We would also like to put together a CAWA Calendar using the photos that you provide.  The calendar would be to promote climbing in WA and CAWA events in 2012/13.  The Calendar will be a 13 month calendar from February 2012 to February 2013, to coincide with the CAWA AGM held in February each year.  The Calendar will be subsidised by CAWA, and will be sold to the climbing community at a price yet to be determined (somewhere around the $10 mark) to help cover printing costs.

I hope that this will encourage people to participate in the photo competition next year, and will also allow the photos you have taken to be showcased to encourage trips, events and just climbing in general.

Could you please confirm your consent to publish you photo(s) in the CAWA Calendar when you submit your photos.

If you have any queries, please email either myself: kates@climberswa.asn.au or Tony Brebner, CAWA President: tonyb@climberswa.asn.au.

I look forward to seeing more photos!

Kate

The “new-look” AGM is coming up soon on Wed 15 Feb 2012, to be held at the Subiaco Arts Centre, Main Auditorium, 180 Hamersley Rd, Subiaco from 06:30pm.

We’re bringing a new way to present the AGM, which is open to all. The attached agenda and flyer shows what’s on and how we are going to present it.

It will be a “sought-after” event. We expect a large CAWA and non-CAWA crowd and have a new venue to provide a more engaging seated arrangement, with free parking and bar facilities on the premises.

The highlight of the AGM is the CAWA Climbing Photographic Competition and a Keynote Presentation by Mt Everest summiter, Patrick Hollingworth.

It’s open to all. FREE for CAWA members and a small entry fee of $10 for non members (waived if you join up on the night!!!).

It’s a key night in the CAWA 2012 calendar and prepare to be inspired by a Perth boy who dreamed to reach the top of the world. He did and he’s going to show us how he did it.. Yup, there’s hope for us all !

Make sure you attend…..Come early, bring your wallet (cash bar is available and opens at 6pm), and enjoy it.

Tony Brebner, CAWA President and all the Committee of 2011/2012.

Last night’s Gym Crash at Rockface had an excellent turnout from the CAWA membership and significantly, a number of new members came along as well. Whilst your’s truly was trying to speed up the Pizza’s for the early climbers and slowing down the Pizza’s for the late commers, everyone looked like they were having a good time.

It was great to see so many CAWA members interacting and that’s what the association is predominately there for.

Thanks for your support last night and a great evening. Please continue to support your association and its efforts to bring you quality and interesting climbing experiences.

Tony Brebner, CAWA President (And last night’s Pizza Man !)

Thanks go to Ross for his continued dedication to producing quality mini-guides.

Thanks to Mark Weatherill our legendary webmaster, the CAWA Facebook page is up. Please join up as you wish. All post from the CAWA web page will be linked through to the CAWA Facebook wall and events will be posted as they come up.

Great place to invite friends, post your stunning climbing photos and see what’s happening in the CAWA climbing scene.

Tony Brebner, CAWA President

If anyone has prior claim to any of the routes, please send an email to cawa@climberswa.asn.au with proof and details so that the mini-guide can be updated.

Thanks go to Lisa, Krish and Elseya for their contibutions once again.

 New Years day in Perth is a far cry from Christmas Day in the Italian Dolomites where the Pres and his family have just arrived back from. As a treat for our 17yr old school leaver son this year, we returned once again to Selva Gardena Wolkstein in the Italian Alps, the Dolomites, for some serious snow skiing. Snow did eventually come to Europe, and in buckets. The 37Deg C we flew back into from a regular -4Deg C to -12Deg C on the slopes was welcome, if only for a short time.

 However my thoughts, whilst concentrating on keeping upright on the spectacular ski runs in the Sella Ronda region, kept flicking back to the majestic rock walls of the Dolomites. The towering and breathtaking size of these ranges were a daily beacon and I looked for routes and opportunities for a summer return to climb. There is a strong Alpine Guide organisation which runs instructional and guided climbs of some of the most spectacular routes in the Dolomites and in my halted German/Italian I learned that there were numerous sports routes, trad routes and for those who want to try something different, Via Ferrata routes within walking distance of the village. The region is a haven for hi-adrenalin summer activities and boasts rock climbing, hiking, serious MTB tracks, pargliding, and sky diving to name a few. It even has its own rock climbing gym. All the apres-activity bars clubs and restaurants are there from traditional Italian, to German Stuba’s to uber-cool groove lounges.

 I know that some of you have spent time climbing in various European locations. Climbing in Spain, France, the UK, Italy and other climbing mecca’s of Europe would be on my “Bucket List”. But most of us don’t have unlimited time or funds to do the lot so a short foray for 2-3 weeks in summer would certainly sound appealing. Stay tuned for more news on a summer climbing camp in Europe…..

 Nola and I are avid second hand bookshop pillagers. We can spend hours rummaging through dusty shelves and racks of old books in the hope of finding a lost classic that we had as a set books in our youth, or an unusual tome that would keep mind sharp for the times it may need some additional exercise. Recently we hit mother lode here in WA. In Nannup there is an Antiques and Collectibles shop and under a pile of undisturbed outdoor books I found a magnificent collection of climbing greats. Arthur Roth’s stunning compilation of the history of the Eiger titled, Eiger Wall of Death, Chris Bonnington’s Everest The Hard Way, Henrich Harrier’s The White Spider and an old favourite, Seven Years in Tibet and more recent books like Lincoln Hall’s Dead Lucky and Matt Dickinson’s Death Zone. Just yesterday in Freo we stumbled into another bookshop which had Chris Bonnington’s Mountaineer, a large coffee table book of photos of some of the most challenging climbs on the planet. And who has yet to read Sir Edmund Hillary – An Exceptional Life. An exceptionally inspiring and invigorating read.

 2012 will bring us whatever the four winds throw at us. What we make of 2012 is of our own action. At CAWA, we continue to work on last year’s initiatives. We are going to strengthen our membership base, propose new climbing events and locations, bring some serious climbing competition to WA, engage some keynote speakers and continue to support developing our new climbers and the sport in our great State.

 Join us for a great 2012.

 Tony Brebner, CAWA President – 1 January 2012.

1. Climbing in WA
2. Climbing everywhere else

The photos will be compiled as a powerpoint presentation and displayed on the night of the AGM, with members who turn up able to vote on the best photo.  There will be prizes for each category, and possibly additional prizes for the runners up.

If you would like to enter, please send your photos to: kates@climberswa.asn.au with the following information:

1. Your name
2. Name of the photographer
3. Name of the climber
4. Location
5. Route

If you have any queries, email kates@climberswa.asn.au

Photos will then be published in the Western Climber for inspiration for next year’s competition.

There will be limited places for 20 people at a private property about 20 km east of Albany. At the property there is a hot shower (with a view), flush toilet, a shed with a fridge and a gas stove, and a small undercover area. However you will need to bring your tent, sleeping bag and other camping gear. To cover the cost of gas for the shower, and electricity, we will be charging $2 per night per person.

If you are interested in coming, please let us know and directions and more information will be sent to you.  Please note that due to there only being one shower and toilet at the property, we have decided that there will be a limit of only 20 places available and this will be on a first-come, or rather first booked, basis.  Of course, if you are too late in replying or wish to stay elsewhere, you are welcome to do so but still participate in all the other CAWA activities on this trip.

As usual, we will be making day trips to The Gap, Peak Head, West Cape Howe (who’s got a 4×4?), the Porongurups and any other places that people want to go to.

On New Years Eve we will probably be going to a restaurant in Albany. The last few years we have been going to a cheap and cheerful Chinese restaurant, but if someone wants to suggest somewhere else that isn’t too expensive, please do. Otherwise we could also just have a BBQ at the property.

Read about last year’s trip here.

Please note that CAWA trips are a benefit for members. Non-members who are interested in coming with you can join online now (easiest) or on the first day of the trip.

All participants need to be ‘independent participants’. This means you are responsible for your own safety. Due to legal and liability issues, CAWA does not provide training. If you are an inexperienced climber then have a chat to some of the more experienced people you know and see if they are planning to attend. Climbing at Albany, West Cape Howe, the Porongorups and at the Stirlings is challenging and requires a level of experience and expertise. These are not “beginners” climbs.

For more information, contact Janice on 0407 200 020 or cawa@climberswa.asn.au

Thank you to all who have already sent their RSVP’s. We have had a great response so far and will be a really fun afternoon. So if you intend on joining us please RSVP as soon as you can by no later than this Wednesday 30th.

Theme: Red and Green or your favourite Xmas outfit (remember there will be children attending)
When: Sunday 4th December, 3.30pm-7pm (BBQ around 5pm)
Where: Point Walter Reserve in Bicton (See map on the online guide)

http://www.climberswa.asn.au/climb/online-guide/perth/blackwall-reach/

Directions: Come down Honour Rd on the left side of Pt Walter Reserve, going straight through the roundabout at Carroll Drive and continuing on past the tennis courts. On your right you will see a kid’s playground some parking and BBQ’s that are quite close to the road. We will be in that general area, fairly close to the road. On your left, if you follow the path down to the water, you will find a long expanse of limestone wall conveniently placed for your bouldering pleasure.

What to bring: Deck chairs or picnic blankets, Sun screen, hats, mozzie repellent, towel, old climbing shoes or joggers, chalk bag, swimmers, jumper (if it comes in cool) and your favourite outdoor game.

CAWA will provide: a selection of BBQ meats, sauce, buns, tasty salads. Soft drink and water, plastic plates, cups and cutlery, BBQ Masterchef’s required to help handle the tongs !!! (Please inform us of any dietary requirements when you RSVP)

Activities: Bouldering (is optional), Eating (5-6pm) and your favourite outdoor game
If you’ve never bouldered at Blackwall Reach before, please note that there is a good chance you’ll get wet, so being able to swim is handy. This will either come from falling into the river, or from young hoons jumping into the water from the top and splashing you. It’s a long traverse on limestone and it will probably help if you join people who have been there before. It’s not overly obvious where the start is and they’ll be able to point out sections that are a bit tricky or where, if you’re getting pumped, it might pay to wade across the submerged rocks rather than fall onto them. You can climb up high or stay as low as you like. Overall, your commonsense will need to prevail, as with all climbing activities. The rock is sharp and tends so don’t have a manicure the day before, it’ll be wasted.

Good attire to wear are bathers and/or boardies and old climbing shoes (trainers are ok). Chalk bags not necessary. If you have kids or other non-climbing family members coming along and they want to try it, remember that you’ll be responsible for them as due to legal and liability reasons CAWA cannot be responsible for their supervision and safety.

Cost: Non members $10, Kids under 10yrs are free. Payment can be done on the day, please bring exact change. CAWA T-shirts $15 (Sizes and colours are limited) and Guide books $29 (down from $39 in the retail shops) will be available for purchase as a once off on the day special.

RSVP: cawa@climberswa.asn.au by no later than Wednesday 30th November
Please note that RSVP’s are required to ensure that attendees are catered for.

We look forward your response