CLIMBER or lunatic?

That's the question Alastair Lee has to ask himself when he scales the rocky ridges of some of the most remote mountains in the world.

The 24-year-old from Holden Close, Barrowford, has had a book published about climbing in Australia, 'Oz Rock' and has just finished its sequel on New Zealand, 'NZ Rock.'

He hopes his books will give an alternative view of the climbing scene and put across some of his enthusiasm for the wide open spaces and stunning scenery Down Under.

Alastair started climbing just four and a half years ago. He said: "I have always been energetic, but I never found anything that my heart was in.

"I had decided to go travelling before I started climbing. When I was away I found myself wanting to climb and I ended up doing all the research for the book by accident.

"By the time I had gone round Australia it dawned on me that I had a lot of information that had not really been documented before, so I had the idea of putting the book together. I came back, wrote it and got it published within six months." Alastair travels on his own, but seeks out local climbers who can show him the ropes. That way, he said, he can quickly pick up in-depth knowledge of the climbs from the people who know them best. Although he has plenty of photographs of himself hanging off ledges and posing on top of dangerous ridges, he said the climbing itself was only part of the appeal of mountains.

"It is not just about the climbing but also about the fantastic lifestyle climbing can give you," he said. "The climb is a bonus - I just like being there. It is very much a contrast to the modern, busy world where you don't get two seconds to yourself.

"In Australia the crags are generally a bit more spacious and less congested than in Britain. You can be at a really great crag for two weeks and not see anybody.

"You experience isolation and can really get back to Mother Nature. And of course the weather is better."

Alastair will present a show about his travels, called Climber or Lunatic? at Daniel's, Penny Street, Blackburn, next Tuesday, starting at 8pm, admission £3.50. The event has been sponsored by Outdoor Action, Blackburn, and is aimed at anyone with an interest in adventure.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.