Many of you might have noticed my name popping up a little more over the past year — under articles, beside photos, tucked into captions and credits across Vertical Life. So it feels like the right moment to say it properly: I’m incredibly excited (and, if I’m honest, pretty proud) to be stepping into the role of editor.
Before anything else, I want to be clear about one important thing — Wendy hasn’t left us. After years of steering Vertical Life, Wendy has handed the editor role over to me and stepped into an editor-at-large position. This gives her more space to chase some exciting new career goals, while still being very much part of the magazine. I’m hugely grateful for her trust and mentorship, and the solid foundations she’s built and I wouldn’t be stepping into this role without her support.
It’s 2026. A fresh year, a fresh chapter, and a good moment to pause and ask what a climbing magazine can — and should — be right now.
At its core, my vision for Vertical Life is simple. I want this magazine to make you feel something. I want you to laugh at a story, feel inspired by the people and places within these pages, and finish an article with that familiar urge to get outside and touch rock. I want the mag to reflect the climbing community as it actually is — passionate, thoughtful, curious, and deeply connected to the landscapes we climb in.
There’s also a bigger picture here. Vertical Life isn’t just about telling good stories — it’s about supporting the climbing community and industry that makes those stories possible (something I care deeply about).
Over the past year we’ve been working hard behind the scenes on advocacy, access, and representation. That means staying close to the conversations that matter, listening to the people doing the work on the ground, and making space for those voices to be heard. Progress on access doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s driven by climbers, advocates and land managers putting in the time, care and collaboration required to move things forward. One of the roles this magazine plays is helping amplify those voices and keep these conversations moving forward.
I want Vertical Life to feel like an open door. This magazine has always been shaped by its community, and that’s something I want to keep leaning into. If you’ve got a story to tell, images to share, or an idea you’ve been sitting on — send it in.
And gyms — we want to hear from you too. Gym climbing is a sport in its own right these days, with its own culture and energy. From comps to strong local scenes and the people building them, this is something we’re excited to continue celebrating in print and online.
For those reading from over the pond in New Zealand — we’d love to hear what’s happening in your climbing community too. Your stories, places and perspectives are very much part of this conversation, and we want more of them.
Our online platform has been taking shape lately, and this year we’re stepping into the digital space with intent (and a lot of excitement). Expect more fresh articles released throughout the year, more timely stories, and new ways to engage beyond the printed page.
Rock Revival will continue to grow digitally, giving us the chance to look back and celebrate our climbing history. We will keep covering the big issues — especially around climbing access. There are also some exciting new digital projects in the works, which I can’t wait to share.
The Autumn issue is a pretty good snapshot of where all of this is heading.
In Rock Revival, we share a jaw-dropping and intense account of a 2001 ascent in the Himalayas.
We head to Turkey for sun-soaked limestone and dripping tufas (fair warning: it may trigger flight bookings). Closer to home, we explore W.A’s Stirling Ranges, QLD’s bouldering at Harvey’s Marbles and John Morris tells us his top 17 climbs around the country.
Tommy Hutchinson dives into his journey of learning how to resole climbing shoes. Our good friend Simey (Simon Mentz) reflects on getting older, with honesty and perspective. We also celebrate big wall achievements on El Cap, and Ryan Gaskon smashing his ambitious goal of 25 Grade 25s in 2025 — what an incredible milestone!
There’s plenty more tucked into these pages.
This is only the beginning. Thanks for reading, for contributing, for advocating, and for being part of the Vertical Life community. I’m really looking forward to where this next chapter takes us — together.
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