Woke to be greeted with two alarming discoveries this morning. Firstly, according to the altimeter on my watch, we were -7 metres under sea level. Having ascertained that this was just due to an overnight change in pressure, rather than a sudden rise in sea level, I checked the thermometer which was reading 1 degree… Read more

There are loads of big routes to go at on ‘The Watchtower Face’ of Mt Arapiles. We chose to climb the classic route ‘Arachness’ (Grade 9). Because it’s ‘off-season’ for most climbers around here, it’s amazing to have such a huge expanse of cliffs and barely anyone else around. It was very peaceful walking in… Read more

‘The Baird’ (Ozzy Grade 12), is one of the most famous and popular routes in Australia and justifiably so. Today we got to go and see for ourselves on the journey that weaves its way up these steep cliffs. Four long pitches of sustained climbing, with some intermittent on and off showers just to add… Read more

It was a cold, cold night! Hats on in bed! The wind shook the van and the rain battered down on us, but when dawn broke, all was still, clear and fresh. And to begin with, still cold. It took a few steaming hot mugs of hot lemon and the first rays of direct sunlight… Read more

Off on the open road, in search of the world famous ‘Mt Arapiles’ Rock climbing area!  Many many birthdays ago, Aunty Norah gave me a photographic book called ‘Top Climbs of the World’. In a kind of un- planned, yet sub-conscious way, it turns out I’ve slowly been ticking my way through it. I had… Read more

We’re now officially ‘on the road’! We packed up our belongings from the luxurious Boorman Residence this morning and got a ride with Ian back into the city to pick up the van that will be our home for the summer (well, winter technically I suppose). Thanks to more outrageously generous hosting, Ian took us… Read more