Top Canadian Winter Climber Raphael Slawinski

Raphael Slawinski is a professor of physics at Mount Royal University in Calgary and a Piolet d’Or recipient. This short video is from 2014.

He is one of Canada’s most prolific ice climbers and this interview about why he ice climbs and what keeps him motivated is a must-watch for any climber or, indeed, anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

“Even if you’re the most conservative climber, just by going climbing you subject yourself to things outside your control, that’s kind of the definition of mountain adventure,” says Slawinski.

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Raph on #ThePeach right before his tool pops and he rips out two gear placements. Thanks to Jerome Yerly for patiently belaying and taking gravel in the face with a smile. #RaphaelSlawinski @blackdiamondequipment @scarpana

A post shared by Wiktor Skupinski (@skupinski) on Apr 21, 2014 at 12:09pm PDT

Raphael Slawinski