Mountain rockers beat Sydney Covid lockdown blues

Leaving days before Sydney’s lockdown crunch, rock climbing mates, Kit Wilson and James Montgomery feared their two-week adventure to the Blue Mountains was in strife.

Rock climbers Kit Wilson, 20, and James Montgomery, 21, in the Blue Mountains, having just made it before the lockdown was imposed. Picture: Jane Dempster

Leaving days before Sydney’s lockdown crunch, rock-climbing mates Kit Wilson and James Montgomery feared their two-week adventure to the Blue Mountains was in strife, as surging case numbers and a slew of new restrictions threw their holiday plans – along with those of thousands of other Sydneysiders – into a state of limbo.

 “I thought new restrictions and rising cases would stop us from getting out and climbing,” said Mr Wilson, who drove from Queensland to join Mr Montgomery for their annual outdoor bash. “So, I just decided to throw the climbing gear in the back of the car and come out beforehand, when it was still possible.”

Long treks and steep climbs have become a regular feature for Mr Wilson, 20, and Mr Montgomery, 21, who have scaled some of the best rockfaces and escarpments across the country. But the Centennial Glen circuit, set on the outskirts of Katoomba overlooking the Megalong Valley, remains a favourite.

“Clearly, there are still restrictions here, but I think it’s a great move to encourage people outdoors to exercise and keep active,” Mr Wilson said. “I know I’m lucky I made it out here, with people having to cancel holidays at the end of last week, but it’s good you have the flexibility to allow some outdoor exercise and activity.”

Mr Wilson, who experienced more than a month of lockdown in Queensland last year, said he was determined to try to make the holiday work, adding he agreed with the current lockdown measures imposed by the NSW government. “Having been in lock­down and cancelled holidays before, it made me realise how important it is to your mental health to make sure you get outdoors when you can … and there are not many places like this,” he said.

While restrictions have caused restaurants, pubs and tourist operators to close shop – just as businesses are normally anticipating their busiest and most profitable season – the pair reckon residents are less anxious about “outsiders” than they were during last year.

 “Last time we were here it wasn’t lockdown, but everyone seemed a little on edge and uncertain about new or unfamiliar faces,” said Mr Montgomery, who travels regularly from Sydney to Katoomba to stay in a cabin for the holidays. “But everyone seems less tense this time.” 

Asked if he thought locals would report “outsiders” flouting lockdown rules, Mr Wilson said: “I don’t think anyone would dob on people they thought were breaking lockdown rules. They did last year, but I think it’s now more of community initiative … they’ll police it themselves rather than tell the authorities.”

But the rock-climbing duo weren’t the only pair to scale the mountain, with scores of bush walkers and climbers making the most of the clear conditions.

A group of three climbers, who first met at university in Sydney in 2020, said they’d each moved to the Blue Mountains towards the end of last year to escape the city bustle and complete their studies online while they could explore the bush and go climbing.

“I’ve lived in Katoomba for almost three months,” said Karina So, the youngest of the group.

“I moved because I thought I can work out here, finish my degree online – it’s all done virtually – and go outdoors to this amazing landscape.

 “It’s also a respite from Covid,” she said, adding: “I’m glad I’m out of the city now. I know we have the restrictions here too, but it feels like I’m freer.”