Our Friday Night Video this week takes us to Arapiles. The film explores the origins of rock climbing in the area, in a fun and adventurous story that features some of the pioneers that discovered the area in the 1960s.
I don't think you can call it "the" Arapiles. Arapiles, Mt Arapiles, the Raps, The Mount. Sorry to be a bit pernickety. Haven't had time to watch it yet, but look forward to it. I imagine Keith "Noddy" Lockwood will figure - he stayed with us last summer and between the rain drops we did Little Chamonix together. Great character.
You can, if you want to annoy people. Some people used to say it, the 'the', not sure why, then it became a thing, people saying it was wrong. Then it became a thing to say it deliberately just for a joke and to wind people up.
It's become a bit of an in-joke, like 'the peaks district' and arguing over the grade of Three Pebble Slab.
Thanks so much to those who made this, and to UKC for posting it. A poignant tribute to two great teams: Steve and Pat, and Greg and Ellen. Steve, who was afflicted by Marfan Syndrome, lived and died courageously.
Lovely video, much appreciated. Just booked our next trip to Oz - can't wait to get back to the Mount. Finally reached an age where I can do Tiptoe Ridge.
> Lucky guys indeed. The dream crag sensation came to mind watching that.
Hi Ian,
You're absolutely right! That was lingering at the back of my mind but I hadn't realised it. It has got that dreamlike quality of being young and carefree and not really knowing what you're doing... but it doesn't really matter, 'cos it's all good. Happy days!
All best wishes,
Mick
P.S. Love to Rose.
P.P.S. Got an email from Boggie just before Christmas - which was nice. Unfortunately he felt that British climbing has become the pits. Hope I haven't fallen out with him. Sure, the past was great but hey, we can still all go out and have fun in the sun.
> The dream crag sensation came to mind watching that.
A great little film, but I've yet to see a film or a photo of the Arapiles with the wow factor that makes me really want to go there, so it has remained a long way down my list below nearer destinations - it just doesn't look anything really special to me. But everyone who goes says it is utterly brilliant, so I presume it is just miles better than a film can do justice to. Maybe one day.......
I guess it depends what your looking for, but there again I'm just about to contradict that. Speaking personally, it is by far and away the best rock venue I have ever been to, but I can only speak personally up to grade 18 (about E1). In that area of difficulty most of the one star routes would be *** anywhere else I've ever climbed. There seem to be plenty of heavily recommended routes at any grade you want to climb.
I think it is just the rather messy nature of quartzite that it doesn't generally lend itself to inspiring strong lines that just leap out at you demanding to be climbed. Same with the Anti-Atlas and, in some ways, Gogarth. Of course that doesn't mean that the climbing can't, move for move, be really good.
What a super video - great archival footage. And a nice conclusion about trad vs. sport - no grumbling about "this new fangled stuff", just healthy realism.
I loved the thought about those old school copiers. Brings back memories of the smell...
Robert, I agree, it doesn't look perfect but I was referring to Mick's Dream Crags article. More to do with the fantasy of stumbling across a big undiscovered Crag X and being free to pick off all the lines that appeal to you. That dream really came true for those and plenty of others in that era. Alas not for us?
I was a bit overwhelmed with emotion seeing that vid of two close friends and erstwhile climbing partners, especially given Steve's premature death last year. Of course, there were *three* teams, Steve Craddock and Greg Lovejoy, and their wives Pat and Ellen - not forgetting Bob and the other climbers, either.
And to UKC, a small point but the pic that accompanies the link to the vid is of the Xanthene slab at Jawbones, E of Melbourne, so quite a long way from Arapiles.
Fri Night Vid Finding Focus - Life Behind The Lens of a Climbing Photographer
This week's Friday Night Video is a portrait of a prolific climbing photographer from Wedge Climbing. Sam Pratt is well known in both the outdoor and competition scene but if you haven't heard of him, you've likely seen...