I came to Common Climber as a reader. I was in hospital for a significant amount of time recovering from a brain injury and piecing my life back together. Swiping through climbing pages online I came across this cottage site that focused on every day climbers. Mainly they shared stories from across the United States of America but I did see a voice for folks like me. I had written a few posts on climbing vibes and thought I could make a contribution to CC (Rising by Dave Barnes). ​

Common Climber Assistant Editor Dave Barnes (R) with legendary climber Paul Pritchard (L).

While in recovery in the hospital, Dave would write daily goals and tasks on the whiteboard.

Dave Barnes on the first ascent of "Diamond in the Rough" (20/5.10d) Hobart, Tasmania, 2004.

I reached out to its creator, Stefani Dawn. We were soon chatting regularly and I submitted some pieces where she shaped my writing and images into something respectable for others and a great friendship was established. It wasn’t long until she offered me an Assistant Editor role. I would seek talent and content, write pieces, and care for the Social Media side of things. 
 
The Common Climber Facebook site went from 300 or so to 10k in the subsequent years and Stef and I became great buddies piecing articles, reviews, interviews, and all our content sites, together. We also gathered a small band of brothers to keep us on track and assisting where possible.

​A highlight was working with her and our Advisory Board, as well as seeing The Common Climber Anthology book come out, which gave a full-page or more to featured photographers and artists (and is sold out). Having work in print is a prize for any writer and all magazine publishers. It made us feel authentic. ​

Authentic is what we have strived for.

We wanted to develop relationships with our readers and provide contributions in a neat platform to share their stories, art, ideas and photographs. We were not afraid to wear our hearts on our sleeve and prided ourselves in respecting every climber with every contribution.

A point of difference we hope you noticed is that for near every post we ever put out on Facebook or Instagram and in every article published, the climber featured and the photographer who shot the image were named. Permission has been obtained for most every one of them (both Photographers and climbers). 

The Common Climber Anthology (published in 2020), cover photo by Bryan Sillorequez, Creator and Editor Stefani Dawn, Assistant Editor Dave Barnes, Graphic Designer, Stephanie Jordan.

That is not a common trend on social media but we know how hard photographers work to capture the magic and how cool it is for climbers to feel recognised by their peers. Respect to you all and thanks for assisting me gather the information on each image you provided or we have sort. Thanks to climbers for giving us your take on what the picture is showing. Oh, and thanks to my partner, Melinda Mus for putting up with me in the middle of the night, getting in and out of bed, to correspond with climbers around the world. ​

There is a sweet thing in editing a climb mag. That is speaking with your heroes and notable climbers of the day. 

Jacques Beaudoin on "Mother Earth" (31/5.13d). Photo Credit: Simon Carter (IG: @simoncarter_onsight)

Connor Herson on "Kilogram" (5.14- / 8b+/c) in Tuolumne Meadows, California. (Photo Credit: Christian Adam, IG: @christian_adam_; Black Diamond, @blackdiamond)

Common Climbing has given me a platform to engage with these climbers and piece together stories. I have strived to write about the journey of the person I profile and share the person behind the rock star. 
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There are also the times when I have been able to report on history. Climbs of the past that still resonate today has been a special treat. Interviewing climbers who put them up or dedicated a portion of their lives to is like a kid opening his Christmas presents. Through the interviews and research, you never know what you may find or how the words will finally sit. ​

Seb Bouin on his redpoint of "Supreme Jumbo Love." "Supreme Jumbo Love" (5.15c/38) is the climb "Jumbo Love" (5.15b/37, 80 meters/260 feet) plus a harder 65-foot-long (21 meter) direct start. (Photo Credit: Clarisse Bompard, IG: @clarisse.bombard)

The dyno and shot felt 'round the world! Malcolm Matheson (HB) on Mirage (27/5.12d), Taipan Wall, Grampians, Australia. (Photo Credit: Simon Carter)

I have learnt that we are all similar, from newbee to seasoned warrior; we all love climbing and that’s what we have in common. 

Common Climber is a love story. You see climbers cranking that love all over the world.

I have received love back in kind.

When I was cracking away on a climbing novel I went to our readers for inspiration and feedback. Here the help of Keith Bell kept me moving forward to publication. Keith has been a regular contributor to the mag (and has a story in this Farewell Edition) and a wonderful mentor. Kudos to you Keith for your part in CC and in our lives. ​​

I’ve learnt about our community too.

​The big ass magazines do not often visit the edges of our community or take time to understand them. I’ve learned that many climbers struggle in the valleys and seek respite in the hills. Many of “us” feel not important enough, not good enough, to share their understanding of climbing or of their achievements. Standing by and encouraging them to pen their story, share their image, be vulnerable in the telling, these take time and patience but in our index we have a rich tapestry of climbers baring all and we have shined because of them. 

Keith Bell on the first ascent of "Flight of the Phoenix" in 1974. (Photo Credit: Ray Lassman)

Father and son - Jim and Layton Bridwell - in Yosemite. (Painting by Common Climber Artist & Contributor Karmelo Onate)

When it comes to feedback, there is a common factor; the thankfulness for sharing every day climbers stories, for care shown for those we sometimes loose on high and others being able to come to a place they feel comfortable amongst folks just like them. 

The fringe of climbing is often messy and not so glossy. To shine a light on those who are adaptive climbers or have suffered through injury, or mental health. It’s been an honour giving you a space to share your life from your lens, and in your way. Your stories are often the richest. 

Climbers sharing stories around the campfire after a long day of climbing - Photo as part of Dave Barnes' story Demented Dirtbags. (Photo credit: Kamil Sustiak)

Blind climber Jesse Dufton on "The Sloth" in the Peak District of the United Kingdom (Common Climber story "Blind Ambition Builds a World Class Climber" by Dave Barnes). (Photo Credit: Alastair Lee)

Me? I’m just thankful CC entered my life and gave me a purpose. 

I’m pleased with the friends I have made around the world because of it. I have shared my home and my rope with a number of CC Followers. The internet can get some beastly ribbings but in my case, CC has maintained its connection to its readers, we feel part of a community and the door has always been open to Message us for a chat. CC has made me a better man as climbing has others. 

It also has me looking up and I know I still have a long way to go. It’s great to have the pals I have met through CC to share that journey.

Saxon Johns on "Better than Life," one of the first 32/5.14a climbs in Australia.

Dave Barnes on the first ascent of "Edge of Eve," Tasmania (20 AU/5.10b US)

In reflection, there is another responsibility that comes with writing in and editing climbing a magazine, that is The Vale. Writing on climbers who have passed and offering remembrance for their contributions is such an honour but in turn incredibly difficult, particularly when you know that person and/or the death is by misadventure. There has been many. Two that stand out are John Middendorf who was a close friend. His loss still hurts. 

The other was Brad Goldbright. I never met Brad in person and when I interviewed him he was alive and had just freed a long standing line on El Cap. His vigour was palpable, such a nice and honest guy. He died climbing before I completed his piece. I was the last interview he gave. It ended up being his Vale. His family were incredibly supportive putting it together for you. That one was a touchstone for many. As was the story of John.

John Middendorf hanging out on one of his portaledges on the route, Ozymandias - one of Australia’s longest and proudest aid lines at Mount Buffalo. (Photo Credit: Simon Mentz)

Brad in Yosemite. (Photo Credit: Samuel Crossley)

So what now?

Far out, who knows. Life throws muck at you.

I often feel I am side stepping the next clusterfuck than moving forward. I’m not whining it’s just how it is. For CC, our door will remain ajar and we will keep the fire burning on for a while, with the FB page and keeping the website and stories available so you can make your way through the many incredible stories.

Maybe someone will see that light and be attracted to the flame, and rekindle it? That would be nice but if we are benighted and there’s no hope of rescue, that’s OK too. We gave CC our all and that’s not a bad way to go out. Time to pop open some Champagne and share the taste of what has been. ​

So to all of you, my heartfelt thanks. To our contributors, thanks for your stories and your images. Karmelo, thanks sincerely for your art. You have helped me brush what words and film can’t. You have added colour to important stories I have penned of notable climbers in my CC work. My stories are richer for your art. 

So in conclusion, my heart goes out to Stefani who has given so much. She is such a rose in a world of thorns. And to Common Climbers all over the world, climb on. Your next adventure awaits. Go get after it and go safely.