Southern Faces – An Introduction to Rock Climbing in Ōtepoti Dunedin responds to a 25-year absence of a dedicated climbing guidebook for the region, combining practical route information with rich narrative content across geology, ecology, history and community. Rather than simply filling a gap, the project set out to redefine what a guidebook could be — one that fosters a deeper connection to the land and its people as much as it guides climbers to routes.
Southern Faces masthead
Hero image of book in use!
YEAR
2024
ROLE
Design lead
ADDITIONALLY
Finalist 2025 BANFF Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Finalist Wānaka Mountain Film and Book Festival 2025
Finalist New Zealand Best Design Awards 2025.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to bring this project to life. The book was shaped by an extraordinary group of collaborators, contributors and community members who generously gave their time, knowledge and passion to something we all cared deeply about. Together, we created something that feels as much about place as it is about sport, honouring both the technical demands of climbing and the cultural and ecological richness of the landscape.
You can purchase a copy here!
Interview with Kathryn Ryan on RNZ:
Climber Riley Smith on why the sport's popularity is surging
"The layout and format of the book are creative, beautiful and user friendly... This is much more than a climbing guidebook, it's a wider examination and depiction of this incredible place — its geology, Māori and early Pākehā history, wildlife, community, all woven into this volume in a lyrical and creative way."
– excerpt from review for the New Zealand Alpine Club by Dave Brash
"His passion for both climbing and the Dunedin region is palpable — and it's worth a browse even if cracks and crags aren't your thing."
– excerpt from review by 1964 Magazine
Small selection shoawcasing pages and layout style
Southern Faces book launch at Otago Polytechnic, March 2025
Ella searching for a route at Wharewerawera, Long Beach
Pinnacle Sunnyside page preview
Some of the elements making up rock climbing in Dunedin
Southern Faces – An Introduction to Rock Climbing in Ōtepoti Dunedin responds to a 25-year absence of a dedicated climbing guidebook for the region, combining practical route information with rich narrative content across geology, ecology, history and community. Rather than simply filling a gap, the project set out to redefine what a guidebook could be — one that fosters a deeper connection to the land and its people as much as it guides climbers to routes.
Southern Faces masthead
Hero image of book in use!
YEAR
2024
ROLE
Design lead
ADDITIONALLY
Finalist 2025 BANFF Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Finalist Wānaka Mountain Film and Book Festival 2025
Finalist New Zealand Best Design Awards 2025.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to bring this project to life. The book was shaped by an extraordinary group of collaborators, contributors and community members who generously gave their time, knowledge and passion to something we all cared deeply about. Together, we created something that feels as much about place as it is about sport, honouring both the technical demands of climbing and the cultural and ecological richness of the landscape.
You can purchase a copy here!
Interview with Kathryn Ryan on RNZ:
Climber Riley Smith on why the sport's popularity is surging
"The layout and format of the book are creative, beautiful and user friendly... This is much more than a climbing guidebook, it's a wider examination and depiction of this incredible place — its geology, Māori and early Pākehā history, wildlife, community, all woven into this volume in a lyrical and creative way."
– excerpt from review for the New Zealand Alpine Club by Dave Brash
"His passion for both climbing and the Dunedin region is palpable — and it's worth a browse even if cracks and crags aren't your thing."
– excerpt from review by 1964 Magazine
Small selection shoawcasing pages and layout style
Southern Faces book launch at Otago Polytechnic, March 2025
Ella searching for a route at Wharewerawera, Long Beach
Pinnacle Sunnyside page preview
Some of the elements making up rock climbing in Dunedin
Southern Faces – An Introduction to Rock Climbing in Ōtepoti Dunedin responds to a 25-year absence of a dedicated climbing guidebook for the region, combining practical route information with rich narrative content across geology, ecology, history and community. Rather than simply filling a gap, the project set out to redefine what a guidebook could be — one that fosters a deeper connection to the land and its people as much as it guides climbers to routes.
Southern Faces masthead
Hero image of book in use!
YEAR
2024
ROLE
Design lead
ADDITIONALLY
Finalist 2025 BANFF Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Finalist Wānaka Mountain Film and Book Festival 2025
Finalist New Zealand Best Design Awards 2025.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to bring this project to life. The book was shaped by an extraordinary group of collaborators, contributors and community members who generously gave their time, knowledge and passion to something we all cared deeply about. Together, we created something that feels as much about place as it is about sport, honouring both the technical demands of climbing and the cultural and ecological richness of the landscape.
You can purchase a copy here!
Interview with Kathryn Ryan on RNZ:
Climber Riley Smith on why the sport's popularity is surging
"The layout and format of the book are creative, beautiful and user friendly... This is much more than a climbing guidebook, it's a wider examination and depiction of this incredible place — its geology, Māori and early Pākehā history, wildlife, community, all woven into this volume in a lyrical and creative way."
– excerpt from review for the New Zealand Alpine Club by Dave Brash
"His passion for both climbing and the Dunedin region is palpable — and it's worth a browse even if cracks and crags aren't your thing."
– excerpt from review by 1964 Magazine
Small selection shoawcasing pages and layout style
Southern Faces book launch at Otago Polytechnic, March 2025
Ella searching for a route at Wharewerawera, Long Beach
Pinnacle Sunnyside page preview
Some of the elements making up rock climbing in Dunedin