Born on the Sunshine Coast of Australia in 1952, Ian Elliott didn’t start climbing seriously until he had reached his mid-50s.
“It wasn’t an obsession so much as just a desire to get out there. The fact that a lot of the places you’re climbing are beautiful places to be in, and then you’ve got the added challenge of climbing rock.” -Ian Elliot
Despite his nonchalant initial approach, Elliot improved quite a bit during his golden years and took on Mount Kulum, a volcanic intrusion with a massive overhang, right before he turned 70. The Grade 28 (5.12d) route is popular with hardcore climbers in Queensland and he handling the challenge like a man half his age.
Ian’s story is remarkable and his journey is inspiring. Cheers to Ian and all the folks out there who refuse to slow down.
