Climbers from Australia

Kim Carrigan was a leading figure in Australian rock climbing in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He has put up hundreds of new routes around Australia, particularly at Arapiles.

References

[1] Interview with Andy Pollitt for UKClimbing.com 11th August 2017 https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/kim_carrigan_and_andy_pollitt-9629

The first Australian to climb V15

From Taylors Instagram:

For most of my life, I pretended to be happy. The truth is, I was far from it.
The journey to womanhood hasn't been easy. I've lost friends. I've lost relationships. But the hardest part has been staying true to myself.

Through it all, I've kept showing up, with honesty and heart. I'm proud of that.

I'm a mum to three beautiful kids.
I've been a professional climber, competing in world cups around the world, making finals and semi finals while representing Australia.
Established what was at the time, some of the hardest rock climbs and boulder problems in the world up to V15.
Stood on the podium at prestigious Arco Rock Master climbing comp in Italy for 3rd place. And the Bloc Master comp in Innsbruck for 2nd place.
I co-authored the Grampians bouldering guide book.
I was An elite-level cyclist. An elite CrossFitter. A Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.
A IRATA level 3 rope access technician working across England, Europe, China, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean. An IRATA Rope Access Instructor.
Manager of Protective Security for Westpac Bank in the corporate sector.
A personal trainer. Route setter. Nurse. Electrician. Plasterer. Pest control tech.
I've built and run my own businesses, a rope access company, a CrossFit gym, a pest control company, a clothing brand.
And now, I've launched a new rope access firm with an amazing and trusted friend! a company we're determined to grow into one of the industry's best. @skytech_projects

This life hasn't been easy. But it's been f*cking real.
And I'm still here. Still growing. Still choosing truth over comfort, every single day.

References

[1] Podcast with Niall Grimes, originally recorded in 2021 and then re-released in 2025 https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NHG7EfwMMQnphpUyAIm2Z

References

[1] Interview with Ben Sanford (2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu8kTmfv9mI

Rock climber, soloist, circus performer, BASE and rope swing jumper.

References

[1] https://www.thebmc.co.uk/legend--lucky-chance-dies-in-blue-mountains

Australian rock climber, guide and author. One of the best women climbers in the world in the early 1980s.

References

[1] https://www.commonclimber.com/louise-shepherd.html

[2] https://verticallifemag.com/articles/louise-shepherd/

[3] https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/andy_pollitt_and_louise_shepherd-10558

The first Australian woman to climb 9a with her ascent of Victimes del Futur.

References

[1] https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/films/momentum-angie-scarth-johnson

References

[1] Interview with Ben Sanford (2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu8kTmfv9mI