Media Release

For immediate release
September 26, 2008
High resolution photo available

Mountaineer Don Vockeroth awarded 2008 Summit of Excellence Award

Don Vockeroth was part of the first wave of homegrown Canadian climbers who advanced new standards for technical routes on big mountains. He helped popularize the sport in the Canadian Rockies and lay the foundation for the mountaineering culture that currently exists. At this year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival, Vockeroth will be recognized for his contributions with the 2008 Summit of Excellence Award.

Born in Drumheller in 1937, Vockeroth began his climbing adventures on the frozen banks of the Red Deer River and has devoted his life to the pursuit of his mountain passion ever since. Throughout the 1960s, he established nine routes on Mount Yamnuska, including Forbidden Corner and The Bowl, considered among the hardest rock climbs in North America at the time. As an alpinist, his finest achievement was the first ascent of the northeast buttress of Howse Peak in 1967. Vockeroth also made first ascents of the north face of Mount Biddle and the north face of the south tower of Mount Goodsir. His climbing achievements figure prominently in Chic Scott’s Pushing The Limits: The Story of Canadian Mountaineering.

"Anyone who climbs in the Canadian Rockies owes a huge debt to Don Vockeroth, and it's perhaps the most telling thing about the man's character that that debt is often invisible to those who have followed in his footsteps,” says climber and author Geoff Powter, a member of the Summit of Excellence selection committee. “Several of Don's routes, especially on Yamnuska, were world-class technical and aesthetic achievements in their time, but Don climbed them quietly and humbly. As a climber, guide and mentor, he's a star of Canadian climbing who's left a great legacy of style and character, and every climber here owes him a nod."

In 1967, Vockeroth was certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, and he guided at Alpine Club of Canada general mountaineering camps for 20 years. His climbing achievements and appreciation of mountain environments led to his designation as patron of the 16th annual Alpine Club of Canada Mountain Guides Ball in 2005. He was made an honourary life member of the Calgary Mountain Club in 1987.

Along with his wife Sheila, he has lived in Rossland, B.C. since the early 1970s. Over the years he has owned and operated sports shops there and recently served as a town councillor. But Vockeroth’s heart has remained in the outdoors — he’s recently undertaken major ski expeditions in the Muskwa Ranges in the remote northern Rockies.

Sponsored by Canadian Mountain Holidays, the Summit of Excellence Award is presented annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies. This year’s award will be presented on Sunday, November 9, the final night of the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Past recipients of the award include: Bernadette McDonald (2007), Gill and Tony Daffern (2006), Glen Boles (2005), Craig Richards (2004), Willi Pfisterer (2003), Barry Blanchard (2002), Bob Sandford (2001), Chic Scott (2000), Guy Lacelle (1999), John Martin (1998), Sharon Wood (1997), Tim Auger (1996), Brian Greenwood (1995), Kiwi Gallagher (1994), Roger Vernon (1993), Jon Whyte (1992), Don Forest (1991), Pat Morrow (1990), Hans Gmoser (1989), Jim Davies (1988), and Bruno Engler (1987).

For more information on the Summit of Excellence Award:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/excellence/