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:
Book Reviews
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Zac the Interloper - A crag dog holds a special place in a climber's memory - best climbing buddy. Woof.
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
- 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