La Sportiva TX Canyon
I've not exactly been an early adopter when it's come to canyon shoes. It took me years to move away from the old Dunlop Volleys, and like most former users I'll have to own up to waxing far too lyrical, far too loudly, and on far too many occasions about their capacity to stick to slimy rock. When I finally did move it was to a generic trail running/walking/canyoning shoe (La Sportiva Raptor) which worked pretty well for most of my outdoor pursuits and had pretty

Summit Gear Solitary 35 Ultralight
There’s a bit of a knack in building a good pack, and it's probably as much an art as a science. A good pack can be simple - little more than a sack with straps - but still be comfortable and durable. A bad pack can have all the bells and whistles - a pocket, strap, or clip for every conceivable eventuality - but still be unwieldly and unusable.
I mention all of this because it's difficult to articulate why the Solitary 35 is a nice pack. Trust

Who is this course for:

Does climbing in the gym leave you wanting more? Need to feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your back? If you’ve been dreaming of climbing outdoors or have made the transition and want to solidify your skills, read on.

This course focuses on technical roping skills so you don't have to crank or climb a certain grade.  Our instructors talk to all participants before the course. We’ll ask you about your experience,

Two of our Instructor's, both coincidently named Hugh, have been out to the back of the Wolgan recently on great adventure.
The line between recreational and work climbing is often difficult for us to tread, and so generally we leave a big separation between the two. In this instance though, we think the trip is educational, inspiring, and a hell of a good yarn! So we have decided to share Hugh's trip report, unedited from it's original FB format.
Enjoy.
So I went climbing

Blue Mountains climbing: striking orange sandstone, soft blue haze hanging in the valley, breathtaking views, funky moves and . . . what’s that hunk of metal sticking out of the rock?
Image credit: jive-assanchors.com
If you're new to climbing you might not have come across a carrot bolt yet, but they were once ubiquitous across the Blue Mountains. While you can find ring bolts, fixed hangers and U bolts all around the world, carrots are a local specialty.
Nowadays

There's more to belaying than locking off, feeding out slack and knowing how to give a soft catch. As a belayer, part of your job is to act as a second pair of eyes for your climber. Once they leave the ground you may have a better view of some parts of the climb than they do - especially when they are pumped and strung out mid-crux.
But what exactly are you looking out for? Here are a few things to keep front of mind when you’re belaying:
Leg behind the rope
This is of

Winter Climbing in the Blue Mountains 
We are fortunate to be able to climb year-round in the Blue Mountains. A big part of what makes this possible is the sheer number of crags with different aspects, different angles and different levels of exposure to the wind. In the summer we seek out shady caves in gullies that catch the afternoon breeze, and in the winter we flock to sun-soaked crags to enjoy the golden winter light.
Here are some of our favourite winter sun-traps for

The short answer is: anytime!  One of the great things about the Blue Mountains is that you really can rock climb year round.  It's all about knowing where to go.
The longer answer is that prime climbing conditions are in the shoulder seasons (March - May and September-November).  This is when you're most likely to find those stellar days of crisp, cool air, clear skies, flawless friction and fine temperatures that mean you can climb wherever you want without hiding from the rain

When most people think of mixed climbing they think of crampons, ice axes, rock and ice.  Mixed climbing in the Blue Mountains serves up something a little different . . .
On your harness is a selection of trad gear, bolt plates and quickdraws.  You’re squinting into the distance trying to spot a trad placement or a carrot bolt.  Maybe you’re run out on sandy rock, standing on a shrub and calling down to your belayer to check if you’re on the right route.  Welcome to mixed

One of the most common questions people ask us here is ‘what’s the difference between top rope, sport, traditional climbing?’
When you’re new to climbing it can feel like travelling to a new country where everyone is speaking a foreign language.
Today we’re going to translate three of the most popular styles of climbing in Australia: top tope, sport and traditional climbing.
Top rope climbing
Top rope climbing is the style of climbing you