The last time I’d been up Mount Oakleigh, I’d climbed it to the point where you get a good view and called it a day.
As such, I’d never really counted Oakleigh as a mountain I’d been to the top of - it was instead one of many in the “sorta” column: climbed, but not really.
So since I was passing through, I figured 2023 was the time to move it once and for all from “sorta” to done.
Problem was I almost didn’t climb it properly again!
So many more mountains!
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Find all the walks from that series here
The day started like it usually does: breakfast, coffee, slowly getting ready.
Eventually I was off, down the stairs of New Pelion Hut and off along the board walk and obvious track headed for the base of Oakleigh.
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/MtOakleigh.jpg)
It’s very easy walking and the views are lovely across the Pelion Plains
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/BarnBluff.jpg)
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/MtPelionWest2.jpg)
Once you hit Oakleigh’s base, it’s pretty much a solid climb until you get to the saddle in the middle before you turn west to walk along the cliffs.
I did accidentally wander off the track a few times, but easily found my way back again pretty quickly.
Then, in the distance, I saw a big pile of rocks. “Ahhh,” I though. “The summit finally - but much quicker than I thought!”
I was quite proud with myself for making the top so quickly. I looked around, took some photos, and looked some more as the clouds lifted higher and higher.
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/IMG_8494.jpeg)
After I while, I started back again - covering the distance along the top plateau quickly.
Then I stopped. I thought back to how I’d managed to get up so quickly. I thought how I was looking at the map the night before and saw the “actual” summit was tucked back behind from where you can see from New Pelion Hut.
I pulled out my map, and realised I hadn’t actually been at the proper top!
“Shit,” I said out loud as I turned and started walking back to where I just came from.
Turns out the top top is 800 or so meters to the north of the big pile of rocks. It’s not a particularly hard extra bit of walking, but I suppose it must be done if one is to properly move it from the “sorta” column.
Eventually, I got there.
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/IMG_8496.jpeg)
It’s worth it. The views are lovely and a bit different from the first place I’d been.
In fact, it was rather fortunate.
I got extra time exploring on top of an awesome mountain that is so lovely to look at when you have the privilege of staying around the Pelion Plains!
And I got to finally move the mountain from “sorta” to “done”. :)
But while it might be “done”, I hope it’s not the last time I get to visit this one. A delightful and fun trip.
Trip map1
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/oakleigh-map.png)
Elevation map
![](/posts/2023-01-08-oakleigh-finally-just/oakleigh-elevation.png)