gone?

Don’t let me disappear just yet. I will keep your secrets and have my share.

Bellow out to you,

I will thread my words carefully.

Each step taken on your sacred grounds.

Ill tred lightly, for I have been taught,

Of disappearances that are not found, of lingering myths

And so many norms.

Who’s that dear, that keeps exploring your svelte

Nothing goes past you, standing so tall in all your glare.

I try to find that human that lies under your rocks,

Mountain of insecurities and strange names to their tale.

Old old mountain,

casting your shadows upon the sinners down there.

At peace in the mountains,

Nobody to care.

I shall come to sit at your feet, tell you stories, of all the adventures I have had elsewhere.

We can be sharers of secrets for I have lots. Will you be willing now that’s all I have got.

One day, Maybe I will take a leap,

Climb upon your vast expanse

Left -right-left-left right again. Singing along the as I climb, a birdsong.

Will you be welcoming and not let me fall?

Ill sink with my breath, snickering in the delirium

People keep telling, the mountain is not your friend

But black ha been my favorite and black has it all.

Engulfing us in all the mystic falls.

I shall meet the flying fox, greet him as a friend.

 if I get afraid please let us not share.

I can jest, I can jest.

 For that’s all I know to push away the fear and leap at your nest.

 References

1. Davidson I, Burke H, Sullivan L, Wallis LA, Artym U, Barker B. Cultural conflict in text and materiality: the impact of words and lead on the northwest Queensland colonial frontier, Australia. World Archaeology. 2019 Oct 20;51(5):724-40.
2. Cooper, W.E. and Forster, P.I., 2021. Aglaia monticola WE Cooper & PI Forst.(Meliaceae), a new species for Queensland’s Wet Tropics.
3. Reside AE, Critchell K, Crayn DM, Goosem M, Goosem S, Hoskin CJ, Sydes T, Vanderduys EP, Pressey RL. Beyond the model: expert knowledge improves predictions of species’ fates under climate change. Ecological Applications. 2019 Jan;29(1):e01824.
4. Cooper WE, Forster PI. Aglaia monticola WE Cooper & PI Forst.(Meliaceae), a new species for Queensland’s Wet Tropics.