1 00:00:14,500 --> 00:00:16,420 Hello. 2 00:00:16,420 --> 00:00:16,660 Gus Taylor is a young man, but he's already experienced more challenges Hello. 3 00:00:16,660 --> 00:00:21,460 Gus Taylor is a young man, but he's already experienced more challenges 4 00:00:21,460 --> 00:00:21,700 Gus Taylor is a young man, but he's already experienced more challenges than most people face in a lifetime. 5 00:00:21,700 --> 00:00:23,980 than most people face in a lifetime. 6 00:00:23,980 --> 00:00:24,220 than most people face in a lifetime. His single-minded love of rockclimbing 7 00:00:24,220 --> 00:00:27,340 His single-minded love of rockclimbing 8 00:00:27,340 --> 00:00:30,220 has delivered him both wonderful highs and devastating lows, 9 00:00:30,220 --> 00:00:33,740 but the sport's given him something to hold on to 10 00:00:33,740 --> 00:00:33,980 but the sport's at times when he's felt lost. 11 00:00:33,980 --> 00:00:36,020 at times when he's felt lost. 12 00:00:38,380 --> 00:00:41,300 (LABOURED BREATHING) 13 00:00:46,140 --> 00:00:51,420 Funny thing, climbing, like, I mean, hate it and love it. 14 00:00:53,940 --> 00:00:58,220 It's given me everything and it's taken... 15 00:00:58,220 --> 00:01:01,660 ..taken a lot away. 16 00:01:01,660 --> 00:01:03,420 Oh, Jesus. 17 00:01:03,420 --> 00:01:07,020 95% of the time you're failing. 18 00:01:08,180 --> 00:01:09,900 That's the point. 19 00:01:09,900 --> 00:01:11,780 (GRUNTS) 20 00:01:12,740 --> 00:01:13,780 (STRAINS) 21 00:01:15,180 --> 00:01:20,900 It's focusing on what you can try differently next time that matters. 22 00:01:24,620 --> 00:01:29,340 Trying to turn mistakes into something much better. 23 00:01:29,340 --> 00:01:31,020 Turning mistakes into gold. 24 00:01:50,940 --> 00:01:52,340 MAN: If you tell him how strong he is, 25 00:01:52,340 --> 00:01:55,500 you know, he'll shrug it off and tell me to shut up. 26 00:01:55,500 --> 00:01:55,780 Poor old Gus, he's been through a lot. you know, he'll shrug it off and tell me to shut up. 27 00:01:55,780 --> 00:01:58,100 Poor old Gus, he's been through a lot. 28 00:01:58,100 --> 00:01:59,820 No-one deserves what he's been through. 29 00:02:01,860 --> 00:02:03,860 He kind of blames everything that's happened on himself, 30 00:02:03,860 --> 00:02:04,100 which is entirely untrue. that's happened on himself, 31 00:02:04,100 --> 00:02:05,460 which is entirely untrue. 32 00:02:05,460 --> 00:02:05,700 which is entirely untrue. never convince him of that. 33 00:02:05,700 --> 00:02:07,300 But you can never convince him of that. 34 00:02:07,300 --> 00:02:07,540 But you can never convince him of that. NEWSREADER: Breaking news for you, 35 00:02:07,540 --> 00:02:08,540 NEWSREADER: Breaking news for you, 36 00:02:08,540 --> 00:02:10,260 a rockclimbing accident in the Blue Mountains. 37 00:02:10,260 --> 00:02:13,060 REPORTER: He was rockclimbing with a friend off Sublime Point Road 38 00:02:13,060 --> 00:02:13,820 when he was struck... 39 00:02:13,820 --> 00:02:16,300 Where I was was not a healthy headspace. 40 00:02:16,300 --> 00:02:22,740 I didn't feel like I deserved to be, to be around. 41 00:02:25,580 --> 00:02:28,340 Self-forgiveness is, um... 42 00:02:28,340 --> 00:02:29,740 ..that's the end goal. 43 00:02:42,620 --> 00:02:44,060 MAN: He was always a climber. 44 00:02:44,060 --> 00:02:44,300 When he was a kid he just...he'd walk along the top of a timber fence MAN: He was always a climber. 45 00:02:44,300 --> 00:02:47,940 When he was a kid he just...he'd walk along the top of a timber fence 46 00:02:47,940 --> 00:02:49,740 and just balance along the top of the fence. 47 00:02:49,740 --> 00:02:49,980 and just balance along the top of the fence. You know, at four or five years old. 48 00:02:49,980 --> 00:02:52,260 You know, at four or five years old. 49 00:02:53,580 --> 00:02:59,100 Before climbing, music was definitely my first obsession. 50 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:00,380 Dad was in a band. 51 00:03:00,380 --> 00:03:04,180 And when he quit that, we landed in Parkes, 52 00:03:04,180 --> 00:03:04,420 And when he quit that, you know, small country town. 53 00:03:04,420 --> 00:03:07,460 you know, small country town. 54 00:03:07,460 --> 00:03:11,820 Both my daughter Chelsea and Angus wouldn't talk to me. 55 00:03:11,820 --> 00:03:13,740 They were really cranky with me because, 56 00:03:13,740 --> 00:03:13,980 They were really cranky with me why did I take them from Sydney, 57 00:03:13,980 --> 00:03:15,460 why did I take them from Sydney, 58 00:03:15,460 --> 00:03:17,940 away from all their friends, and all that. 59 00:03:19,940 --> 00:03:21,780 I think Dad was worried that, 60 00:03:21,780 --> 00:03:25,380 you know, it wasn't working out sort of thing. 61 00:03:25,380 --> 00:03:30,260 I came home one day and there was a drum kit in the house. 62 00:03:30,260 --> 00:03:30,500 I came home one day and Yeah. My eyes lit up. 63 00:03:30,500 --> 00:03:31,900 Yeah. My eyes lit up. 64 00:03:34,300 --> 00:03:36,020 RYAN: We were so excited. 65 00:03:36,020 --> 00:03:38,740 You know, just a few blokes from Parkes 66 00:03:38,740 --> 00:03:40,980 started playing music together in high school, 67 00:03:40,980 --> 00:03:44,380 and all of a sudden we got this fancy label from Sydney, 68 00:03:44,380 --> 00:03:48,100 this fancy studio, wanting to record our music. 69 00:03:49,540 --> 00:03:52,580 That's pretty much the birth story of Bears With Guns. 70 00:03:54,980 --> 00:03:58,780 Things just really started to snowball. 71 00:03:58,780 --> 00:03:59,020 Things just really started Crowds got bigger and bigger, 72 00:03:59,020 --> 00:04:01,260 Crowds got bigger and bigger, 73 00:04:01,260 --> 00:04:04,220 and then we ended up doing a couple of national tours. 74 00:04:11,540 --> 00:04:14,260 It was such a good ride. It was so much fun. 75 00:04:23,780 --> 00:04:27,540 WOMAN: I met Gus in my first year of my music degree, 76 00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:27,820 and I went to a few of his gigs, and we ended up hanging out a lot, WOMAN: I met Gus in my first year of my music degree, 77 00:04:27,820 --> 00:04:31,220 and I went to a few of his gigs, and we ended up hanging out a lot, 78 00:04:31,220 --> 00:04:34,020 and then we were obsessed with each other very quickly. 79 00:04:35,660 --> 00:04:39,460 It was amazing. Like, I was head over heels. 80 00:04:39,460 --> 00:04:44,260 We were together for about five years before I proposed. 81 00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:49,780 The wedding was brilliant. 82 00:04:49,780 --> 00:04:56,500 And everything was, you know, rainbows and unicorns really. 83 00:04:57,580 --> 00:05:03,980 But I think, you know, we were young. We were young. 84 00:05:05,580 --> 00:05:08,900 I developed a fairly brutal case of bulimia, 85 00:05:08,900 --> 00:05:13,220 which led to some really strange thought patterns and choices. 86 00:05:13,220 --> 00:05:19,820 I ended up at a point getting suddenly quite a bit of attention 87 00:05:19,820 --> 00:05:25,020 from a third person, and we did eventually end up having a kiss. 88 00:05:25,020 --> 00:05:25,260 from a third person, and we did Didn't go any further than that, 89 00:05:25,260 --> 00:05:26,900 Didn't go any further than that, 90 00:05:26,900 --> 00:05:30,020 contrary to popular belief, that was... 91 00:05:30,020 --> 00:05:32,540 But there was absolutely an emotional component going on. 92 00:05:32,540 --> 00:05:35,420 It hit me like a ton of bricks, basically. 93 00:05:35,420 --> 00:05:40,060 For some reason, I just couldn't... I couldn't move past it. 94 00:05:42,500 --> 00:05:47,380 I split with Rosie, and I made the call to leave the band, 95 00:05:47,380 --> 00:05:53,340 which was certainly hard news to break to my best mates. 96 00:05:53,340 --> 00:05:57,300 But, yeah, I needed to find north on the compass again. 97 00:05:59,340 --> 00:06:04,180 I have said that I married a drummer and divorced a climber 98 00:06:04,180 --> 00:06:04,420 I have said that I married because by the time we were done, 99 00:06:04,420 --> 00:06:05,820 because by the time we were done, 100 00:06:05,820 --> 00:06:06,060 I mean particularly because by the time we were done, 101 00:06:06,060 --> 00:06:08,300 I mean particularly after we broke up, 102 00:06:08,300 --> 00:06:09,460 he really dove into climbing a lot. 103 00:06:12,220 --> 00:06:15,220 I had a job in a climbing shop. 104 00:06:15,220 --> 00:06:15,460 Every weekend was getting in the car I had a job in a climbing shop. 105 00:06:15,460 --> 00:06:20,180 Every weekend was getting in the car and just climbing. 106 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:20,420 Every weekend was getting in the car And it sounds ridiculous saying this, 107 00:06:20,420 --> 00:06:22,060 And it sounds ridiculous saying this, 108 00:06:22,060 --> 00:06:24,860 but I needed something to hold on to. 109 00:06:24,860 --> 00:06:26,900 That's it. Come on. 110 00:06:26,900 --> 00:06:28,340 Good to see you. 111 00:06:28,340 --> 00:06:28,580 MAN: Angus is Good to see you. 112 00:06:28,580 --> 00:06:30,500 MAN: Angus is an insanely good climber. 113 00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:32,180 I'm not saying he makes it look easy, 114 00:06:32,180 --> 00:06:35,380 but he kind of makes it look easy sometimes. 115 00:06:35,380 --> 00:06:35,660 And there's a, both, like, an intensity but he kind of makes it look easy sometimes. 116 00:06:35,660 --> 00:06:39,940 And there's a, both, like, an intensity 117 00:06:39,940 --> 00:06:42,700 and this, like, calmness. 118 00:06:42,700 --> 00:06:42,940 and this, like, calmness. So in 2016, I moved up here to the Blue Mountains. 119 00:06:42,940 --> 00:06:46,580 So in 2016, I moved up here to the Blue Mountains. 120 00:06:46,580 --> 00:06:46,860 On a Saturday morning I'd be like, "I'm in paradise." So in 2016, I moved up here to the Blue Mountains. 121 00:06:46,860 --> 00:06:50,420 On a Saturday morning I'd be like, "I'm in paradise." 122 00:06:53,460 --> 00:06:57,740 My climbing really sort of went in leaps and bounds. 123 00:06:57,740 --> 00:07:01,620 I started dreaming about going somewhere in the world 124 00:07:01,620 --> 00:07:05,860 and just doing nothing but climbing every single day, 125 00:07:05,860 --> 00:07:09,540 which is where the US trip came into focus. 126 00:07:15,100 --> 00:07:19,020 There's this crack-climbing mecca there called Indian Creek. 127 00:07:19,020 --> 00:07:23,660 It's like this-size crack from bottom to top 128 00:07:23,660 --> 00:07:23,900 It's like this-size crack in a straight line. 129 00:07:23,900 --> 00:07:25,860 in a straight line. 130 00:07:25,860 --> 00:07:28,020 It's just remarkable. 131 00:07:29,220 --> 00:07:33,500 And so I saved up all my money, headed over to the US, 132 00:07:33,500 --> 00:07:38,940 and just spent eight weeks being an absolute dirt bag. 133 00:07:41,500 --> 00:07:44,180 MAN: Going up there. Fuck, yeah. 134 00:07:45,780 --> 00:07:48,100 That dirt bag life 135 00:07:48,100 --> 00:07:48,340 is something widely revered amongst climbers. That dirt bag life 136 00:07:48,340 --> 00:07:54,420 is something widely revered amongst climbers. 137 00:07:54,420 --> 00:07:54,700 is something widely revered amongst climbers. Just hit the road and dedicate everything to climbing. 138 00:07:54,700 --> 00:07:59,580 Just hit the road and dedicate everything to climbing. 139 00:08:00,940 --> 00:08:02,980 Old tagline. 140 00:08:02,980 --> 00:08:07,900 I'm gonna walk around and then do Monster Tower. 141 00:08:07,900 --> 00:08:09,620 You can see he's stoked from here. 142 00:08:10,860 --> 00:08:12,020 That's what we're going up. 143 00:08:12,020 --> 00:08:13,700 Yeah, Gus. 144 00:08:22,860 --> 00:08:25,940 We decided to go to a place called Joshua Tree, 145 00:08:25,940 --> 00:08:32,740 very much one of the birthplaces of hard climbing in the US. 146 00:08:32,740 --> 00:08:37,500 And one of these boulders really sort of struck me. 147 00:08:38,780 --> 00:08:43,940 The White Rastafarian, which is a five-metre-tall boulder 148 00:08:43,940 --> 00:08:44,180 The White Rastafarian, somewhere in that vicinity. 149 00:08:44,180 --> 00:08:45,940 somewhere in that vicinity. 150 00:08:48,100 --> 00:08:50,020 Gus would have a go, and then I'd go, 151 00:08:50,020 --> 00:08:51,740 and I'd go one move higher than him, 152 00:08:51,740 --> 00:08:53,980 and then he'd go one move higher than me. 153 00:08:53,980 --> 00:08:56,500 Got to a point where I said, "You know what? 154 00:08:56,500 --> 00:08:59,020 "That's...that's enough for me for today." 155 00:08:59,020 --> 00:09:02,820 We decided that I would stand off to the side and take photos. 156 00:09:05,060 --> 00:09:09,780 I just had this gut feeling. 157 00:09:09,780 --> 00:09:12,180 It just wasn't...wasn't good. 158 00:09:12,180 --> 00:09:17,540 But am I just scared because I'm scared? 159 00:09:17,540 --> 00:09:21,540 Or is there a good reason to be scared? 160 00:09:23,780 --> 00:09:30,180 Angus' fall was very much out of control. 161 00:09:30,180 --> 00:09:30,420 Angus' fall It took me a couple of seconds 162 00:09:30,420 --> 00:09:32,660 It took me a couple of seconds 163 00:09:32,660 --> 00:09:36,580 to realise that the screams I was hearing from Angus 164 00:09:36,580 --> 00:09:36,820 to realise that the screams weren't frustration, 165 00:09:36,820 --> 00:09:38,420 weren't frustration, 166 00:09:38,420 --> 00:09:43,660 they were pain, fear, injury. 167 00:09:47,100 --> 00:09:49,340 My leg was spaghetti. 168 00:09:49,340 --> 00:09:51,740 I was in a lot of pain. 169 00:09:51,740 --> 00:09:54,340 The bones had completely shattered. 170 00:09:54,340 --> 00:09:56,420 They'd come out of my leg. 171 00:10:02,940 --> 00:10:06,380 Once Angus made it back to Australia, 172 00:10:06,380 --> 00:10:06,620 Once Angus it was heartbreaking. 173 00:10:06,620 --> 00:10:10,380 it was heartbreaking. 174 00:10:10,380 --> 00:10:12,260 One day he'd get good news saying 175 00:10:12,260 --> 00:10:16,140 that, "Hey, it looks like your bones are fusing again." 176 00:10:16,140 --> 00:10:20,500 And then a week later 177 00:10:20,500 --> 00:10:23,820 they'd say, "Oh, no, actually, sorry. It's not. 178 00:10:23,820 --> 00:10:27,060 "We're going to have to do another surgery." 179 00:10:29,620 --> 00:10:31,940 MAN: 11 operations in three years. 180 00:10:31,940 --> 00:10:35,820 Major, major reconstructive efforts to save his leg. 181 00:10:35,820 --> 00:10:36,100 You know, taking bone graft from his femur, Major, major reconstructive efforts to save his leg. 182 00:10:36,100 --> 00:10:38,060 You know, taking bone graft from his femur, 183 00:10:38,060 --> 00:10:38,300 You know, bone graft from his hip. 184 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:40,220 bone graft from his hip. 185 00:10:40,220 --> 00:10:40,420 bone graft from his hip. Uh, you know, big, big surgery. 186 00:10:40,420 --> 00:10:42,940 Uh, you know, big, big surgery. 187 00:10:42,940 --> 00:10:46,460 WOMAN: Ready. Set. Go. No hands. 188 00:10:46,460 --> 00:10:49,060 In and out of surgery, you can't hold down a job. 189 00:10:49,060 --> 00:10:51,580 I couldn't bear with the pain anymore. 190 00:10:51,580 --> 00:10:53,940 It was affecting my mental health. 191 00:10:53,940 --> 00:10:56,500 I was low. Really low. 192 00:10:58,020 --> 00:11:01,860 And amputation was really the only thing left on the table. 193 00:11:03,420 --> 00:11:08,020 It was a horrible three years, actually. Angus was ready. 194 00:11:08,020 --> 00:11:08,260 He really was ready. It was a horrible three years, actually. Angus was ready. 195 00:11:08,260 --> 00:11:09,260 He really was ready. 196 00:11:09,260 --> 00:11:11,740 It just wasn't working. It had to go. 197 00:11:14,060 --> 00:11:17,740 I remember vividly the anaesthetic bay 198 00:11:17,740 --> 00:11:21,220 before I was about to remove Gus' leg. 199 00:11:21,220 --> 00:11:25,780 I just remember saying, "Gus, um, be nervous, mate, 200 00:11:25,780 --> 00:11:26,020 I just remember saying, "but don't be afraid. 201 00:11:26,020 --> 00:11:27,300 "but don't be afraid. 202 00:11:27,300 --> 00:11:27,540 "This is the first day "but don't be afraid. 203 00:11:27,540 --> 00:11:30,460 "This is the first day of the rest of your life." 204 00:11:32,020 --> 00:11:36,700 He woke up in recovery and it was like he was a different person. 205 00:11:43,340 --> 00:11:45,020 It all happened really quickly. 206 00:11:45,020 --> 00:11:46,860 I was at the prosthetist 207 00:11:46,860 --> 00:11:51,020 and, you know, getting sized up for a leg. 208 00:11:53,860 --> 00:11:56,540 So, we're going to do a bit of walking. 209 00:11:56,540 --> 00:11:58,460 Alright. You ready? Yes. 210 00:12:00,740 --> 00:12:02,460 Yeah. 211 00:12:02,460 --> 00:12:05,140 It was maybe a month 212 00:12:05,140 --> 00:12:05,380 where I had my first steps It was maybe a month 213 00:12:05,380 --> 00:12:09,380 where I had my first steps in the new leg, 214 00:12:09,380 --> 00:12:09,620 where I had my first steps and it hurt to high heavens, 215 00:12:09,620 --> 00:12:13,060 and it hurt to high heavens, 216 00:12:13,060 --> 00:12:14,060 but, um... 217 00:12:14,060 --> 00:12:16,820 Is it like that? Yeah. The body just... 218 00:12:16,820 --> 00:12:18,460 It's amazing what the body gets used to. 219 00:12:18,460 --> 00:12:18,700 It's amazing what the body Um, doesn't take much time. 220 00:12:18,700 --> 00:12:20,140 Um, doesn't take much time. 221 00:12:20,140 --> 00:12:23,140 And next minute you're just walking. 222 00:12:23,140 --> 00:12:25,300 And it was an amazing feeling. 223 00:12:37,940 --> 00:12:39,980 JOSH: Yes, yes. Come on. 224 00:12:39,980 --> 00:12:41,580 This is it, bro. Come on. 225 00:12:41,580 --> 00:12:45,820 The climbing world is one that brings people together. 226 00:12:45,820 --> 00:12:46,060 The climbing world is one Yeah. 227 00:12:46,060 --> 00:12:47,380 Yeah. 228 00:12:47,380 --> 00:12:47,620 It's really a giving and caring community Yeah. 229 00:12:47,620 --> 00:12:50,620 It's really a giving and caring community 230 00:12:50,620 --> 00:12:55,380 that I think has really helped Angus find his way back. 231 00:12:56,460 --> 00:12:58,500 (SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT) 232 00:13:00,020 --> 00:13:04,900 They were the net, you know, that I fell into. 233 00:13:04,900 --> 00:13:08,300 They'd all chipped in for this climbing leg, 234 00:13:08,300 --> 00:13:08,540 They'd all chipped in extra pairs of shoes for it, 235 00:13:08,540 --> 00:13:10,780 extra pairs of shoes for it, 236 00:13:10,780 --> 00:13:15,580 and just reinforces how beautiful the climbing community is. 237 00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:20,500 When I'm not climbing, 238 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:22,980 you know, I obviously have a job. 239 00:13:22,980 --> 00:13:23,220 I have to work, you know, I obviously have a job. 240 00:13:23,220 --> 00:13:25,660 I have to work, like the rest of us. 241 00:13:25,660 --> 00:13:29,860 The space that I work in is carbon management and energy. 242 00:13:39,220 --> 00:13:43,700 Life starts taking on a much more normal shape at this point. 243 00:13:43,700 --> 00:13:47,820 And we all decided that we were going to go to see this gig 244 00:13:47,820 --> 00:13:50,500 at the Enmore Theatre. 245 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:53,540 The crowd was wild. 246 00:13:53,540 --> 00:13:56,620 I'm in the mosh with my prosthetic 247 00:13:56,620 --> 00:13:59,980 and really having a time. 248 00:13:59,980 --> 00:14:00,220 And, yeah, and really having a time. 249 00:14:00,220 --> 00:14:05,780 And, yeah, my leg was off at one point 250 00:14:05,780 --> 00:14:09,420 and I was looking down for my leg and I was like... 251 00:14:12,140 --> 00:14:14,100 .."Oh, my God, where did it go?" 252 00:14:16,380 --> 00:14:20,100 It just started sailing across everyone's heads. 253 00:14:20,100 --> 00:14:23,220 It was like a beach ball at a festival or something. 254 00:14:23,220 --> 00:14:23,460 It was like a beach ball But it was my leg. 255 00:14:23,460 --> 00:14:24,740 But it was my leg. 256 00:14:24,740 --> 00:14:27,740 CROWD: (CHANTS) Leggy! Leggy! Leggy! 257 00:14:29,500 --> 00:14:32,140 It was so gross. It was so gross. 258 00:14:34,860 --> 00:14:39,420 Yeah. Kind of the moment that I realised things were fun again. 259 00:14:44,220 --> 00:14:46,220 I'm in my mid-30s, 260 00:14:46,220 --> 00:14:50,100 moving on from the accident, from the divorce. 261 00:14:50,100 --> 00:14:53,380 Um, you know, getting back into music again. 262 00:14:53,380 --> 00:14:53,620 Um, you know, (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) 263 00:14:53,620 --> 00:14:56,780 (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) 264 00:14:56,780 --> 00:14:57,020 This house, this share house (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) 265 00:14:57,020 --> 00:14:58,820 This house, this share house with the guys, 266 00:14:58,820 --> 00:15:01,900 was just sort of the centre of the universe at the time, 267 00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:06,020 and a lot of good times there, making memories. 268 00:15:06,020 --> 00:15:11,900 Part of that was finding and meeting Richard Mills, 269 00:15:11,900 --> 00:15:12,660 or Millsy, 270 00:15:12,660 --> 00:15:16,660 and, yeah, I mean, Legend of Legends. 271 00:15:19,660 --> 00:15:23,020 He's well known as the barefooted, larrikin, 272 00:15:23,020 --> 00:15:25,260 tall, lanky, slinking bass player. 273 00:15:25,260 --> 00:15:27,940 Really chill, easy to get along with New Zealand bloke. 274 00:15:29,620 --> 00:15:32,620 RYAN: So, Millsy was on a few television ads. 275 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:36,380 He was a handsome bastard. 276 00:15:36,380 --> 00:15:37,940 JINGLE: Gotta do your thing. 277 00:15:37,940 --> 00:15:40,940 He was just always bringing the fun. 278 00:15:40,940 --> 00:15:43,220 Oh, here we go. And the stoke. 279 00:15:43,220 --> 00:15:45,460 And, yeah... Look at that. 280 00:15:45,460 --> 00:15:46,540 What a shot. 281 00:15:46,540 --> 00:15:48,100 Psyched as forever. 282 00:15:53,580 --> 00:15:57,460 Millsy, he'd been, uh, hassling me. 283 00:15:57,460 --> 00:16:03,620 "Hey, mate. How are you? Can we.... Can we go climbing?" 284 00:16:03,620 --> 00:16:03,860 "Hey, mate. How are you? So I thought, OK, 285 00:16:03,860 --> 00:16:06,100 So I thought, OK, 286 00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:12,260 well, what is the best single-day climbing experience 287 00:16:12,260 --> 00:16:16,540 for someone who's never, never been climbing outdoors? 288 00:16:16,540 --> 00:16:22,300 And there's this extraordinarily beautiful climb, 289 00:16:22,300 --> 00:16:22,540 And there's this extraordinarily aptly named Sweet Dreams. 290 00:16:22,540 --> 00:16:25,420 aptly named Sweet Dreams. 291 00:16:27,780 --> 00:16:33,100 WOMAN: Rich FaceTimed us on the Friday before the rock climb. 292 00:16:34,940 --> 00:16:37,620 He sent a couple of pictures to my phone 293 00:16:37,620 --> 00:16:37,860 He sent a couple of pictures of Sweet Dreams, the rock face, 294 00:16:37,860 --> 00:16:40,100 of Sweet Dreams, the rock face, 295 00:16:40,100 --> 00:16:40,300 of Sweet Dreams, the rock face, and we thought, "Holy heck." 296 00:16:40,300 --> 00:16:42,540 and we thought, "Holy heck." 297 00:16:42,540 --> 00:16:46,500 First ever fucking rock climb, mate. 298 00:16:46,500 --> 00:16:51,420 Um, I'm on the edge of a fucking cliff and a mountain. 299 00:16:52,460 --> 00:16:54,940 Yeah, probably about it. 300 00:16:56,660 --> 00:17:00,460 It's arguably one of the safest routes in the Blue Mountains. 301 00:17:00,460 --> 00:17:03,460 You'll be able to get people up this rock climb 302 00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:05,980 who have never spent a day on rock in their lives. 303 00:17:07,420 --> 00:17:10,260 Before we headed up that day, 304 00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:13,780 you know, I was showing Millsy how to use the ropes 305 00:17:13,780 --> 00:17:14,020 you know, I was showing Millsy and how to belay. 306 00:17:14,020 --> 00:17:15,660 and how to belay. 307 00:17:15,660 --> 00:17:15,900 And I remember saying to him, you know, and how to belay. 308 00:17:15,900 --> 00:17:20,220 And I remember saying to him, you know, 309 00:17:20,220 --> 00:17:20,460 And I remember saying to him, you know, "Whatever, whatever happens, 310 00:17:20,460 --> 00:17:22,300 "Whatever, whatever happens, 311 00:17:22,300 --> 00:17:26,860 "like, if a bee comes along and stings you on the face, 312 00:17:26,860 --> 00:17:31,980 "um, just don't... don't let go of the rope." 313 00:17:34,620 --> 00:17:36,460 Yeeew. 314 00:17:36,460 --> 00:17:38,540 Who's this geezer over there? 315 00:17:40,100 --> 00:17:44,300 We, um, started up the climb, 316 00:17:44,300 --> 00:17:48,180 and he was having so much fun. 317 00:17:50,740 --> 00:17:55,500 The smile on his face was, like, priceless. 318 00:17:55,500 --> 00:17:58,580 Well done, I'd say, mate. Well done. Good innings. 319 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:02,300 Hey, mate, we're halfway there. We'll wait till the end. Hey? 320 00:18:02,300 --> 00:18:02,540 Hey, mate, we're halfway there. Wait. Let's wait to the end. 321 00:18:02,540 --> 00:18:04,140 Wait. Let's wait to the end. 322 00:18:04,140 --> 00:18:09,020 I start climbing up the gully. 323 00:18:10,580 --> 00:18:12,780 The rock under my feet, 324 00:18:12,780 --> 00:18:16,140 um, it just gave way. 325 00:18:17,860 --> 00:18:19,380 I called out... 326 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:26,220 ..um, screamed, "Rock!" 327 00:18:26,220 --> 00:18:31,500 Rich saw the rock coming, and he tried to avoid the rock. 328 00:18:31,500 --> 00:18:36,060 So he leaned forward and it smacked him on his back, 329 00:18:36,060 --> 00:18:41,620 which was a 30 centimetre rock, and it just shattered on his back. 330 00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:42,900 When I got to him 331 00:18:42,900 --> 00:18:48,740 he was, um, kind of conscious, unconscious, 332 00:18:48,740 --> 00:18:54,500 sort of somewhere between the two and... 333 00:18:57,500 --> 00:19:00,020 ..you know, he was not in a good way. 334 00:19:01,500 --> 00:19:05,220 But the bastard was still holding the rope, 335 00:19:05,220 --> 00:19:07,140 sort of leant down and give him a hug. 336 00:19:07,140 --> 00:19:07,380 sort of leant down And he said, "I'm so sorry." 337 00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:11,460 And he said, "I'm so sorry." 338 00:19:14,020 --> 00:19:17,380 And he looked at me and he said, "Uh..." 339 00:19:19,900 --> 00:19:21,260 "..it's cool." 340 00:19:22,660 --> 00:19:24,420 He said, "It's cool, man." 341 00:19:28,140 --> 00:19:30,180 And just smiled. 342 00:19:35,340 --> 00:19:37,980 And that was the last thing he said. 343 00:19:42,060 --> 00:19:44,940 We're so grateful that he was there, holding his hand 344 00:19:44,940 --> 00:19:47,180 and looking after him. 345 00:19:50,220 --> 00:19:51,740 NEWSREADER: Breaking news for you. 346 00:19:51,740 --> 00:19:54,220 A rockclimber has died in a freak accident in the Blue Mountains. 347 00:19:54,220 --> 00:19:57,820 REPORTER: The team managed to abseil down a cliff face to get to the man 348 00:19:57,820 --> 00:19:58,940 who was resting on a ledge. 349 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:00,980 But although he was treated at the scene, 350 00:20:00,980 --> 00:20:03,660 he died during the operation this afternoon. 351 00:20:03,660 --> 00:20:03,940 The idea of a rock breaking on Sweet Dreams, he died during the operation this afternoon. 352 00:20:03,940 --> 00:20:09,020 The idea of a rock breaking on Sweet Dreams, 353 00:20:09,020 --> 00:20:09,260 The idea of a rock breaking on Sweet Dreams, causing the injuries that it did 354 00:20:09,260 --> 00:20:11,740 causing the injuries that it did 355 00:20:11,740 --> 00:20:13,220 is just like you wouldn't... 356 00:20:15,020 --> 00:20:19,780 You wouldn't think that was possible in your wildest dreams. 357 00:20:22,180 --> 00:20:23,900 I went into a hole. 358 00:20:26,060 --> 00:20:28,620 I went into a very deep hole 359 00:20:28,620 --> 00:20:31,180 and I didn't want to come out. 360 00:20:33,500 --> 00:20:36,660 I didn't feel like 361 00:20:36,660 --> 00:20:40,700 I deserved to be...to be around. 362 00:20:44,460 --> 00:20:47,260 RYAN: Super worried about Gus during the whole time. 363 00:20:47,260 --> 00:20:47,500 Like, none of us knew what to do. RYAN: Super worried about Gus during the whole time. 364 00:20:47,500 --> 00:20:50,740 Like, none of us knew what to do. 365 00:20:50,740 --> 00:20:52,620 What...? No-one knows what to do. 366 00:20:54,860 --> 00:20:58,860 Millsy's folks were in touch with my mum 367 00:20:58,860 --> 00:20:59,100 Millsy's folks because I wasn't really in a, 368 00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:02,140 because I wasn't really in a, 369 00:21:02,140 --> 00:21:05,820 I didn't really feel like I could talk to anyone. 370 00:21:08,220 --> 00:21:14,340 They came over here from NZ and they took on the role of Millsy, 371 00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:19,660 and they brought everyone together and helped everyone heal together. 372 00:21:21,460 --> 00:21:23,020 How are you? Good to see you both. 373 00:21:23,020 --> 00:21:23,260 How are you? It's bloody good to see you guys. 374 00:21:23,260 --> 00:21:25,140 It's bloody good to see you guys. 375 00:21:25,140 --> 00:21:25,380 How are you? It's bloody good to see you guys. 376 00:21:25,380 --> 00:21:27,180 How are you? Yeah, I'm alright. 377 00:21:27,180 --> 00:21:31,340 They're going through the hardest time you can possibly imagine, 378 00:21:31,340 --> 00:21:35,220 as a parent losing your child, you know. 379 00:21:36,660 --> 00:21:42,580 And there they are, trying to put a hand out and see if I'm doing OK. 380 00:21:42,580 --> 00:21:43,420 You know? 381 00:21:43,420 --> 00:21:46,820 It's that bit of grey...grey wall that's... 382 00:21:46,820 --> 00:21:50,660 So Sweet Dreams is just left. Oh, that one. 383 00:21:50,660 --> 00:21:50,900 So Sweet Dreams is just left. Just a little touch left. 384 00:21:50,900 --> 00:21:51,700 Just a little touch left. 385 00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:51,940 It's just a question I've always Just a little touch left. 386 00:21:51,940 --> 00:21:53,660 It's just a question I've always wanted to ask you, 387 00:21:53,660 --> 00:21:53,900 It's just a question I've always you know, sometimes. 388 00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:54,660 you know, sometimes. 389 00:21:54,660 --> 00:21:56,900 Just having the chance to show you the photo, you know? 390 00:21:56,900 --> 00:21:57,140 Just having the chance So is that the exit? 391 00:21:57,140 --> 00:21:59,300 So is that the exit? 392 00:21:59,300 --> 00:22:00,140 16? 393 00:22:00,140 --> 00:22:03,300 That's the exit here. Through this gully. 394 00:22:03,300 --> 00:22:07,020 I've always just wondered exactly where the position of the climb was. 395 00:22:07,020 --> 00:22:07,300 And I know it's a silly sort of detail, I've always just wondered exactly where the position of the climb was. 396 00:22:07,300 --> 00:22:09,180 And I know it's a silly sort of detail, 397 00:22:09,180 --> 00:22:12,460 but as a parent, it's just nice to know where it all happened. 398 00:22:12,460 --> 00:22:12,740 but as a parent, it's just nice to know where it all happened. Last time we played was at Millsy's graduation, 399 00:22:12,740 --> 00:22:15,620 Last time we played was at Millsy's graduation, 400 00:22:15,620 --> 00:22:15,860 Last time we played when we came here. 401 00:22:15,860 --> 00:22:17,260 when we came here. 402 00:22:19,700 --> 00:22:23,140 Did you ever have a game of pool with Dicky here? 403 00:22:23,140 --> 00:22:25,460 I don't think I did. No, no. Millsy? 404 00:22:25,460 --> 00:22:25,700 I don't think I did. No, no. Hey. Oh, look at that. 405 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:28,740 Hey. Oh, look at that. 406 00:22:31,020 --> 00:22:32,020 Poor old Gus, 407 00:22:32,020 --> 00:22:32,260 I mean, he probably didn't know Poor old Gus, 408 00:22:32,260 --> 00:22:34,500 I mean, he probably didn't know what to expect from us as a family. 409 00:22:34,500 --> 00:22:37,500 We didn't ever think it was Gus's fault. 410 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:37,740 We knew it was a freak accident, it was Gus's fault. 411 00:22:37,740 --> 00:22:39,980 We knew it was a freak accident, 412 00:22:39,980 --> 00:22:40,220 We knew it was a freak accident, and, yeah, we didn't want him to feel any blame for it. 413 00:22:40,220 --> 00:22:45,380 and, yeah, we didn't want him to feel any blame for it. 414 00:22:49,580 --> 00:22:50,860 Oh, shot. 415 00:22:52,220 --> 00:22:57,100 It is something I've found hard to accept. 416 00:22:57,100 --> 00:22:59,340 It just almost seems too gracious. 417 00:23:00,420 --> 00:23:03,340 I just feel like I'm at the centre 418 00:23:03,340 --> 00:23:08,420 of the most painful moment of their lives, you know? 419 00:23:08,420 --> 00:23:08,660 of the most painful moment And that's, um... 420 00:23:08,660 --> 00:23:10,260 And that's, um... 421 00:23:11,580 --> 00:23:13,180 It's hard to sit with. 422 00:23:14,620 --> 00:23:17,420 If Millsy hadn't have been doing his job properly, 423 00:23:17,420 --> 00:23:18,900 Gus would have died as well. 424 00:23:18,900 --> 00:23:20,940 And that's just Rich to the end. 425 00:23:24,740 --> 00:23:30,180 I completely burned the idea of climbing. 426 00:23:30,180 --> 00:23:33,340 It revolted me just thinking about it. 427 00:23:33,340 --> 00:23:33,580 It revolted me But there was a conflicting voice, 428 00:23:33,580 --> 00:23:39,060 But there was a conflicting voice, 429 00:23:39,060 --> 00:23:41,580 which is basically Millsy 430 00:23:41,580 --> 00:23:45,300 telling me to get on with it. 431 00:23:45,300 --> 00:23:45,540 Being in a hole wasn't... telling me to get on with it. 432 00:23:45,540 --> 00:23:50,500 Being in a hole wasn't... wasn't what he wanted. 433 00:23:50,500 --> 00:23:53,780 It's not how he would have lived his life. 434 00:23:53,780 --> 00:23:57,940 If anything, he was the image of the complete opposite. 435 00:23:57,940 --> 00:23:58,180 If anything, he was the image Squeezing the lemon. 436 00:23:58,180 --> 00:24:00,420 Squeezing the lemon. 437 00:24:01,460 --> 00:24:06,180 And I felt like I was dishonouring that. 438 00:24:08,180 --> 00:24:12,540 Angus is resilient. 439 00:24:15,020 --> 00:24:17,060 Over the course of maybe six months or so, 440 00:24:17,060 --> 00:24:22,380 and with a lot of encouragement from the climbing community 441 00:24:22,380 --> 00:24:25,420 and therapy and whatever else that he needed to do, 442 00:24:25,420 --> 00:24:25,660 and therapy and whatever else that eventually got him back. 443 00:24:25,660 --> 00:24:27,700 that eventually got him back. 444 00:24:30,700 --> 00:24:34,980 I really felt sick in the anticipation of doing it. 445 00:24:36,780 --> 00:24:41,380 And then the moment I pulled on, 446 00:24:41,380 --> 00:24:43,580 I don't even know how to explain it, 447 00:24:43,580 --> 00:24:48,740 but it was like a weight had lifted... 448 00:24:51,060 --> 00:24:53,420 ..and I just felt like me. 449 00:24:53,420 --> 00:24:57,940 It was like reconnecting with myself. 450 00:24:57,940 --> 00:24:59,580 It was like... 451 00:25:01,460 --> 00:25:03,780 ..plugging in the lamp. 452 00:25:14,980 --> 00:25:16,580 Okey dokey. 453 00:25:21,300 --> 00:25:24,540 Climbing has this way of moulding itself 454 00:25:24,540 --> 00:25:28,220 into the thing I've needed at the time. 455 00:25:45,980 --> 00:25:47,420 Completely taken by surprise 456 00:25:47,420 --> 00:25:51,940 that I was approached for the National Paraclimbing Team. 457 00:25:51,940 --> 00:25:53,460 I was...I was all for it. 458 00:25:57,260 --> 00:26:00,540 (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 459 00:26:00,540 --> 00:26:00,780 So, using the holds directionally, if we get our left foot up (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) 460 00:26:00,780 --> 00:26:05,140 So, using the holds directionally, if we get our left foot up 461 00:26:05,140 --> 00:26:08,580 and push our left knee all the way over, 462 00:26:08,580 --> 00:26:08,820 and push our left knee all the way over, that position is almost effortless. 463 00:26:08,820 --> 00:26:11,100 that position is almost effortless. 464 00:26:11,100 --> 00:26:14,220 Tonight is really all about trying to raise money 465 00:26:14,220 --> 00:26:18,780 for the paraclimbing team to get them over to the World Cup. 466 00:26:18,780 --> 00:26:20,820 Have you ever climbed before? 467 00:26:20,820 --> 00:26:23,100 Before this I have. Yeah. OK. 468 00:26:23,100 --> 00:26:24,420 JOSH: Taking up competitive climbing 469 00:26:24,420 --> 00:26:27,420 seems like it's been hugely helpful for Gus. 470 00:26:27,420 --> 00:26:31,420 It's given him a goal, something to work towards 471 00:26:31,420 --> 00:26:34,900 and something to focus that energy on. 472 00:26:34,900 --> 00:26:37,900 I mean, it's going to feel really physical, but... 473 00:26:39,020 --> 00:26:40,500 Yes. 474 00:26:40,500 --> 00:26:42,060 Come on. Nice. 475 00:26:42,060 --> 00:26:44,300 Come on. 476 00:26:44,300 --> 00:26:48,100 Come on. Yes! Come on. 477 00:26:48,100 --> 00:26:49,300 Come on. 478 00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:50,660 OSCAR: I think it's so great 479 00:26:50,660 --> 00:26:53,700 that he's carrying on with his passion in life, basically. 480 00:26:53,700 --> 00:26:55,460 So, we're all 100% behind him, eh? 481 00:26:55,460 --> 00:26:57,500 See what happens if you really try 482 00:26:57,500 --> 00:27:01,340 and rock your weight over your left knee. 483 00:27:01,340 --> 00:27:05,500 Just watching him cope in the way that he does, 484 00:27:05,500 --> 00:27:07,420 I really admire 485 00:27:07,420 --> 00:27:07,620 how he just seems to appreciate I really admire 486 00:27:07,620 --> 00:27:10,260 how he just seems to appreciate 487 00:27:10,260 --> 00:27:13,340 the beauty of painful things 488 00:27:13,340 --> 00:27:13,540 the beauty of painful things as well as beautiful things. 489 00:27:13,540 --> 00:27:15,700 as well as beautiful things. 490 00:27:15,700 --> 00:27:18,100 So, we'll get you nice and close. 491 00:27:18,100 --> 00:27:20,580 Climbing doesn't just teach you 492 00:27:20,580 --> 00:27:25,100 the things necessary to get to the top of a climb. 493 00:27:25,100 --> 00:27:27,100 Alright, so I'll clip you in. 494 00:27:27,100 --> 00:27:30,940 It's taught me how to push through. 495 00:27:32,060 --> 00:27:34,700 That's it. Yes. 496 00:27:34,700 --> 00:27:38,820 How to deal with failure. How to grow. How to improve. 497 00:27:38,820 --> 00:27:43,220 Yeah. I mean, climbing is the best teacher I've had. 498 00:27:43,220 --> 00:27:44,420 How's that? 499 00:27:45,860 --> 00:27:48,580 That was actually so rad. 500 00:27:50,740 --> 00:27:51,740 Well done. 501 00:28:16,940 --> 00:28:19,180 # And I said... 502 00:28:19,180 --> 00:28:23,100 # Yeah, yeah, yeah... # 503 00:28:27,860 --> 00:28:29,780 Yeah, buddy. 504 00:28:32,020 --> 00:28:36,100 Whoo! Your leg stayed on. 505 00:28:40,380 --> 00:28:42,180 How was that? 506 00:28:48,540 --> 00:28:50,820 Captions by Red Bee Media 507 00:28:50,820 --> 00:28:53,180 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation