3.Haha, I wish it was as grandiose as a philosophy, but alas it’s nothing close. I’ll use cooking as an analogy. If you want to cook some scones, you can use your natural baking skills and probably make a good scone. You can repeat this and probably improve the current recipe by repetition. But introduce a recipe, whether sticking to it loosely or to the point, and I’ll guarantee that you’ll probably make a better scone. I’m not huge into structured training but I try to train my weaknesses, which is not scones.

But on a serious note, I keep versatility as a priority. I want to climb so many different places on so many different types of rock and in order to do that to you have to have a diverse set of skills. Basic strength training of course gets you stronger, but for me I think experiencing different styles and trying to better perfect technique has always lead to better results.

I think because climbing is so rich in diversity it makes a pretty stout teacher. It’s hard not to keep learning and baking better scones.

4. Do you set goals? Have any huge ambitions related to climbing?

Setting goals…

I guess I just have a running goal of just wanting to keep climbing. I like trying hard and pushing myself, but at the core of it my goal would be to make a lifetime of incredible experiences through climbing. I’d love to do a lot of the climbing in the Bugs, sport in Spain, adventure in Tassie, bouldering in magic wood and swimming up cracks in the Creek. There aren’t enough life times to get to all the crags I’d like to get to so it comes down to cherry picking what gets you psyched the most. I think I’m a bit of perfectionist at heart and it can sometimes be a burden, but I think that’s what keeps me coming back to try hard and head strong about learning. I feel determined to get it to a point of proficiency.

5. Whats your most memorable ascent?

Most memorable ascent would be any onsight. A particular climb that comes to mind is “Birdman of Alcatraz” at Mt Arapiles. I find with any onsight attempt everything involved in the climb is physically and psychologically elevated. I distinctly remember having to pull out all the stops on that route, as it covers some diverse terrain. Switching gears between a technical, scantly protected face traverse, to some burly flake wrestling and insecure smears. The climbing felt like non stop puzzle solving with moments of power sapping desperation. The state of flow I felt from beginning to end was something consuming. These sort of moments are the gems for me in climbing. Where instead of analysing the climb like a project, your body is just reacting. Getting lost in it, breathing deep, trying to keep your shit together, and somehow pulling it off… no better feeling in my opinion.

6. Who, or what, inspires you the most in climbing?

Ron Kauk. The legend. The way he moves and the climbs he put up are definitely inspiring for me. He just floats. I’ve never seen footwork so flawless. His vision for lines in his hay day was futuristic and bold. They are still are some of the hardest routes out there with and seldom repeated. I also really respect his passion for environmental awareness and stewardship. But the best inspiration is watching your mates try super hard at any level of climbing. I had my best mate Drew, a salty dog for the surf, come and visit me at the Araps one time. I put him on a 14 and I’ve never ever seen anyone try that hard, EVER. The dude was that flamed and he just kept throwing for holds and sticking it… it was better than any Chris Sharma psaaat film out there.

7. How do you balance the “real life” with climbing?

I don’t know if balance is a word I’d use. Climbing has definitely over balanced just about everything else. But I’m a barista and that has been a go to trade, apart from performing music for quite some years. Currently looking to level it out a bit though. You know get a real job… to further invest in climbing trips.