Keith Bell started climbing in the early 1960’s and became quickly hooked. In an effort to break the habit he travelled to New Zealand, Africa, Great Britain, Europe and North America to no avail. Several seaside pilgrimages to Balls Pyramid also failed to relieve the condition.
 
He now lives in Sydney with his wife and two dogs looking longingly west towards the Blue Mountains of New South Wales Australia back to where his addiction began.
 
Common Climber Articles:

• A Chamonix Initiation (By Keith Bell) - ​​An experienced Aussie rock climber goes to Chamonix for some world class alpine climbing and encounters some rather unfortunate - and sometimes hilarious - events. Let's just say he gets quite the initiation. ​
• A Day Out with Barnsie (By Keith Bell) - ​Common Climber contributor Keith Bell has a light-hearted writing style and way with words. In this unique story he uses climb names and song titles to tell us about a fun time out with a group of friends over New Years. One of those friends is Common Climber Assistant Editor Dave Barnes - aka. Barnsie (FYI - Aussies like adding "ie" to the ends of words). Barnsie is also the nick-name of a famous Australian rock-n-roll artist, which is where the song-play begins. Check out this fun story, and build in a little extra time to to hear the tunes referred to in the story - they will transport you to the Land Down Under in the most creative of ways. 
• A Grand Nightcap (by Keith Bell) is a part of a trio of humorous stories about the first Australian ascent and attempted ascent of the East Face of the Grand Capucin, Chamonix. 
• A Leap into the Blue Back in the Day ​(By Keith Bell) - ​Often climbs are named based upon an experience with the first ascent - but this climb, called "Serenity," was named tongue-in-cheek for the very non-serene descent that occurred before the ascent. 
• Animal Acts Part 1: Things With Wings (by Keith Bell) - Keith Bell has a way with words and some rich climbing tales. In part one of a two-part series Keith shares four laugh-out-loud tales of climbing encounters with "Things With Wings."
• Animal Acts 2: Things That Slither, Crawl, and Walk  (By Keith Bell) - Keith Bell wraps up his entertaining two-part series on critters he has encountered while climbing. From snakes, to things with fur and exoskeletons, these stories will make you laugh, cringe, or be fascinated - or all of the above. 
• Christo's Little Bay Rhapsody (By Keith Bell) - ​Christo, an avant garde artist that likes to wrap very large things, left his mark on Little Bay near Sydney, Australia - with the help of climbers, of course. Contributor Keith Bell happened to be one of those climbers. In this interesting and humorous account, Keith fills us in on what it was like to help wrap 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) of coastline with fabric and what happened in the aftermath - including how NOT to deal with 400 meters of rope.
• Flakes and Shakes: Flake Crack Revisited (By Keith Bell) - ​​Iconic climbs are ones that capture your eye, inexplicably draw you towards them, and are a test piece for climbers across generations. Flake Crack, on Mount Piddington in the Blue Mountains of Australia, is one of those climbs. Look at that photo and see why - now experience the journey.​
• From Yorkshire to Eternity ​(By Keith Bell) - ​Australian author and climber Keith Bell takes us on a journey of the ultra-classic crack climb The Eternity on Mt. Piddington in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. ​
• Horses for Courses: The Dru Derby 1971 (By Keith Bell) - Keith Bells humorous version of the unintentional race to the top of the Petit Dru in the French Alps - the "Dru Derby."
• Piqued by Peaks (​By Keith Bell) - Sixty years of climbing brings some memories. It also brings some insights. Join Keith Bell on a climbing journey that follows the progression many climbers experience - from those first eye-opening moments, to wanting more, to the eventual winding down as the body ages. 
  
• Sojourn at Dyurrite (By Keith Bell) - Every climber has a place they hold dear to their heart, where the memories always remain fresh, and friends become family. Savor Keith Bell's poetic tribute to one of the most special climbing areas in Australia.​
• The OG Aussie Klimber (By Keith Bell) - The kute and kuddly Koala is the OG Aussie klimber... follow this incredible send and learn a little about the koala along the way. ​
• Throng of Roland (By Keith Bell) - ​In 1965 Keith Bell was on his way to another Tasmanian climb when the steep, craggy Mt. Roland caught his attention. Mt. Roland planted itself in his mind like a seed, just waiting for the perfect time to come to fruition. Back home on the mainland of Australia, years passed and the seed just sat there. Every few years or so, though, Mt. Roland - and the eventual classic climb Rysavy Ridge - would enter into Keith's radar, nudging him to come. Keith tried to get there to climb it several times, but the stars never aligned. Finally, in 2021, the seed blossomed and Keith shares his experience on Rysavy Ridge.
• ​Tiptoeing Through Some Bungles (By Keith Bell) - It took a while for author Keith Bell to finally get on the Australian classic climb "Tiptoe." He takes us on the journey, which some might call a "bungle," that finally got him there, as well as the ultimate incredible climbing experience with a good friend. 
• Tombstone Territory (By Keith Bell) - Tombstone Wall is a classic John Ewbank 15 (5.7) on Mt. Piddington in the Blue Mountains of Australia. Keith Bell takes us on a tour of this fine line. This is the last article in a three-part series highlighting classic climbs of Mt. Piddington.​
• Whitewater Crocs (By Keith Bell) - Overcoming a raging wildfire and bad coffee, two Aussie "crocks" ascend Whitewater Wall in Tasmania. (Colloquially, in Oz - that's Australia for those on the other side of the pond -crocks are aged, decrepit and broken-down things - including human beings.) 
• ​Zac the Interloper - A crag dog holds a special place in a climber's memory - best climbing buddy. Woof. 

Tributes

• A Tribute to Bryden Allen: Packed and Off on the Next Adventure (by Keith Bell) - Vale Bryden Allen - a legend of Australian climbing, who established classics along the East Coast of the continent (even preparing the ground for John Ewbank) and into the remote southern sea, creating and bringing the latest in climbing tools to Down Under (including the infamous Australian carrot), and spreading the spirit of camaraderie in climbing both before and after a debilitating accident that put him in a wheelchair - has passed. Join us in this special tribute to Bryden given by fellow first ascentionist Keith Bell, who followed in Bryden's footsteps both literally and figuratively. Keith considers Bryden a mentor and friend and here, shares the incredible story of Vale Bryden Allen.
• Early to Rock: A Tribute to David Roots (July 14, 1931 to December 15, 2021) (by Keith Bell) - David Roots, an Australian climbing legend has passed. Long-time Aussie climber and first ascentionist Keith Bell shares a wonderful tribute to David, who was one of New South Wales' foremost climbers to emerge in the 1950's post-war period.​
• From a Nut to a Harness: A Tribute to Paul Seddon, The Third Troll (by Keith Bell) - Climber, inventor, and Troll co-founder Paul Seddon passed on November 3, 2022 at the age of 82. Author Keith Bell provides a historic review of Paul's contributions to our world of climbing - including some of the earliest manufactured nuts in the climbing world and the first manufactured climbing harness - the Whillan Harness.
• Mike Stone - A Retrospective (by Keith Bell) Mike Stone is an Australian rock climbing pioneer, particularly in his home state of Victoria, where many of his first ascents are now classics. Mike also forged the way for Australians in the European Alps as shown by his piece Fiasco on the Grand Cap-1969.
• The Immaculate MOAC: A Tribute to John Brailsford ​(by Keith Bell) - The MOAC was the first modern tapered nut design created for climbing. John Brailsford, the inventor and maker of the Acorn and MOAC chockstone, passed away earlier this year (2022) and Keith Bell provides a wonderful tribute, honoring John's contributions to our climbing world. 

Book Reviews

• Advanced Rock Climbing - Book by Topher Donahue, Review by Keith Bell
• Adventures at the Edge of the World - Editors, Gerry Narkowicz and Simon Bischoff, Review by Keith Bell
• Climb by Philip Barker. Review By: Keith Bell
• Climbing Glass Book Review- Book By Lyle Closs, Review by Keith Bell
• Climbing Rock: Vertical Explorations across North America  - Book by Francois Lebeau and Jesse Lynch, Review by Keith Bell