12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

Hot Topics: In Our Own Backyard: the Renaissance of Alpinism in the Canadian Rockies

Max Bell Auditorium, Free

Barely a decade ago, the remarkable growth of sport climbing led some to worry that climbers would avoid the riskier and more committing world of the alpine, especially in mountain areas with clear hazards like the Canadian Rockies. But in the last few years, the opposite has been true. Sport and mixed climbing have helped spark a renaissance in hard alpine climbing — especially in our own range, where new waves of fiercely talented local and international climbers have once again grown to love the unique character of Rockies alpinism. Join some of the leading lights of modern Rockies climbing as they discuss their obsessions with the area and look into the future of the range.

Barry Blanchard is one of North America’s best known mountaineers and one of the founding fathers of difficult alpine routes in the Rockies. Some of his notable first ascents include Andromeda Strain on Mount Andromeda, M16 on Howse Peak, and Infinite Patience on Mount Robson.

A well-known Canmore guide with first ascent credits across North America, Steve Holeczi recently freed the Lowe/Hannibal route on Mount Geikie in Jasper National Park.

A talented alpinist who has written two books on mixed climbing, and the new editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal, Sean Isaac is responsible for new routes in Scotland, Alaska, and the Bugaboos.

At the forefront of a new breed of mixed climbing in Canada and abroad, Raphael Slawinski’s recent projects include new mixed lines on Mount Sarrail, The Wedge, Mount Andromeda, and Mount Amery.

Moderated by Geoff Powter.