The fallout from the climbing bans in the Grampians/Gariwerd feels like it has progressed much like the fabled five stages of grief following a trauma: denial, anger, bargaining and depression; we don’t yet think we’re at acceptance. Mostly it feels like everything has spiralled out of control and broken apart into an ugly mess. Maybe it didn’t need to be this way; maybe it was always going to be this way. Here at VL, it’s fair to say that we…

In the lead up to Tommy and Kevin’s shows in Australia, Dave Barnes has set a simulator of the dyno on ptch 16  (5.14c/34) at Rockit climbing gym in Hobart. To conjure the right level of psych for the move, and in ‘to-be-like-your-hero-think-like-your-hero’ tradition, here he waxes lyrical about the move and the moment. History has a way of drawing straight lines crookedly. Pitch 16 on The Dawn Wall is crowded with new climbing history and what follows focuses on…

A recent visit to the Grampians/Gariwerd got Ross Taylor wondering about the effect the climbing bans are having on visitation and local businesses. And with Mt Arapiles set to go through the same process at the Grampians, it is natural to fear what impact this may have on the town of Natimuk. A couple of weekends ago during the long weekend here in Victoria I pitched up to the Bleachers near Halls Gap. I arrived at 11am and was surprised to find the…

The field of contenders for the coveted spots on the Australian Olympic climbing team is thickening, we have a quick chat with Tom O’Halloran who has recently declared his hand. We saw that you recently announced that you were planning to try and get an Olympic spot, why have you decided to make this a goal? I first saw the Olympics when I was eight years old and I watched the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. I was blown…

Guy Cotter, the CEO of Adventure Consultants, reflects on the current state of affairs on the world’s highest – and seemingly busiest summit – Mt Everest The image of the crowds on the summit ridge was not good for the reputation of Everest or of mountaineering in general. I have fielded numerous media calls these last few days as people all over the world are wondering what is going on up there. The reality is that there are large groups…