Innholdsfortegnelse for Autumn 2025 i Vertical Life

Vertical Life acknowledges that we live, work, recreate and climb on stolen land, and that sovereignty was never ceded. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians across Australia and Aotearoa, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the continuing connection of all First Nations peoples to Country and Culture across all lands and waterways since time immemorial, and reaffirm our commitment to reflection, reconciliation and solidarity. Issue #50 of Vertical Life was printed on Wangal Country.…

Snorkelling on the reef, barbies on the beach, rainforest wanders and… bouldering? Climbing generally doesn't come to mind when you think of Cairns. Sure, the Wet Tropics probably isn't geographically perfect for hard bouldering, but if you’re looking for the adventure of a climbing holiday, it might be the place for you. Bouldering legend and Ambassador for The North Face, Callum Mather, takes us on a tour of some lesser known gems found near his home turf. Far North Queensland hosts a pretty diverse range of rock types—generally some form of granite or metamorphosed mudstone, which vary in quality depending on the area. The highest grain lies on the Atherton Tablelands, but the freshwater creeks will make it worth your while. A day at Emerald or Davies Creek will treat…

In Aussie and NZ cinemas from March, Reel Rock 19 showcases three world-premiere climbing films spanning disciplines, characters, and continents: a heartfelt story of second chances in love and climbing on Squamish’s legendary Cobra Crack; an outrageous 18-day big wall epic on Patagonia’s towering Torre Central; and the pursuit of a lifelong dream—a 5.15 first ascent—made possible by an unlikely partnership. THE FILMS DEATH OF VILLAINS A former child climbing-prodigy confronts his struggle with disordered eating to attempt his life-long dream of climbing a groundbreaking 5.15 first ascent, with the help of an unlikely, and controversial partner. Featuring: Kai Lightner and Joe Kinder RIDERS ON THE STORM Three Belgian big-wallers endure 18 days of howling snowstorms, frozen feet, and gnarly runouts in their attempt to make a long-coveted alpine first…

Climbing has been a constant in my life, though it’s threaded through a lot of chaos. I’ve weathered marriages, battled alcoholism, and cared for my mother through her final days as she succumbed to dementia. When she passed, my then-wife and I came to Arapiles to decompress from everything. For years, I fit climbing around my life, but after fate had thrown its hardest punches—the death of my parents, upheaval of COVID, and trying to rebuild myself through a 12-step program—I found myself at a crossroads. I came to Arapiles because, frankly, nowhere else felt safe or even appealing anymore. One rainy day, I arrived at The Pines. It was practically deserted—just a few campers huddled under a big gypsy tent. The rain was torrential, so we stayed put and…

I was 18, fresh off getting my license, and clueless about climbing. There were no gyms to practice in, no instructors to guide us. My mate and I packed up the car with old gear and youthful optimism, eager to see what climbing was all about. Our first climb was a route called Minimus. At grade 13, it seemed approachable for two complete beginners. The guidebook’s warning—“ideal for deflating beginners”—barely registered. We were too busy tying together two frayed old sailing ropes to form a questionable top-rope system. What could go wrong? Miraculously, the rope held, though it’s safe to say our egos didn’t. Back at the base, nursing our wounds, we spotted a group of seasoned climbers scrambling up toward the Bluffs. Intrigued, we decided to follow them. One…

If you’ve read a few of my reviews, you’ll know my biggest pet peeve with climbing tops is a combination of short sleeves (especially with my ape index) and short hems, which inevitably causes it to untuck from my harness mid-route. For this reason, I’ve always championed pieces like the Patagonia R1 pullover (and long may it reign supreme). But I must say, I’m starting to come around to vests—after all, sleeves can’t be too short if they don’t exist! Being an ‘SL’ (Superlight) piece, I expected the Atom SL vest to size quite snugly, but when the large arrived I was practically swimming in it. Thankfully Arc’teryx swapped it for a medium, which fit perfectly. Comparing it to the Nano-Air Light vest (Patagonia’s equivalent), they’re an almost identical cut,…

THE JANJA COLLECTION Few athletes reach the kind of legendary status that permits them to be known outside of their sport, the best example of this is probably Michael Jordan, whose name and achievements (and shoes) are recognised even by those who confuse a three-pointer with a touchdown (which was me about two google searches ago). Well after 45 World Cup victories, 8 World Championships, and two Olympic gold medal winning “masterclasses”, Janja is well on her way to achieving such status (or arguably already has). The Janja line is an exclusive collaboration between between C.A.M.P. and Janja Garnbret, featuring some crowd favourite products with a new look and what we’re calling the ‘Air Janja’ emblem. *Disclaimer: Elite level climbing not guaranteed. RRP: Priceless Available at Climbinganchors.com.au LA SPORTIVA TX4…

Much like the mythical pink Totem (smaller than the black, more stonking than a pink tricam) or #21 Camalot (which BD did jokingly make), a bigger Aeropress has been one of those products that’s discussed and requested far too much not to exist. Thankfully Aeropress finally gave in, releasing the ‘XL’ model at just over double the size and capacity of a normal Aeropress. And so instead of bickering over who gets the first brew of the morning like usual, we can just make a big brew for two people and argue about something else instead (like whether Totem will ever release that pink cam). It’s worth noting that the Xl is also a bit girthier than the normal Aeropress, meaning it requires different-sized filter papers and accessories. This is…

"I climb the best when I’m having fun. I mean, life’s just better when you’re having fun, right?" Oceana Mackenzie—AKA Oce—says with a smile. Speaking to me from Switzerland, she’s recovering from a flu that’s temporarily sidelined her European training regime. But there’s no sign of it dampening her determination. That commitment to balancing hard work with joy is at the core of Oceana’s approach to climbing. And it’s clearly working: at just 22, she’s already competed in two Olympic Games and multiple World Cups, carving out her place as a trailblazer for Aussie climbing and quickly inspiring the next generation of climbers. Oce’s climbing journey began thanks to her older sisters. "My mum had done a little climbing at school, but when my sisters got into it, I wanted…

Loyal Reel Rock fans will remember Kai Lightner as a teen sensation in Young Guns (Reel Rock 11, 2016) who featured alongside Ashima Shiraishi as one of the upcoming leaders of the new generation of climbing. A lot has happened for Kai in the last nine years. Firstly, he got a lot bigger. Coming from a family with a genetic bent towards growing tall and stocky, he started to question whether he was cut out for a career as professional climber. “A lot of people figured that I would outgrow the sport—that was the assumption of a lot of coaches and people at the highest levels of climbing,” Kai explains. “And as a child I internalised that.” What followed was a battle with disordered eating, and stepping away from competitive…

Five years after my first visit to Mount Arapiles, I made a life-changing decision. I left my corporate job to pursue a career as a climbing guide, driven by a desire to connect more deeply with the landscapes and communities that had shaped me. Over the next nine years, Melbourne Climbing School became a cornerstone of the climbing community. In 2023, an opportunity arose that would redefine my work. Chris Peisker, owner of The Climbing Company Natimuk, was preparing to close its doors. Rather than let this vital hub for young participants in the sport disappear, I stepped in to take it over. Overnight, my small business transformed. I went from running courses solo to leading a team of guides. While we continued offering technical skills courses, the focus shifted…

I began climbing at Arapiles and plan to keep climbing here as long as I possibly can. Now that I'm retired, I come here every other week through winter. It’s a bit of a ritual. I always try to park and pitch my tent in the same place. It’s almost like home. Each time I pack up the tent, even knowing I’ll return in a week, there’s still a bit of a wrench when I leave. At Arapiles, you meet so many people. I’m happy to climb with whoever comes along. Most people I climb with are younger than my kids. They don’t feel like young people to me—they just feel like people. What’s it like to be 80? You’re very conscious that 90 is only 10 years away. You’ve…

For just a one-time payment of $89.95, you’ll get an AeroPress Go travel coffee maker worth $89.95, plus 8 issues of the magazine worth $111.60, for a total value of $201.55! Save $111.60! First 50 subscribers only! RRP $89.95 WHY SUBSCRIBE? • Never miss an issue + Get FREE delivery to your door • Great gift idea • Cheaper than buying at retail outlets (save up to save $42.40 on a 3-year subscription) • Subscriptions support the climbing creatives on our pages to keep sharing their stories-that’s something to feel good about! The AeroPress Go travel coffee maker is engineered to fuel an active lifestyle. It gives coffee lovers everything they need to conveniently brew superb coffee anywhere. Like the AeroPress Original, the AeroPress Go provides the same great taste…

This issue we are sad to say goodbye to reviewer Daniel Butler who has guided us through a year’s worth of books, podcasts and films—to stay up to date with his adventures, chuck him a follow on the ‘gram at @ausventurer001. But, in happier news, we are thrilled to welcome new reviewer Selene Gittings, a Sydney based climber and dedicated consumer of all climbing media, who has taken on the task of hunting down the very best content to share with us. If you like climbing (to which the answer is most likely yes if you're reading VL) and if you like a murder mystery detective yarn, then you have every reason to read and enjoy The Crag by Claire Sutherland. The novel starts with Skye, a local Arapiles climber,…

Belgium might not be known for its mountains—the highest peak is under 700 metres—but that didn’t discourage these three Belgium big-wallers from taking on the 1,200-metre, 41-pitch Patagonian peak, Riders on the Storm. Siebe Vanhee, in his first Reel Rock appearance, sets out with climbers Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll and Nico Favresse, along with US climber and photographer Drew Smith. Siebe had previously tried the route with a different team in 2023, and was determined to return to freeclimb it. He says the film shows not just the 18 days spent on the wall “with the usual challenging weather and many doubts if we would make it to the summit or not” but covers the team and their dynamics. “It will not be a classic chronological ‘expedition’ documentary,” Siebe explains. “Every…

My whole life is climbing. Climbing has given me everything: friendships, physical exercise, mental exercise, a reason to travel, work, a connection to nature, community, and it’s tested my limits in so many ways. I started climbing when I was 20 years old. I’m now 66. I first came to Arapiles in 1978, just a few months into climbing. I looked up at a climb that I now know is called Skink (18). I remember thinking, ‘Gee, I wonder if anyone can climb that!?’ It all looked so impossible and improbable. My boyfriend at the time, Kym Smith, led the first pitch of Arachnus (grade 9), and I led the second. It goes through this overhang section with big jugs, and then eventually the wall blanks out. There’s no protection.…