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| ROCK CLIMBING AT MOUNT ARAPILES |
| Cooper climbing well and about to top-out on the back of Plaque Rock |
| Each year October sees the Robertson family heading over to Mount Arapiles in western Victoria for the Labour Day long weekend. Back in the 1980s and 90s there was a core of climbers and their wives/girlfriends who made this annual pilgrimage, but the group got smaller and smaller as families and other commitments came along. In recent years the core group (we used to call ourselves The Uglies, I'm not sure why) has returned, but now with families, and we have as much fun teaching our kids to rock climb as we do going off to do a long multi-pitch route on Dads' Day (usually the Sunday). The commeraderie around the campfire in the evenings is a big hit too. |
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| Brady reaching through a slight overhang on one of the harder routes on the back of Plaque Rock |
| Brady was three years old when he asked me to teach him how to climb (actually he told me "Dad, you're taking me rock climbing"). I was rapt that he was interested in following me into this great sport, so I agreed to take him, and he turned out to be a natural. He has a flowing climbing style that is beautiful to watch, faith in his own ability, and has learned to trust that his belayer is not going to let him come to any harm, and therefore not to panic. Although he still has a lot to learn, I look forward to the day a decade or so from now when Brady is a confident and competant lead climber and will take me on a climb. |
| Cooper's climbing really took off this year and he seemed to climb for his own enjoyment of the sport, rather than because his big brother was doing it. |
| Here he is ascending another route on the back of Plaque Rock, with a spectacular view to the Organ Pipes in the background across Central Gully |
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