The Locals Connection

— Locals on Stage —

Mountain Idols

The 2007 Mountain Idol finalists will be introduced, and the winner announced, at Radical Reels.

Tuesday, October 30, 7:30 p.m.

Where are the Women?

Jeanne Baret, an eighteenth-century Frenchwoman, had to disguise herself as a boy in order to become the first woman to sail around the world. While women no longer have to go to those extremes, they still seem to be underrepresented in the films and books we see showcased at the festival today. Panelists include Nancy Hansen, Raphael Slawinski, Steph Davis, Araceli Segarra, and Kira Salak.

Thursday, November 1, 9:00 a.m.

Bernadette McDonald — Brotherhood of the Rope

Banff resident Bernadette McDonald’s latest book, Brotherhood of the Rope, is drawn from extensive interviews with mountaineer and high-altitude physician Charles Houston. McDonald, an avid climber, hiker, and skier, is also this year’s Summit of Excellence Award recipient.

Thursday, November 2, 3:00 p.m

Glen Boles — My Mountain Album

Artist and photographer Glen Boles has climbed extensively all over North America and in Europe, but his first love is the Canadian Rockies, where he has summited over 450 peaks, often by a difficult new route and many as first ascents.

Friday, November 2, 9:00 a.m.

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

In the last few years, 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. Panelists include Geoff Powter, Barry Blanchard, Sean Isaac, Steve Holeczi, and Raphael Slawinski

Saturday, November 3, noon

Ethics at Altitude

Today’s high-altitude expeditions play out their ethical dilemmas in the spotlight of media attention. In the early years of mountaineering, the decisions whether or not to attempt the rescue of a helpless team-mate or stranger were discussed in print months or years later. Now, they’re debated on talk shows within 24 hours of the event. Calgary climber Andrew Brash gave up an Everest summit bid to help with Hall’s rescue.

Sunday, November 4, noon