Location: Canmore, AB

Why do you love it living where you do?

Originally what drew me in to Canmore was the close access to a large variety of mountain activities and a nice small town. These days, those original benefits still hold true, but the community I have become a part of here has made it that much sweeter.

Favourite place within walking distance of your house?

One of the many great coffee shops on a nice slow morning.

Activity of choice?

It would have to be climbing. Of any type. From bouldering to big walls, to sport climbing, to alpinism; I love the variety of being a generalist. I do love skiing too.

How did you get into climbing?

I always enjoyed going on adventures in the outdoors as a kid, scrambling around boulder fields and climbing trees. In university a roommate of mine introduced me to bouldering at the local gym. Shortly after I got a job at MEC in Ottawa. The people there were great, they invited me out ice climbing on one of their Wednesday night group outings, I was so psyched right from day one! That winter I kept tagging along and met some great friends and mentors who taught me all the basics. As soon as the snow started melting, I was out rock climbing with the same crew. At the end of that summer, I moved to Canmore having decided I would commit to climbing as much as I could, while trying to become a mountain guide.

A Highlight from last year?

Last Summer my partner Sasha and I completed a north to south traverse of the Howser Towers in the Bugaboos. It was full of adventure and some nice granite splitters! Climbing golden granite corners in the evening light will be a memory that sticks with me for a long time.

What’s one piece of gear that is always in your backpack and why?

I pretty much always have a Das Light Parka on or in my pack. Its warm, light, packable and its synthetic insulation provides some insurance in inclement weather. I use it as an insulating layer all winter on cold ice climbing days and while skiing, and then in the summer it is my go-to belay jacket/emergency warm layer in my pack.

How cold is too cold?

If it’s a dry cold -40. If it’s a humid cold, -5!

Book / podcast / recommendations?

Alfred Lansing’s ‘Endurance’ is probably my favourite adventure story of all time. Two other books that I recently read that were quite good are ‘The Golden Spruce’ by John Vaillant and ‘Educated’ by Tara Westover

One thing you have learnt in the mountains that you wish everyone knew?

There are many things that playing in the mountains has taught me, I might have to pick two. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t (even if you don’t have a good reason why). The people you go to the mountains with are way more important than the route or objective you are going to do.

Name a non-profit in your community that is doing amazing work/or that you’re affiliated with?

I think Mountain Muskox is doing great and important work to create a community to support those who have experienced loss and trauma in the mountains.

A value you feel you align with, with  OnwardUP’s values?

Many of the values OnwardUp holds resonate with me. I’ve always been inspired by the people involved with OnwardUp’s dedication to bettering themselves, learning new things, and passing that knowledge and experience on to the community.

Upcoming adventure plans, you’d like to share?

I’m really excited to be heading to the Kahiltna Glacier in Alaska this spring. Who knows what we’ll end up climbing, but I’m sure we’ll have a great time!