The Weyrbowl Rim
The Rim is a favourite hang out around the weyr. The adventurous, the lonely and angst-filled or those out walking their whers or canines often are found wandering the 'edge' with it's spectacular views over the weyrbowl and out towards the ocean. From the air, the Rim of the crater looks rather thin atop the thick basalt cliffs and slopes of the weyr. In reality, this is deceptive. The average width of this thin edge is at least the size of a large field if not more and the incline towards the holdside of the crator is rough but passable.. The weyr edge of the Rim is precipitous to say the least filled. There have been falls and injuries and the like and as a result a sizeable wall was built all the way around the Rim with much of the proceeds of the Island treasure to try and prevent fatalities. As the Holdside of the crater is much more gradual this is the area where a lot of the weyrfolk do a lot of their walking or impromptu hunting, as the wooded and shrubby covered slope provides a lot of cover for game. There are known trails up to the Rim. The principle one starts on the Holdside outside a little above the Candidate barracks . It is still a sheer enough area at this point that the direct route up required there to be series of steps and slopes to reach the top. Even so the height is gain fairly swiftly. There is a more gentle route up that follows the natural incline of the land heading north which is longer but less arduous. Both these routes bring the walker out on the south-west top edge of the Rim, where you can turn and look over the weyrbowl and see the ocean spread out before you glittering in the southern sun. Needless to say sunsets and sunrise from this vantage point are spectacular. You can walk all the way around to the watch points over looking the Ocean on this side and the other way as well up to the waterfall cascade. Coming up to the Waterfall itself, the terrain becomes more difficult and less well travelled. To actually get there you need to climb amongst rocks and you ascend a little bit above the main river that then plummets down over the edge of the Rim in a heavy mass of glittering water and rainbows. The terrain behind the explorer and the weyrbowl is nearly level with the top edge of the weyr and extends back into the protecotrate towards foothills and mountains and a mixture of wooded and scrub grass area's. A little way back from head of the waterfall (about quarter of a mile), the river pushed through a narrow stretch where it picks up the speed and momemtum that makes it spectacular. Across this, a rope and wooden slat bridge is often in evidence. Not always because if there are sudden rains or snow melt in the mountains the resulting surge is usually enough to make the river burst it's banks and wash it away. You can then get to the other side of the weyr and walk the Rim that way. There is a similar access to the Rim on that side as well but it is much less used and less known. At the Ocean end of the Rim are the watch points where those on watch duty
settle along with the Star Stones on the eastern side. There is actually over towards the north-west of the rim quadranta jutting
out almost Plateau level. On here is the Arolos Point Lookout cothold. This
is sometime used by the Holders to light a beacon fire for Ships coming into
Arolos Bay. Arolos Point is often use by the Weyrlings as their first visualisation along with the Star Stones. All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright© Anne McCaffrey 1967,2005, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern® is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. |