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I figured I'd recognise a climber from here...

citationx

6-May-2017
1:52:45 PM

http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2017/Riddle-in-the-Pacific/

rodw

6-May-2017
4:00:58 PM

I'm related to one so since I have similar genes so Im counting it as a tick for me too.

Vwills

6-May-2017
7:58:15 PM

The article only mentioned 3 of the six climbers, all of us summitted, Zane and Paul Priebbenow, myself and Dave Gray on 25/3 and Keith Bell and Brian Mattick ( both aged 70) 2 days later. More importantly the invertebrate surveys were successful and next time I am in Melbourne I will have to visit my namesake in the zoo. The preparation took up a lot of climbing time, but was worth it all in the end, a totally magical expedition.

PeterW

7-May-2017
12:06:56 AM

God help me that brings back memories, even after all this time! And the video clip had some great footage!

I admit I laughed out loud at one paragraph in the article.

> Paul Flemons lies awake in bed, imagining waves washing him into the sea.

I can vividly remember exactly the same thoughts going through my own mind! I could never get over the thought that the base camp area wasn't covered in vegetation like all the higher parts of the rock!

> The next morning, he is toileting on a designated platform when a wave knocks him off his feet and drags him across the rock.

Not so funny, but a strong sense of deja vu from our trip. At least he wasn't washed away like Noddy!

technogeekery

8-May-2017
7:59:20 AM

Its a great story, and fun to recognise some names from here :-) Well done to the climbing team on the ascent - and it would have made it special having a good scientific cause / reason for being there in addition to the climbing. I like the idea of a stick insect called Vanessa - may it have 700 descendants.

Lingy

8-May-2017
8:31:11 AM

Easily the best thing I've read in the SMH in years - great that they gave it the 'fancy' treatment. I would have loved to have been involved in something like this. Well done Vanessa and team!

pedro.c

8-May-2017
2:42:28 PM

I don't ordinarily get a copy of the Saturday SMH. I was chuffed after sifting through the various components to find this article. Loved the intro they gave you Vanessa. It left me wondering about a couple of things. How was the rock quality and climbing? Did the other Vanessa lay eggs successfully?

Vwills

8-May-2017
5:04:21 PM

The rock quality was largely chossy basalt blocks loosely held together by guano and a bit of dirt. We nicknamed one section Paradise Forks due to a columnar section of good quality rock. It was about 4 m long. Lots of interesting huecoes, usually with a bird nesting inside. It was absorbing, so not to trundle on your climbing partner. I enjoyed every minute, but then again I love the NZ alps as well.
And yes, Vanessa the Phasmid is laying.

Hopefully us climbers will get creative juices flowing and will produce a climbing story. I won't be describing myself as sinewy and tight lipped however :)

Dryococelusaustralis

21-May-2017
4:08:51 PM

Yeh, good job guys. You must be pretty chuffed!

Good to see ol' Keith got to summit again.

Miguel75

21-May-2017
9:27:49 PM

What an awesome experience to read about. Congrats on your new buddy Vanessa, may she live long and prosper:)

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