BANFF – He’s a great storyteller, he lives and breathes Canada’s mountains and he’s given the mountain community so much.
Those are just a few of the reasons Zac Robinson is looking forward to interviewing Chic Scott at the next of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies’ Fireside Chat events.
Robinson, a writer, historian, University of Alberta professor and vice-president of Mountain Culture with the Alpine Club of Canada, said he first met Scott in 2005 when he and some friends were planning to ski the Great Divide Traverse, the 320-kilometre high-elevation route that links glaciers and icefields from Jasper to Wapta Lake, west of Lake Louise.
“Some friends and I were getting set to try to ski the Great Divide Traverse that spring, and we had some questions,” Robinson said. “Chic, of course, was not only the guidebook author, but had pioneered the traverse himself [with friends] in 1967. So, we sent him an email hoping that he might share some insights.”
At that point, Robinson knew Scott by reputation only, as the author of several ski-touring guidebooks, as well as the biography of Hans Gmoser, Deep Powder & Steep Rock, Rockies history books including Powder Pioneers, and the comprehensive history of Canadian climbing and mountaineering, Pushing the Limits.
To their great surprise and delight, Scott invited Robinson and his friends to his home for a meal. Over a big pot of chili, Scott shared his photos from his 1967 adventure, along with plenty of route advice and tips for the three-week-long glacier traverse.
“He was just really excited for us, incredibly generous and totally encouraging,” Robinson said. “For us, it was a great night.”
To be the person interviewing Scott is a bit of a turning of the tables, Robinson admitted, since Scott has been the one asking the questions and drawing out tales from a fascinating and entertaining roster of Rockies personalities over the past several years for the Fireside Chat series, which he created.
When the Whyte Museum decided Scott’s story should be shared and recorded, they asked him if he would mind sitting in the interviewee’s chair. He accepted and chose Robinson to ask the questions.
“The Fireside Chats have become a great Banff tradition, thanks to Chic,” Robinson said. “But I think people now want to hear from him. I am really happy to help out.”
Scott, he said, should make for a dynamic and captivating interview subject.
“His unflagging energy, dedication and generosity – Chic is deeply committed to the mountain community,” Robinson said. “Consider what's he's accomplished as a climber and skier, as an organizer of clubs and foundations, as a writer of guidebooks, of history, of biography, and as an archivist. It's astounding. He has given us so much. And he hasn't slowed down. We are so lucky to have someone like Chic Scott.”
On top of that, Robinson added, Scott can be counted on to tell it like it is.
“He rarely pulls any punches,” Robinson said. “It's always fun to hang out with Chic.”
The Fireside Chat with Chic Scott happens on April 24 at the Whyte Museum in Banff, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free for members, $5 for non-members. For tickets or more information visit whyte.org.
