Well, another season has passed..

And with this the efforts of short days & cold nights!

A busy season it has been, with many life’s projects being built, polished and refined.

Being able to get out and climb 2-3 days a week is most certainly a continued blessing.

Here the journey of trying challenging routes and boulders has continued as the overall progress in this unique discipline has been substantial without the measure of ticking or ongoing sending.

Coming to realise in recent years, the true gratitude of been able to continue to try and push my limits on a weekly basis, taking my time to enjoy every step and looking after the body and mind comes before all else in this practice.

Enjoying day’s out in the mountains with likeminded people, sharing wholesome banter and a belly full of laughs whilst being able to focus when it counts is where true satisfaction lies.

An early morning run on the cool sands of the beach, solitary time to reflect before a day in the hustle and bustle of the city, followed by an evenings boulder in one of the many suburbs of Sydney. Efforts made & time spent as the journey of growth continues..

As Spring has sprung into action, energies unfold and burst forth from within.
Seeking the light from the depths, rising tall once again.

May you too go forth with intention and momentum.
Let the tides of life be gentle upon your being.
Go forth and conquer all that is you!

🌟Thanks for reading🌟

‘Seasons of Change’
Before moving into the backyard, I would venture to the local park to partake in weekly calisthenic/cross training, from mid summer to mid winter and around again.
Here is some of the progress over the years from learning new movements to refining what was previously learned. It really is a great feeling to see steady progress through regular practice. Whichever your dedication!
Like everything in life, if you put in the effort, be consistent, stay focused, and enjoy every step, for you may eventually realise that it is the journey that matters as perhaps there is no end..

The past 10 weeks have been spent preparing for an upcoming trip to Espania.
This past year has primarily been boulder focused, so it has been good to change direction a little and incorporate some more power-endurance based training and of course plenty of Cross/Calisthenic Training.

I started with Cross/Calisthenic training about 5 years ago and have made consistent efforts and progress since. It is something which I really enjoy and have noticed great gains from. Perhaps not directly climbing related, however it sets an extremely strong base and helps to eliminate many muscle & body imbalances. Not only this, but is crosses over into other aspects of life with great overall benefits and well being.

Once again the most important ingredient is motivation.  Nothing is achieved without it, period!  The best ascpect about these types of training exercises is their great versatility in regards to personal growth, variety, time & space needed.
There are literally 1000’s of techniques and exercises that can be utilised by anyone of any age, fitness and skill level. From there on, its progression at your own pace.
Equipment is minimal and possibilities are endless. A little creativity will certainly go a long way. 1 hour is all you need to get a well rounded workout. Do this several times per week and you will be on the road to better health, strength and muscle balance.

Weighted Climbing:
“Oh dear” you say, “isn’t that dangerous for the body and joints”?
Well here is the thing, like everything else, time is the most important ingredient.
The three P’s should always be your guide. Practice, Patience and Perseverence!
Start slowly, go easy & make adjustments as needed.
Try to control your environment as much as possible by getting to know the movements of your chosen climbing and what is required of your body. Warm up, warm up warm up.  This type of training is certainly not for everyone and should be approached with caution. It can however reap great results for those that do their research and listen to their bodies..

Diet:
Not dieting!
Eat well, sleep well and train well.
Something a lot of people only discover the importance of much later on.
I would love to be able to recommend what is best, however I’m not you and you are not me. This is possibly the trickiest of all things to work out and fine tune, but most certainly one of the most vital for best life and sports performance.

One of my favourite Spring/Summer breakfasts. Cooked red quinoa with sea salt, cinnamon & coconut cream. Ground hazel nuts and seasonal fruit!

Remember, the path and journey is yours to create and enjoy.

Have courage and reach for the stars.

There is always something special about walking along single lane roads which are hundreds of years old, made entirely of cobblestones. Surrounded by buildings that have endured the ages. With their stone plated roofs and aged wooden exteriors. Detailed to the very window fittings which are decorated by a colourful array of seasonal flowers.  Days where often filled wandering curiously through these Swiss Villages, with much appreciation for their sense of warmth and homeliness.

Climbing day’s on the other hand where spent in the Valley of Ferrera, a small but mighty place, with of some of the finest boulders Switzerland has to offer.  I am extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to return once more..

Having mixed feelings about the impact from people on this Magical Place, taking great care to minimise my very own footsteps, realising that I too am part of this wear and tear and its inevitable change.  Grateful still to Thomas and Nettida Saluz from Bodhi Climbing and Gasthaus Edelweiss for their ongoing hard work and endless efforts to maintain and keep Magic Wood open for all to enjoy..

This journey was more than just about grappling with rock, although there was plenty of that too.

Taking every day as it came, resting when I needed and trying hard when I wanted.

I embraced every moment and paid attention to every detail. Every subtle change around me, the land, the people. The seasons changing, one leaf at a time, a reflection of myself, my inner peace and transformation..

Here a short video of my journey to and in Switzerland with some experiences summed up in but a blink of an eye, including my final days attempt at one of the coolest boulders I have had the opportunity to climb on, Riverbed 8b/V13

Winter has come around once more, as too have the words on this page..
Life’s moments become but a distant memory as the details wash over each other.
Yet we continue to push forwards, for a better world, inside and out, here and now!

Towards the end of last year Luke, Cairo and I ventured to the Grampians National Park, to make the most of what was meant to be a stellar time of year.  In search of adventure into the partially unknown, searching for climbing that one dreams about through the darkness night.  Without doubt this is what we found. The horizon was filled with some of the best sandstone on this earth, heaven to say at the least.  We quickly found a very suitable and convenient camp, not far from where we would explore the hollows and valleys beyond.  The first week started with high motivation as we set our sights and scaled numerous walls and boulders alike.  The weather was impeccable and the gods smiled upon us..
A short lived experience, as we then spent the majority of our time with what was a very unusual and most hindering heat-wave.  The days where no longer crisp, as we now struggled to keep our cool, with our energy reserves where being cooked alive.
The unpredictability of the weather is what often gives this unique outdoor sport an edge that one can only gracefully embrace.  This did not stop us from doing some most amazing climbing and being a part of what is timelessness itself.  Taking some great footage we made a short film to replenish our minds when the memories begin to fade into the distance. Check it our here:

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2016 came around the corner and was soon in the rear view mirror as the cycle of time continues.
I had one goal in mind for this year to come. To be the best version of myself!
What that exactly is, I am still working on, but on the short hand it includes, eating healthy, staying positive, sleeping early and rising early.

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When I try, I try hard. When I rest, I rest well. Letting motivation take me to the place it desires the most.
This might all seem well and easy, but I can assure you that life itself proves its own challenge day after day. Patience, Practice and Persistence, as always are my closest ally on the path that I have chosen.

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With no immediate travel in sight, the year so far has proved positively challenging in many ways.
Allas my inner traveller is getting restless and eager to head out into the vast world and explore the unknown. For now weekly trips to Sydney will have to be satisfactory enough until the time comes once more…

I am grateful for everyone that has shared some steps with me along the way, for your support, encouragement and enlightenment.

May our paths meet again so we can once more share in wisdom, humour and motivation.

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As winter came upon us, so did the friction that we all so crave.
The Rock was no longer slick with spooge and allowed skin to fully grip each grain & crease.

One of the prime times to head to the big smoke.
Sydney offers countless so called micro crags with hundreds of top quality boulder lines.
With these right at the doorstep it would be rude not to make the effort!

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                                                              Mushi Brain V11/8a

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Many missions were undertaken in search of never ending climbing goals..
Some solo and some in the good graces of others.

As the mountains were covered with a blanket of white, the foothills came greeting with their warm breeze and mild temps.

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                                                          The Pusher V12/8a+

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Chosen wisely the Blue Mountains offers some of the best experiences for winters climbing in the sun. But be aware the beast of winters deep lingers in the shadows nearby.

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                                                              Yo Mama V11/8a

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Allas who could resist the sweet taste sensations from the the Milkwood Bakery in Berry. Still the best the heavens have to offer!

And so back to the underworld of burning rubber & cursed words to Nowra we drifted. Tasting the steep nectar of pure white dotted chalky sandstone cliffs with the ever so lingering smell of some sort a glue accompanied by the not all too distant thumping of jackhammers…

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                                                                Beef Meister 32/8b+

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Winter has ceased to be, as the seasons cycle once again.
This time to come will belong to those who seize the day..

“At some distance in the direction ahead” .

As South we travelled in search of blue skies, a cool breeze & world class rock climbing..

12 hours later we arrived in the Grampians National Park, to find exactly that!!.

As the days ensued we lugged, thrashed & carried ourselves, each other & countless kilos of crash-pads, climbing gear & filming equipment across the never ending sea of rocky slabs stretching far into the distance.

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Cairo Hazel on the FA of “Pingu’s Last Stand” V9

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We sweated, screamed & bleed as much as possible in order to get in touch with our primitive & feel every molecule of our existence.

Only to return back to camp with our last ounces of remaining energy and the final rays fleeting on the far horizon.

Taking rest days only to lick our wounds & grow fresh skin to be ready for the next sacrifice..

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“Who’s a Naughty Boy” 8b

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The days grew dark..

As the mist rolled over the mountain, we huddled closer to the fire licking at our souls.

Loosing not even our motivation, we endured with strength found from the very depth of our existence.

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Matt Burnett on “Lazy Mooneli” V10

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The rock gave friction as the air have us wind..

Our fingertips tingling we climbed until the rock was stained with the very dark red essence from which we are made.

As the sky cleared our days where numbered with the inevitable end to this incredible journey in our lives..

So we laughed into the night’s darkest hour, rising for our final days with a blanket of white frost covering the earth beneath us. 

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With much excitement on our efforts made, we returned to the place from whence we came.

Thankful for all that we shared & experienced in a place so vast & full of beauty…  

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