Colin leading a pitch on Slawinski-Takeda route.

Canadian Rockies

March 24 - April 7

by Colin Simon

The Alpine Mentors crew showed up in Canmore, Alberta for two solid weeks of raging up ice and alpine routes in the Canadian Rockies.

Steve Swenson, Scott Backes, Rob Owens, and Raphael Slawinski all showed up to climb with the team. In addition we had a tour of the Banff Moutain Rescue Center from Steve Holeczi. The Semple family graciously provided us with an awesome place to stay in Canmore.

You may notice we have an awful lot of climbers named “Steve.” If you want your child to be an alpinist, they will be statistically stronger if you name them “Steve.” (Stevette? Stevina? Stevelle?)

Buster leading the first pitch.

French Reality

Canada 2013 trip. Day 3.

by Buster Jesik

"Nauseating thoughts of falling, avalanches, and hurtling ice were transformed into amazement at the infinite complexities, subtleties, and variables of alpine climbing that occasionally combine to create such extraordinary experiences."

With the help of Rob Owens, Steve Swenson and Steve House the Alpine Mentors crew spilt into three small teams and headed to different objectives today. Steve House and I paired up to have a crack at French Reality on the famed Stanley Headwall. French Reality (145m V, M6 WI6+) turned out to be one of the best and most gnarly days of climbing I’v ever had!  Rob Owens and Steven Van Sickle went to a route called Coire Dubh and Steve Swenson, Marianne Van Der Steen, and Colin Simon went to the nearby classic Nemesis.