Canadians Sending in Japan, Scotland, Patagonia and Tasmania
Some of Canada’s top climbers have gone abroad for ice, rock and icy rock.
First was a trip to Scotland for the icy rock. Alpine climbers Ian Welsted and Raphael Slawinski were invited to the annual BMC winter festival. The two Piolet d’Or-winning climbers became ambassadors of the Alpine Club of Canada for the trip.
Once word spread, other crushing Canucks joined in the adventure. Marc-Andre Leclerc, Paul McSorley, Jon Walsh, Michelle Kadatz and photographer Paul Bride packed the hard shells for a few weeks of hard traditional climbing and scotch drinking. Early reports are that Leclerc has been busy running solo laps on many of the moderate classics. More photos and stories to come.
In South America, alpine crushers Alik Berg and Fred McGuinness have been sessioning big clean granite in Patagonia. They have ticked a number of big routes including the 450-metre Beger/Jennings on Aguja Guillaumet and topped out the Aguja Mermoz.
Strong ice climbers Will Gadd and Sarah Hueniken are on a trip to Japan with photographer John Price. Their trip started with warm weather and lots of snow, a classic “Japanuary” as climbers and skiers have called it. Over the past few days, conditions have improved and they have made a few ascents of big ice.
They are currently climbing in the Zao Ice Garden, which has a combination of what looks like waterfall ice and spray ice. More from their trip shortly.
Finally, Sonnie Trotter and Will Stanhope are climbing in Australia. With photographer Cam Maier, they have been making sends of the iconic Totem Pole in Tasmania.
They arrived to a big storm, which Trotter wrote the following about on his social media: “7,000 people in Tasmania are without power or water enduring the same horrendous tropical storm we’re sitting out right now.
“The Tassie drought is officially over and we’re so glad to be a witness to the wetness.” More from their trip shortly.
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