I'm originally from the UK and spent my early years in Africa, then back to UK and London, then Jersey in Channel Islands. In 1977, my partner Heather and I and our kids, upped sticks as a family and shifted to Tasmania. settling down and calling that home.
I started climbing the late 1950s while at school in theUK and really don't know how to stop. I feel very, very fortunate to have rock climbed and mountaineered extensively in many countries, including the UK, the Yukon of Alaska, Antarctica, the Himalayas, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and many points in between.
I was originally qualified as a teacher, then added a research degree in ecology and another in administration. For over forty years I was a teacher and principal in the UK, the Channel Islands, and Tasmania, working in in outdoor education centres, schools, colleges. I also worked as a private consultant, climbing guide, and, in Antarctica, a field guide and trainer.
Heather, my partner of more than fifty years, and I have travelled (often with our kids and more recently, grandkids) to over 40 countries trekking, climbing, snorkeling or diving.
I'm an archetypal Tasmanian multi-dabbler: paddler, diver, a terrible skier, rafter, caver, and even jump out of planes. Tasmania is such a great place to live!
I have authored several climbing guides and articles and am an avid creator of new-routes and first ascents. Now in my mid 70s, I am currently developing Sand River, a new area for sport climbing close to Hobart in Tasmania. Most of my time is now spent with our big tribe of grandkids, most of whom are keen climbers themselves. The fun goes on…
Common Climber Articles
I started climbing the late 1950s while at school in theUK and really don't know how to stop. I feel very, very fortunate to have rock climbed and mountaineered extensively in many countries, including the UK, the Yukon of Alaska, Antarctica, the Himalayas, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and many points in between.
I was originally qualified as a teacher, then added a research degree in ecology and another in administration. For over forty years I was a teacher and principal in the UK, the Channel Islands, and Tasmania, working in in outdoor education centres, schools, colleges. I also worked as a private consultant, climbing guide, and, in Antarctica, a field guide and trainer.
Heather, my partner of more than fifty years, and I have travelled (often with our kids and more recently, grandkids) to over 40 countries trekking, climbing, snorkeling or diving.
I'm an archetypal Tasmanian multi-dabbler: paddler, diver, a terrible skier, rafter, caver, and even jump out of planes. Tasmania is such a great place to live!
I have authored several climbing guides and articles and am an avid creator of new-routes and first ascents. Now in my mid 70s, I am currently developing Sand River, a new area for sport climbing close to Hobart in Tasmania. Most of my time is now spent with our big tribe of grandkids, most of whom are keen climbers themselves. The fun goes on…
Common Climber Articles
- Email From Italy (By Tony McKenny) - "Hi All, Having a lovely time, wish you were here :-). The Dolomites of Italy are sensational, more rock than you can poke a stick at... and accessible too - apart from the queues on the popular routes. But they can still bite your bum, as we found out, nearly to our cost. You know accidents can be made up of small incidents. It's like the gaming machine, three lemons means you have hit the jackpot and are in deep shite..."
- The Migrant Pom on Rysavy Ridge (by Tony McKenny - First Ascentionist) - Tony McKenny is a Brit (aka. Pom) who transplanted to Tasmania. In this story he shares an entertaining account (originally published in 1978) of his first ascent of the now popular and classic Tasmanian climb on Mt. Roland called "Rysavy Ridge."
- Fast Forward…Rysavy Ridge Revisited (by Tony McKenny) - The first article in this series on Rysavy Ridge was written by Tony not long after his first ascent of this climb. Now, we have a very special follow-up article of what is likely Tony's final ascent of this ridge. Join Tony for one final climb in Rysavy Ridge Revisited.
- In Praise of Mustang Coffee (by Tony McKenny) - A team of Tasmanian climbers get a test of Nepal through some of the strongest coffee they have ever experienced - Mustang Coffee.
- Last of the Summer Wine (By Tony McKenny) - Sometimes you just don’t know that you have reached the end – the last time you see a friend or change a nappy or hold your small child’s hand – but I think both Tom and I knew that this would be our last major climb together. Nothing was said, we just sensed that the times they were a-changing.
- Lost Love in the Dolomites (by Tony McKenny) Tony McKenny climbs the Piz Pordoi towers in the Dolomites and finds a glorious and sometimes sketchy climb along with an old love letter from days past.
- The Boy from Bothwell - A Tribute to Max Cutcliffe, An Australian Legend (By Tony Mckenny) - An Australia climbing legend -Tony McKenny - shares a tribute about Max Cutcliffe - an Australian climbing legend.