Climbing enthusiasts have flocked to the Canadian Rockies for generations, and now the Canmore Climbing Festival will launch at the Canmore Civic Centre next Friday (July 24) at 6 p.m., featuring talks from three big names in the sport.
“It’s a celebration of the mountains we have and the great culture that surrounds us, and an excuse to bring mountain enthusiasts together,” said climbing star Sonnie Trotter, one of the speakers on the evening.
Trotter, University of Calgary professor Raphael Slawinski and famed alpinist Barry Blanchard will all lead 20-minute presentations throughout the evening, which will celebrate mountain culture.
Although the evening is fairly intimate, Trotter believes it will grow slowly every year.
“We want to see it grow organically. We want it to be small, adapt with it and never feel overwhelmed. As climbers, we never want to work too hard,” Trotter joked. “We’d love to see it as a two- to three-day event.”
Trotter will discuss his recent trip to Germany, where he explored the area’s rich climbing culture.
“It’s a really fascinating area for history. They really protect the rock and no hard metal is allowed. The ethics are different there and it was a neat experience to adapt (to them),” Trotter said.
Slawinski’s talk, entitled Black Swans in the Himalaya, will tackle the unexpected in the Greater Ranges, while Blanchard will draw upon his unparalleled wealth of experience as one of the most prolific and accomplished alpinists in history.
The evening will also include a photo competition set to music, a chin-up contest, door prizes and a silent auction, with the proceeds going to TABVAR, an organization that helps keep climbing areas safe. A small portion of the funds may also go to the Canmore Indoor Climbing Society, which supports young climbers.
Tickets are $15 each and available at Patagonia stores in Banff and Calgary, and Vertical Addiction in Canmore. Trotter said tickets are going fast and won’t be available at the door.
Eventually, Trotter said, a competition might become part of the festival, but for now organizers want to keep it a small, intimate affair.
