Rick White (rock climber)
Encyclopedia
Rick White was an Australia
n rock climber, best known for discovering and developing the rock climbing destination of Frog Buttress
near Boonah in Queensland
, Australia
.
During the late 1960s and 1970s, White and his friends pushed the physical, mental and technological limits of free and aid climbing, and dragged the Queensland climbing scene, kicking and screaming into the modern era. At the same time, climbing equipment was extremely hard to purchase in Australia, so he founded Mountain Designs as a way to import gear from the United States.
White was the first person to solo Ball's Pyramid
in an impressive time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Many of his first ascents still challenge even the most talented climbers of today.
In his later years he developed a muscular disease that prevented him from climbing. He remained active in the climbing scene however, and coached a number of young competitive climbers such as Cass Crane.
He died in Winchester
Hospital in the United Kingdom from cancer; his ashes were scattered from the top of the first route he did at Frog Buttress, 'Corner of Eden'.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n rock climber, best known for discovering and developing the rock climbing destination of Frog Buttress
Frog Buttress
Frog Buttress is a cliff on the north-west side of Mount French, in the Moogerah Peaks National Park near the town of Boonah in Queensland, Australia. It became famous when local rock climbers Rick White and Chris Meadows discovered it in 1968...
near Boonah in Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
During the late 1960s and 1970s, White and his friends pushed the physical, mental and technological limits of free and aid climbing, and dragged the Queensland climbing scene, kicking and screaming into the modern era. At the same time, climbing equipment was extremely hard to purchase in Australia, so he founded Mountain Designs as a way to import gear from the United States.
White was the first person to solo Ball's Pyramid
Ball's Pyramid
Ball's Pyramid is an erosional remnant of a shield volcano and caldera that formed about 7 million years ago. Ball's Pyramid is southeast of Lord Howe Island in the Pacific Ocean. It is high, while measuring only in length and across, making it the tallest volcanic stack in the world...
in an impressive time of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Many of his first ascents still challenge even the most talented climbers of today.
In his later years he developed a muscular disease that prevented him from climbing. He remained active in the climbing scene however, and coached a number of young competitive climbers such as Cass Crane.
He died in Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
Hospital in the United Kingdom from cancer; his ashes were scattered from the top of the first route he did at Frog Buttress, 'Corner of Eden'.