Open Spaces

After the discovery of the historically significant 1909 roped rock climbing image on Mackays Peak in the Grampians National Park (link below) we decided to do a bit more digging, especially of the George Rose stereograph images scattered around the country. We eventually contacted Ron Blum, the Adelaide-based author of 'George Rose, Australia's Master Stereographer'. Ron was incredibly helpful and after sorting through his personal collection he managed to locate another bunch of roped rock climbing images taken in the Grampians during that same 1908-1909 period. This first image shows four women rock climbing at Barneys Castle (Barbican Rocks). It was common during this era that active outdoors women (walkers and climbers) would wear pantaloons tied at the ankles and long flowing skirts over the top for ease of movement. Parks Victoria states that Barbican Rocks is currently under review as a rock climbing destination.