Vertical Life

Vertical Life is a climbing magazine in Australasia, available in both digital and print options. Here at Vertical Life we love climbing, be it beanied bouldering, clip-up sportclimbing, old-school daddy-tradding, big-wall suffering, alpine extremism, spandex-clad competition climbing, desperate-times-call-for-desperate-measures buildering, the lot – if it involves monkey business we will cover it.

Vertical Life

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

ACCESS, REFLECTIONS, looking forward

OPEN LETTER • CLIMBING AT ARAPILES / DYURRITE

REFLECTIONS ON ARAPILES • Simon Madden, one of VL’s founders and former editors, reflects on what years spent climbing at Arapiles means to him.

Read • STATES OF ADVENTURE: 30 OUTDOOR ADVENTURE STORIES ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF

Watch • THE MOUNTAIN QUEEN (LHAKPA SHERPA)

Listen • BABSI AND JACOPO: THE FLAME BURNS BRIGHT, CLIMBING GOLD PODCAST

Rose WELLER (SHE/HER) CANBERRA • Self-described weekend warrior Rose Weller has been quietly ticking off an impressive list of sends while studying to become a doctor. Writer Brooke Nolan was able to grab a sliver of Rose’s spare time to find out what drives her, how she makes such a hectic schedule work and what she plans to do next.

THE ORGAN PIPES, LUTRAWITA/TASMANIA • The Organ Pipes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington boasts a rich climbing history dating back to the 1930s, with bold accents on primitive gear on uncompromising, sustained natural lines to modern, bolt-equipped routes that tackle its wildly exposed aretes and faces. While both styles can contrast very heavily, no matter which era the route is from, they carry a heavy sense of adventure. In this series of images, Hobart local and photographer, Michael Blowers, explores routes from different eras of development on The Organ Pipes.

TALES from the TOTEM • The Totem Pole is one of Australia’s most iconic climbing formations, and it’s easy to capture the classic shot from a well-known vantage point—standing on a ledge, shooting southeast with a wide-angle lens to highlight the full scale of the sea stack. While this image certainly shows off the imposing stature of the sea stack against the rugged coastline, Jack Bryn was after a shot that would evoke a deeper connection, one that would allow the viewer to craft their own narrative about what was unfolding in that moment.

A new climbing scene in Armenia • Armenia isn’t on many people’s radar for climbing, but perhaps it will be soon if Ash has anything to do with it. In August 2024, he and five friends went to develop a new crag in Dilijan National Park, discovering the potential for sport routes with a truly adventurous feel.

Riding the Camel • If you’re obsessed with climbing the longest line you can find—and with summer’s longer daylight this is the time to do it—Mikl has an idea for you. He takes us on a journey up The Camel, a 500 metre route he pioneered a few years back, as he considered what makes something an adventure.

WHY CLIMB? • Mat has scaled everything from plastic in a gym to walls of ice in New Zealand. He reflects on what drew him into the sport he loves, and what keeps him exploring, learning and pushing in the world of climbing.

DREAM BELAYTIONSHIPS what makes a good climbing partner? • Psychologist Kate Baecher examines what makes a climbing partnership work and how to find your perfect match.

THE TURQUOISE GODDESS • Aussie mountaineer Alessandra—previously better known as Allie—is attempting to climb the world’s 14 highest peaks without supplemental oxygen in record time. She reflects on her return to Cho Oyu, seven years after she first summited the mountain, and what she learned from the unexpected journey.

WATCH YOUR HEAD! • Climbing safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s something our editorial team are...