David Chaundy-Smart Rouses the Calgary Mountain Club

Gripped’s editorial director read excerpts from his book, A Youth Wasted Climbing, to a full house on Wed. May 27 at the Ironwood pub in Calgary.

Chaundy-Smart is no stranger to Calgary. The Toronto-based writer spent some time in the Rockies during his climbing forays mentioned in A Youth Wasted Climbing.

The Calgary Mountain Club runs a series of presentations that range from multi-media spectacles to simple slide-and-projector shows. One of the club’s organizers, Andrew Brash, contacted Chaundy-Smart about giving the final presentation of the year.

Despite warm temperatures and a sunny evening, climbers sat in a dimly lit room at the Ironwood pub and listened attentively.

In the audience were some of Canada’s legendary climbers, including Tim Friesen, Andy Genereux, Urs Kallen, David Dornian, Anders Ouram, Trevor Jones and many more.

The club often hears about wild trips to Alaska or the Himalayas, but Chaundy-Smart gave insights into the little-known history of eastern Canada’s climbing and the characters who helped progress the sport.

After the show was the hours-long socializing the Calgary Mountain Club is known for.

The following day, Chaundy-Smart was interviewed on CBC Calgary by Chris de la Torre, which will air on CBC Calgary at 8:40 a.m. this Sunday.

The Calgary Mountain Club is currently reaching out to a younger audience and is hoping to build their membership base. For more information, visit here.

Chaundy-Smart will be giving a number of reads over the next few days including another one in Caglary at Calgary: Shelf Life Books Tues. June 1 at 7 p.m.; one in Canmore at Cafe Books Sun. May 31 at 7 p.m.  and one in Edmonton at Audrey’s Books Mon. June 1 at 7 p.m.

For more on A Youth Wasted Climbing, visit here.