Huge, rounded chunks of rock litter the summit of this peak, granite boulders sculpted into soft curves by millions of years of erosion, the steady and relentless work of wind, rain and the acidic chemical secretions of lichen.
Balancing Rock is just the most spectacular, perhaps 20 feet high, balancing on an ever-narrowing base, connected to the mountain by just a few square feet of common stone. It looks like it could go at any second.
The winds howls up here and you have the sense that if you turn away you might miss the rock being blown over.
The whole nation park is littered with granite chunks like this. There are mounds of house-sized boulders at every turn. It looks like Bedrock down-under. Spectacular, but just an appetizer I think for the main meal to come later in the trip; Uluru, The Olgas, Kings Canyon and the wild landscape of the country's true "Red Center."
There is no picture I can send that really shows what this climb was like. The wind was really blowing and the last 150 yards or so to the top is staight up, polished, exposed granite. Stand up straight (if you can!), put your arm out in front of you and you can touch the rock in front of you with the slightest lean. There is no thought of turning around on this slope and retreating. Just facing the wall and climbing step-by-step is dizzying enough. We somehow manage to miss the dotted trail up the slightly gentler incline and go right up the face. Later. On the descent we will crab-walk on our hands and feet, inching down on our butts with our forearms and hamstrings and calves singing a joyous song of adventure.
What a day.

Note: Allen Shauffler is sending dispatches from the World Masters Games in Sydney.