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
RENEWING MY CLIMBING Vows
READ WATCH LISTEN
BRIDGE BOYS • It’s that time of year when the Reel Rock Film Tour comes out showcasing the best global climbing films. Vertical Life gets up close and personal with the Wide Boyz about their film “Bridge Boys”, undoubtedly the most unique of this year’s Reel Rock films
REEL ROCK 16
Alpine HIGH • TALES OF SUMMER FA’S IN TASMANIA’S REMOTE SOUTH WEST
West SIDE STORY
Breaking BETA WITH ADAPTIVE CLIMBING VICTORIA
Staring AT THE SEA • MY MOM, WHO DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CLIMBING, USED TO THINK THAT EVERY TIME I WENT TO DHARUG COUNTRY (BLUE MOUNTAINS) I WAS THERE TO CLIMB ROPES RATHER THAN ROCKS. THE DAY I TOOK THESE PHOTOS, I TEXTED HER “MOM, I ACTUALLY ASCENDED A ROPE TODAY… AND IT WAS AMAZING!”
Will VIDLER • HE/THEY, 21, BLUE MOUNTAINS
growing PAINS • The past 12 months have been an incredible period of growth for so many of us in our community, but for none more so than Angie Scarth-Johnson. To celebrate this International Women’s Month, Angie takes us behind the scenes of her epic send of ‘Victimas Del Futur’ (9a / 35) and gives us an insight into what it’s been like growing up as a professional climber. From Australia’s child climbing prodigy, to an incredibly grounded, compassionate and driven young woman - Angie’s insight into growth, change and what failure has to teach us is something we can all learn from.
Tale OF WHOA • DOWN TO THE SEA IN SLIPS
grit • THE WAY OF THE DIRTBAG
Mums WHO ROCK • STORIES OF CLIMBING DURING PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM
PREGNANCY AS ELITE CLIMBERS
BETA FOR CLIMBING DURING EACH TRIMESTER • JOY BLACK is an avid rock climber, kettlebell enthusiast, trail runner, and mum of three. With over a decade of experience in training and coaching, Joy has combined her love of strength and movement with extensive knowledge on training during pregnancy and postpartum. She is on a mission to equip climbers with the knowledge that will empower them during their journey as a pregnant and/or postpartum climber. Here are some of the tips she shares with her clients about climbing in each trimester.
POSTPARTUM AND THE PATH BACK TO YOUR “OLD SELF”
COMMON POST-PARTUM EXPERIENCES
WHEN CLIMBING BECOMES A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT
A Chalky AFFAIR • LUCAS REACHED OUT TO A BUNCH OF LOCAL AUSSIE CLIMBERS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND ASKED: WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES BESIDES CLIMBING ARE THEY INTO? WHAT WOULD THEY SAY TRANSFERS BETWEEN THEIR ENGAGEMENT IN SAID OTHER ACTIVITY AND THEIR CLIMBING, AND WHAT DOESN’T? WHAT HURDLES AND/OR CHALLENGES HAVE THEY FACED AND HOW HAVE THEY OVERCOME THESE (OR NOT)?
Liam ATKINS • MANAGING RISK, INJURIES AND COMMITMENT THROUGH DIVING
Michael BLOWERS • THE TRANSFER OF CARDIO FITNESS & FOCUS THROUGH MOUNTAIN BIKING
Recycling CLIMBING SHOES • CLIMBING ANCHORS LAUNCHES SHOE RECYCLING INITIATIVE WITH TREADLIGHTLY
NEW GEAR
Campfire Crag Cooking
BETA & BREW