Vertical reality: 365 days of getting vertical

Brisbane climber Josh Worley gets vertical.

It was a beautiful summer’s day in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland. After spending a couple of days rock climbing I was now trying something “a little more Swiss”, ice climbing in a glacial crevasse. Attached to the vertical blue ice by the metallic points of my ice tools and crampons I remember taking a moment to soak in the scenery. Maybe it was fate, but at that very moment two wingsuit BASE jumpers flew over our heads. I remember feeling euphoric. Completely immersed in the flow of the climbing and the beauty of the mountains. That was the moment I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life. I was hooked, and I have been seeking out my fix ever since.

Fast forward five years to 2017 and after a recent trip to the climbing mecca of Chamonix I believed I was ready to tackle something bigger. What emerged was a project I am calling, the ‘Vertical Year’.

The Vertical Year incorporates more than 80 objectives across 3 continents over 12 months, whilst aiming to raise $100,000 for youth mental health and climate change. From ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies, high altitude mountaineering in the Peruvian Andes, big wall rock climbing in California and summer alpine routes in New Zealand; I will attempt classic and inspiring lines in starkly different styles and environments.

So why and perhaps more importantly, who cares?

If you attended the Radical Reels Tour or the Banff Mountain Film Festival I am sure you appreciate the audacious feats people at the cutting edge of adventure sports achieve. I certainly do. However I want to show people that you don’t have to be a sponsored athlete to have an epic adventure. If you have a dream and a passion then you can share in those same experiences. Adventure is relative.

I want to show people the benefits of adventure. To me the essence of adventure is leaving our comfort zone behind and venturing into the unknown. This forces us to engage with the environment around us and the hazards within it, not only to be successful, but to ensure our survival. Adventure teaches us so much about ourselves, our environment, human frailty and the human spirit. Lessons that can enrich our lives every day.

Finally I wanted to use this opportunity to give something back to the community. I am aware climbing is a selfish pursuit where no-one necessarily benefits from me suffering to stand on top of a summit. Therefore I have partnered with ReachOut Australia, Australia’s leading online youth mental health agency and the Australian Climate Council with the aim of raising $100,000. The Vertical Year is wholly self-funded which means 100% of all donations go directly to these two charities.

You can donate through the website at www.verticaltyear.com/donate

Josh Worley

You can follow Josh’s adventure by subscribing to his blog on the website or by following the Vertical Year page on Facebookand Instagram.

Photo credits:
photo 1: Weisshorn Snow Ridge 2.JPG – Walking along the final narrow and exposed snow ridge on the North Side of the Weisshorn (4506m) in Switzerland. (Photo by Josh Worley)
photo 2: Blue Mountains.png – Josh climbing in the Blue Mountains, Australia. (Photo by Rebecca Perkins)
photo 3: Portrait of Josh Worley (photo credit Set in Stone Photography)
photo 4: Josh’s partner follows him up the initial rock slabs on Tour Ronde (3792m) above Chamonix. (Photo by Josh Worley)

Recent articles

A still from the film about Mustafa Ceylan soon to screen in the Banff Centre Mountain Film Tour of Australia

Mustafa Ceylan: A Skiing Odyssey of Dedication and Passion

Have you ever found yourself torn between following the path your family has laid out for you and pursuing the passion that truly ignites your soul? Mustafa Ceylan, a man of Turkish descent raised in Switzerland, faced exactly this dilemma. Though groomed to embrace soccer, Mustafa’s heart was drawn to the slopes, where he found his true calling in skiing.

Read More »

The Pioneering Spirit of Antoine Pecher and Eric Jamet in BASE Jumping

In the adrenaline-fueled realm of extreme sports, BASE jumping stands out as a daring pursuit that defies both gravity and convention. Amidst the fearless pioneers of this high-flying discipline, the names Antoine Pecher and Eric Jamet shine brightly, embodying the spirit of adventure and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Read More »
12 Best Christmas Gifts For The Adventure Lover

12 Best Christmas Gifts for the Adventurer 

Do you ever have trouble thinking of a gift for the adventure lover in your life? Or perhaps you’re looking for some inspo for your own wish list? The team at Banff Mountain Film festival Australia has curated a list of gifts that are sure not to disappoint this giving season!

Read More »

Subscribe and…

1. Stay up to date with screening dates
2. Receive a FREE Snow Trip Packing List
3. Receive a FREE Kayaking Trip Packing List
4. Receive a FREE Overnight Bike Packing List