DOLOMITES, ITALY
I grew up in Innsbruck, Austria, and had many family holidays in the Dolomite Mountains in north-eastern Italy. The Dolomites are where I learnt to ski, where I lost my first tooth and where the family went for long walks in the springtime beneath the towering mountains. Returning some 30 years later, 14 weeks pregnant and in pursuit of rock climbing, was a kind of awakening for me. I'd come full circle, doing something I had never dreamed of as a six year old.
BLUE MOUNTAINS
In my early 20s I was living and working in Sydney completely career-focused. Back then, I was not really an "outdoors person" but my increasingly frequent visits to the Blue Mountains changed all of that. Rock climbing kind of landed in my lap, smashing my preconceptions of how my life would pan out. The mountains became my playground, giving me a life of intrigue and adventure among its beauty and splendour.
MADAGASCAR
By 2007, I'd travelled overseas extensively but was unusually apprehensive about heading to Madagascar. We travelled for four days before reaching the island's "Wild West" interior, marvelling at its diverse landscapes, mischievous lemurs, lush rainforests and jagged pinnacles. While I felt totally out of my comfort zone climbing the massive 800-metre granite domes, it was the most adventurous climbing trip I've done and has left me with some priceless memories.
TASMANIA
The Totem Pole, a spectacular 65-metre high dolerite column looming out of the ocean, lies on the Tasman Peninsula. I once saw a photo of two guys climbing the Totem Pole and I thought that they were absolutely crazy. I never thought it was something that I would do. Years later an impromptu trip saw me standing on top of the "Tote" having just climbed it without falling. I had overcome my fears and my preconceptions; it opened my eyes to what I might be able to achieve with my climbing career.
CATALUNYA
Catalunya in Spain is my favourite climbing region to visit. It always motivates me to push myself harder than ever. I've spent weeks or even months at its different cliffs which are the gathering grounds for the top international climbers. I've forged great friendships there, been humbled and inspired, and had my eyes opened to what is possible. Catalunya's rhythm beats in tune to my own.
In October, Monique and her partner, photographer Simon Carter, will lead Australia's first commercial rock-climbing adventure tour to the San Vito Lo Capo in Sicily (known as the Italian Holy Grail). Phone 1300 720 000. See worldexpeditions.com.
