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“Addictions can be very, very bad but addiction itself is not bad.
It’s a case of what you’re addicted to.
You better live each day like it’s your last, ‘cos one day you’re going to be right”.
Ray Charles.
Link tip a friend
If the outdoors can ever come to an urban setting, then a climbing or bouldering wall is as close as it gets and the Lactic Factory here in Melbourne is run by Christian. Have a look at the details below about what’s offered here but otherwise, come over to say hi and be among kindred spirits. The Lactic Factory is Melbourne and Australia's first dedicated, bouldering-only climbing gym. Located in Abbotsford, it houses Melbourne's bouldering community by offering great routes and atmosphere to train in, all close to public transport.
The Lactic Factory is open 6 days a week (see below for opening hours), where there are facilities for storing bicycles and gear, with drinks and snacks available while training along with a comfy place to chill out.
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 4.30pm - 9.30pm
Saturday: 2pm - 8pm
Friday and Sunday: Closed
Public Holidays: 2pm - 8pm
For the remainder of the climbing season (Oct-Feb) we will be closed on Fridays.
Number 1.
Studley Street
Abbotsford, VIC, 3067
Phone: 03 9416 2508
Fax: 03 9416 2508
E-Mail: christian(at)thelacticfactory.com.au
Or check out www.thelacticfactory.com.au
As well as bouldering, a nice lounge and a 160 double mattresses to fall on, the Lactic Factory has almost certainly the world's biggest working cam. (Alway risky to state this too certainly but it's got to be bloody close you'd reckon).
It was made by Ivan who is a toolmaker by trade and is basically a totally working replica of the traditional 4 lobe Friend model cam.
The trigger retracts, the cams retract and then snap back via heavy duty springs, it weigh 60+ kgs, can protect a crack a metre wide and stands about chest height.
Made of wood?
Paper mache?
Nuh, tooled aluminium and it's testament to the craftsman who made it.
The fact that it takes 3 grown men to even place it in a trench in the ground is beside the point, it's simply a good thing to have around.
Just in case .......
- Here it is taken from where it lives at the bouldering wall.
- And here it is on holiday at the Pines at Arapiles.
A man of contrary tastes in climbing, here are a couple of pics of CM on The Nose but these days it's mainly a crash mat and chalk bucket.
- The classic pic ....