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General Climbing Discussion

Author

Perth

kolg

7-May-2007
11:20:49 PM

Hi all,
I'm a spanish sport climber currently living in Madrid. I'm considering to move to Perth but before, I would like to have an idea about the climbing atmosphere over there. Are there good climbing gyms in Perth? And what about the crags, what I have found so far seems to be mostly trad climbing in slabby walls...
Thanks in adavance,
Kol

Pei

8-May-2007
12:22:43 AM

Don't do it!! Move to Melbourne - think gramps and araps!! heh heh no not to put you off, but it depends on what sort of lifestyle you like. Perth has fantastic beaches and is really laid back, but it also isn't called Dullsville for nothing!

Heh heh being a former perthite myself, the climbing around Perth is rather slim, unless you like granite slabs. There's a small but active climbing community in Perth.

There are three climbing gyms in Perth - the Rockface in Northbridge (closest one to the city www.rockface.com.au), the Hangout in Bayswater (http://www.thehangout.com.au/)and Urban Ascent in Bassendean (this one just opened last year - http://www.paull-warner.com.au/urban_ascent.php?PHPSESSID=7a773485da573d07e552ebe7b37c3fd9), but none of them are particularly flash. In fact I think the highest one is only 11m - which is probably about half the height of the gyms here in Melbourne, not sure what you're used to in Spain. But they're alright for training, and have nice atmospheres. I used to climb mostly at the rockface because it was closest and they had a good 45 wall for bouldering.

In terms of climbing around Perth, there are lots of little granite crags/boulders but the routes are all pretty short. There are also a few quarries where some routes have been put up which are alright, nothing fantastic though, but worth a look if you're living in Perth. I hear also that some bouldering problems have been done and written up too. This is all within an hour of Perth.

If you can go further away from perth, climbing possibilities are a bit better. Margaret river about 3 hours south of perth has some good crags nearby - a mix of trad and sport - bob's hollow (steep limestone) and willyabrup are good places. Else even further down south near albany there are sea cliffs. I've got a few pics of some crags in WA in my profile if you want to have a look.

Otherwise if you're just climbing around Perth then you will probably find yourself on granite slabs or else climbing in some quarry unfortunately.

cdelacy

8-May-2007
11:05:51 AM

Perth Blows!!! I live here now, and cant wait to get out. The place is nice, but the government has stiffled its ability to prosper as a "city" for living purposes. No life at all, and some archaic laws that are riduculous in this era. ANd as for any change everything goes to referendum where the splt is always 50/50 thus nothing changes.

As for climbing well, yeah we a have good climbing community, people are passionate, and there are some great routes about, Kalbarri (6 hours north), and margeret river. THe city itself has a few quarries which surprisingly have had a resurgence in effort and alot of routes have been put up, albeit some manufactured (drilled) holds. But they have been well designed and thoughtfully bolted. If you like bouldering then your options are a little more plentiful. but still require some driving , walking, and typically the season for bouldering is only winter as our spring summer and autumns can be quite warm.

As the previous suggested, move to melbourne, or sydney. No point coming all the way to a foreign country to live (and climb i asume) and place yourself where you wont find fullfillment. Visit perth, live on the east coast.

kolg

9-May-2007
12:48:43 AM

Thanks guys,
Unfortunately, I only have the possiblity of getting a job in Perth, and after your comments I will give it up :(
Anyway, I am going on holidays to Eastern Australia in september so I will have the opportunitty to visit some of the crags around Melbourne
Thanks again ;)

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