First ascents. Pathbreaking moments. Legendary expeditions. The North Face Adventure Grant is an opportunity to embrace the unknown and do things your way.
Announcing the recipients of The North Face Adventure Grant for 2025:
Will Vidler, Tom Spence & Adrian Vanoni.
In a unique take on a climbing adventure, the group will form two teams to climb the premiere big walls in both Australia & New Zealand – and name one with the title of Best Big Wall.
In a friendly competition between the two countries, Will Vidler will represent Australia, Tom Spence will represent New Zealand, and Adrian Vanoni will act as The Adjudicator. Each team will be along for the journey, and criteria will cover not just the rock climbing itself, but also elements like unique crag snacks, location, and who can find the best souvenir t-shirt.
THE CLIMBS
AUSTRALIA
Ozymandias. Grade 28
An Australian Icon
Established in 1988
9 Pitches Over 280 Metres
NEW ZEALAND
Mile High Club. Grade 26/27
The New Kid On The Block
Established in 2020
22 Pitches over 700 Metres
Follow along next year for this Aussie-Kiwi big wall showdown, as we share more about the two climbs, three friends, and the 982 metres of rock. Adventure is better with friends.
Adventure Grant Past Recipients
Get in on the adventure and explore previous Adventure Grant recipients.
Finding Joe
A Kayak Adventure into the Heart of Fiordland
The 2024 Adventure Grant was awarded to Mike Dawson, George Snook & River Mutton who journeyed through 140km of remote wilderness for their attempt to complete the first kayak descent of the Joe River.
Dancing on the Edge
A Vertical Dance on the Murchison River
The North Face Adventure Grant recipients of 2023 – Emily Lecky, Amelia Poole and Jessica Iles – set out to cover great distances by foot, and create art through dance on the rock walls surrounding the Murchison River.
When they slowed to the pace of the landscape, the creation came easily.
Expedition on the Mighty Martuwarra
The North Face Adventure Grant recipients of 2022 – Mark Coles Smith, Jackson Gallagher and Lachie Carracher – recount their journey on the mighty Martuwarra during the third biggest wet season on record.
The Wisdom of No Escape
2021 Adventure Grant recipient Milly Young set out to run the full length of the Port Davey and South Coast Tracks in remote southwest Tasmania. Milly recalls the grueling journey of over 180 kilometres.
Videographer Alex Caplin captured the highs and lows of her successful mission.
InSpire
A Bungles Tale
Motivated by a paragraph in a small old guidebook, John Morris and Melanie Ruetzel set a goal to climb three 100m+ spires of rock in the Warrumbungle National Park in one day.
Belougery Spire, Crater Bluff and Tonduron. Lockdowns, illness, and weather conspire against them. Follow the team through the ups and downs of a wild experience.