Mont Guide Hoodie Primaloft
I vividly recall my first synthetic jacket (a Montane sample and one of the first synthetic jackets to become available in Australia) a piece that was as much a fashion statement as it was practical gear. Its unique cut and garish navy / orange design set it apart in the climbing, walking, and canyoning circles of Sydney and the Blue Mountains at the time. Despite resulting in more than a few jokes, that jacket was a game-changer in terms of warmth and

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,

Who is this course for:

Anyone with a sense of adventure and the ability to walk into the crag carrying their gear for the day :-). We will tailor the climbs to the abilities of the group and can shake it up so that everyone have fun. We assume no previous climbing experience but if you have been climbing before we will make sure we get you on routes that challenge and excite you!

This course is suitable for most people age 15+. If you are unsure, contact us

Entering the climbing community can seem a bit daunting at times! Not only is there a new language to learn, concepts to try, a million different ways to do things but there’s also the concern that if you get something wrong, either you or the people you are with could get seriously hurt….

It doesn’t need to be this way however. Climbing skills are just that – skills that can be learnt. And there is a natural progression within those skills. Blue

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

Yes, we would! In fact, we do. We love free climbing. We free climb at every opportunity. Which often surprises people. What we don’t do is free-solo. Do you know the difference?
Most of the time when people ask if we free climb, they actually mean ‘do you free-solo?’  Free-soloing is climbing up cliffs without a rope. Recently, climbers like Alex Honnold have become household names (in some households!) for their superhuman feats of free-soloing, climbing

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