Daily Archives: July 9, 2009

Having already achieved podium success at separate World Cup lead and bouldering competitions, Canadian Sean McColl this weekend redefined technical mastery by qualifying in both events during the World Championships in Qinghai, China.

John Bachar was found dead at the base of Dike Wall in Mammoth California. Authorities presume Bachar fell while soloing.

Will Stanhope appears to be riding the sending train. Having recently dispatched the Smith Rock trad testpiece the East Face of Monkey Face 13d, Stanhope has now also bagged the fifth ascent of the difficult Squamish crack climb, Cobra Crack 14b.

Thunder Bay has the largest Finnish community outside Finland. Rick Mercer visited Thunder Bay in February, 2009, eager to explore two of its enduring traditions– hearty food and the “sauna”.

On Feb 9, 2009, Italian Simone Moro and Denis Urubko of Kazakhstan became the first party to reach the summit of Makalu (8462 m) in winter.

The experienced Quebec team of Nicolae Balan and Louis-Phillipe Ménard skied into Quebec’s famous big wall, Cap Trinite, in March.

Warming temps and the Easter long weekend did not stop a deep field of the region’s best from signing up to pull on plastic as the Tour made its way back to Coyote Rock Gym in Ottawa for the 2009 MEC Tour de Bloc Eastern Regionals.

With their increased efficiency and consistent all-weather performance, mechanical ascenders have almost eliminated the need for traditional prusiks for aid climbing, complex haul systems and emergency rescue. And while all ascenders are capable of moving up a fixed rope, models specifically designed for particular climbing situations are likely to be more efficient and easier to use.

Teaching a teenager to climb can be like giving your beloved family pet to a pack of jackals. You’ve cared for this pet, fed it, petted it, worried about it, and loved it even when it was indifferent to you. But the jackals don’t know that. Teacher and climber Peter Brown Hoffmeister speculates about the risks and benefits of taking young people climbing.

Mike Doyle is one of Canada’s most talented and well-travelled climbers. Check out his entertaining blog chronicling his latest adventures.