Like majority of the climbing mob, I first met Krish at the PCYC around 8 years ago now. My initial contact was through the CAWA networking forum where Krish reached out and invited myself, husband Jake and daughter Ella to jump on the PCYC top ropes in a freezing gymnasium. We had only really climbed at Arapiles, as beginners and enjoyed it. After moving west, climbing was a great way to meet new people. It’s been 8 years of great mateship with this crew now.
Krish wouldn’t be the first to take me outdoors in the South West, the introduction to coastal climbing came from PK, who was the first to throw me on trad. Terrified, I loved it and soon after, I nagged my way onto the great traditional climbing crags of the South West with Krish as teacher, who would really show me how trad climbing could open up a great form of competitive, mindful sport.
Krish is right, I love my sport and the physical challenge, I’m competitive regardless of whether I appear or sound confident, and with Krish pushing limits, I quickly fell in love with hardware… all except cams! Krish’s excitement is hilarious. He really gets excited by climbing, you can really see how energised climbing makes Krish. Its motivating.
My favourite trad climbing session was an outing to Wilyabrup, where I mastered Sirius. Not a high trad grade but a gnarly traversing route, I remember Krish being all like, ‘you’ll be right just get on with it girl an do it…’ and I did. He likely used other pom vernacular, which I likely didn’t understand, followed by dad jokes about farts… There’s always dad jokes.
But I climb less and less, with study occupying a great deal of my free time, and my other passion of rugby union following a close second, I haven’t spent much time on the rock. When I do head out, it is with Krish and often his wife and dear friend Lisa, as one can sit in a good space of being challenged and enjoy the climbing, but also climb safe; it feels very much like going back to basics with each fleeting opportunity I get now.
When I first met Krish I recall he was not accustom to group climbing, or social anything! But I’ve seen him soften over time and really enjoy the shared loved of climbing in a social context, be it bouldering or a session at Welly Dam for a celebration with plenty of tea, plenty of food and a lot of banter. Its pretty neat to be able to just rock up with this mob and climb and just enjoy the challenge, the company and Krish’s bad dad jokes…
Sandbagged 