James on Blister in the sun, grade 17, Spanky's Wall, Whistler, Canada andrewdoran.com
After high school I embarked on the first of many overseas ski trips. From there it didn’t take long to discover climbing and mountaineering, and after 10 years of learning the ropes on 3-6000 metre peaks, I was lucky enough to go climb Cho Oyu (8201 metres) in 2013, my first 8000 metre peak. Six months later I was supposed to climb Everest, however thieves broke into my home and relieved me of all my gear. So I postponed to 2015. Unfortunately my father passed away early that year and once again I had to postpone. But, like a lot of things in life, what often seems to be bad luck is a blessing in disguise. In 2014, at least 16 Sherpas died when a serac fell from above, while they climbed the Khumba Icefall and then the 2015 earthquake, which killed thousands, including at least 22 people at base camp, put an end to all climbing those seasons.
By the time 2016 came around both my employer and my wife were getting sick of my changing plans. So, I took my long service leave, booked a trip to Europe with my wife and decided to keep in shape before leaving by hiking some Victorian peaks I hadn’t visited before. I had climbed
Bogong and Feathertop (Victoria’s highest and second highest mountains) many times in winter and summer, but I had no idea what were number three or four or any of the others, so I started researching and listing them. However, a lot of data I found was either wrong or conflicting, and with the lesser-known peaks, almost non-existent. The recording of this information formed the basis of what was to become my website and blog.
James on Calcheck, grade 17, Whistler, Canada James Webb collection
Bushwalk
