The Australian Climbing Handbook

ROCKCLIMBING – The Australian Climbing Handbook combines decades of experience from the instructors and staff of the Australian School of Mountaineering.
With hundreds of photographs, technical illustrations and practical examples, the handbook guides readers through every stage of their climbing journey – from planning and preparation to movement skills, equipment, anchors, self-rescue and more.
Our handbook focuses on the knowledge and systems most relevant to beginner and intermediate outdoor climbers, providing a solid foundation that complements professional instruction.

Available for preorder now.

Who Is It For?

• Indoor climbers transitioning to outdoors
• Beginner and intermediate outdoor climbers
• Students attending climbing courses
• Experienced climbers refining their knowledge

About the authors

This book was a collaboration of many people, with contributions from dozens of climbers over the past 6 years. The key contributors are listed below.

Brendon Flanagan

Brendon discovered his passion for climbing through the University of Technology Sydney Outdoor Adventure Club, where he holds an Honorary Lifetime Membership. He is a certified Single Pitch Guide with the Australian Climbing Instructors Association and holds VET qualifications in climbing, abseiling and self-rescue. Brendon has authored numerous climber self-rescue curricula and instructional courses for both indoor and outdoor climbing environments. He holds extensive training in remote wilderness first aid and is a first aid instructor for a registered training organisation. As the founding Sydney Operations Manager for the Australian School of Mountaineering, Brendon and his team deliver courses in lead climbing and anchor building at Barrenjoey Headland and various climbing gyms throughout Sydney.

Dr Warwick Williams

As the most experienced contributor, the book is dedicated to the memory of Dr Williams.
Warwick entered climbing via the scouting movement in the early 1960s, qualifying as a Scouting ‘Rockclimbing Instructor’ in 1966. He joined the Sydney Rockclimbing Club, becoming an Honorary Life Member in 1975. His pursuits expanded to include bushwalking, canyoning, skiing and mountaineering, with a focus on climbing in the Blue Mountains, Warrumbungles, Baroomba, Snowy Mountains and Arapiles. Warwick’s climbing extended globally to include mountaineering in New Zealand, Alaska and Antarctica. Recent years saw him emphasising rockclimbing in the United States and Europe. An accomplished author, Warwick has written numerous guidebooks, including the Bungles, Grose Valley, Dogface, Blue Lake and Mount Boyce. Other works of Warwick’s include his instructional manual Abseiling (1977) and a comprehensive Guide to the Mountains of Mawson (in Antarctica). He became a qualified Climbing Instructor with the Climbing Instructors Association in 1996 and a Multi-Pitch Guide with the Australian Climbing Instructors Association in 2001.

Dr John Hollott

John works as an anaesthetist at John Hunter Hospital and as a prehospital and retrieval medicine specialist with the Westpac Rescue helicopter in Newcastle, NSW. With decades of climbing experience, he has explored cliffs in England, Italy, France, Norway, Thailand, Canada and the United States, and has taken on mountaineering challenges in New Zealand, France, Switzerland and Antarctica. He holds Single Pitch Guide qualifications with the Australian Climbing Instructors Association and is a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine.

Kerry-lee Kirk

Kerry-Lee has been in the outdoor industry since 2005, holding a Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science, Mountain Leader Award, British Mountaineering Council Single-Pitch Award, Level 1 IRATA and wilderness first aid training. Her climbing adventures have taken her to the French Alps, South Africa, Ireland and across the UK, where she spent eight years working as a freelance instructor. As the Senior Gym Manager at Climb Fit Kirrawee, Kerry-Lee founded and manages the Wallsharks Program. In addition to her managerial duties, Kerry-Lee facilitates adult climbing clinics and personalised coaching. Married with two beautiful daughters, Kerry-Lee completed her sections of the book during maternity leave, all while continuing to pursue her passion for the great outdoors. Commitment!

Marty Middlebrook

For the past twenty years, Marty has dedicated himself to environmental conservation, advocating for the ‘leave no trace’ ethic. His professional background in sustainability and social services sees him effectively promote environmental stewardship. Marty holds qualifications in Outdoor Recreation from the Professional Association of Climbing Instructors and is a Single Pitch Guide with the Australian Climbing Instructors Association. His qualifications and experience in training and assessment, remote area first aid and risk management has contributed to the book’s sections on trip planning, incident management and self-rescue. Marty has climbed around the world with his partner Micha, whom he met through the UTS Outdoor Adventure Club, where he holds the distinction of being an honorary member for life.

David Taylor

David is a seasoned veteran of over 30 years’ service in the Australian army, including 18 years in special forces. David began his climbing journey in 2000 during his military career, starting with traditional climbing. As an airborne roping and rappelling instructor, David honed his skills and holds formal qualifications in workplace training and assessment. David shares his passion for climbing by instructing lead climbing courses for the Australian School of Mountaineering in Sydney gyms, where he continues to inspire and educate climbers of all levels. His commitment to adventure and education spans across diverse terrains and operational environments, defining his approach to climbing instruction.