Rock Climbing Down Under: Australia Exposed is an exquisite photographic
journey to Australia’s finest climbing destinations. It features 350 images by
world renowned rock climbing photographer, Simon Carter, the result of over 21
years work. In addition to the images, this book contains personal stories and
area overviews written by 80 individual authors, giving an unprecedented
insight into the heart and soul of Australian climbing.
This book offers something for everyone that has any affiliation with rock
climbing. Photographer, Simon Carter, completely suspends us in twenty-one of
Australia’s climbing scenes. From the three dimensional prismatic rock jungle
of Coolum cave; to the eucalypt scented crags of the Blue Mountains; the shady
gullies of Arapiles with hexes clanging and belay calls echoing. Feel the
gyroscopic giddiness of the Totem Pole; the parched desert wind tickling the
ancient rock at Moonarie; and tremor under the thunderous force of the
Southern Ocean pounding the granite walls of West Cape Howe.
Accompanying the mesmerising photography are area introductions and personal
stories written by no less than eighty climbers. Thread by thread, the
climbers› stories weave a magical sentiment throughout the book. Laugh or cry
laughing at the tales, join with climbing pioneers and live their experiences:
squatting in a dingy Nowra cave on $1.75 a day; climbing past the ‹do not
fall› zone followed by a soft fall into the abyss; food foraging forays and
living with mice at the Mount; and first ascent horrors in Bungonia Gorge. Kim
Carrigan, John Fantini, Dave Jones, Kevin Lindorff, Neil Monteith, Chris Webb
Parsons and Mike Law, are only some of the eighty talented climbing authors
found in the book.
Photographer, Simon Carter, is recognised internationally for his distinctive
rock climbing photography and described by the editor of Rock and Ice Magazine
(USA) as ‹arguably the greatest climbing photographer of all time›. He has
been shooting for over 21 years and in his quest for remarkable rock
architecture and fine imagery he has enthusiastically worked with some of the
best climbers in the world.
The 80 contributing authors are some of Australia’s best writers and include
Australia’s most famous climbers. Their passion for the sport and their
underlying synergy between climber and rock, are conveyed through their
stories.