Raphael Slawinski

Courtesy of Arc'teryx

Raphael has been rock climbing, ice climbing and alpine climbing for over a dozen years. Below is a brief list of what he considers to be some of his more memorable recent adventures. When not climbing, Raphael is  married with cats and teach college physics in Calgary.

2007
• FA of the West Face (V 5.10+) of Mt. Alberta, Canadian Rockies, with Eamonn Walsh.

2006
• Hispar glacier, Karakorum, Pakistan – attempts on the south face of the unclimbed Kunyang Chhish East (ca. 7400 m), and first ascent of “Ali Chhish” (6164 m), with Ben Firth, Eamonn Walsh and Ian Welsted.
• DTCB (V M7) – FA of alpine mixed route on northeast face of Mt. Andromeda, Canadian Rockies, with Scott Semple.

Will Gadd

Courtesy of Arc'teryx

Will is known as being one of the most versatile outdoor athletes in the world. He is an especially accomplished Ice Climber and mountaineer. His creativity, drive and agressive style has enabled him to win the 2000 Ice World Cup Overall. He has made several benchmark first ascents on routes such as Musashi (M12), Howse of Cards (1100 Meters, VI, WI6X, M7), Great Western (2000 meters, V, WI5, M7), and the first one day ascent of Mount Robson.

As a rock climber Will climbs to 5.13C, both sport and traditional, He is a solid competition climber and a three time Canadian National sport climbing champion. Follow Will Gadd on his latest venture on a steep ice line on Teng Kangpoche in the Khumbu region of Himalayan Nepal. This line looks to be one of the most challenging and sustained vertical ice lines in the world.

Sean Isaac

Courtesy of Arc'teryx

Sean Isaac is one of Canada's leading big-wall, alpine and mixed climbers. In the past 7 years, he has successfully and safely completed 13 mountain expeditions to all corners of the globe, including Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Peru, Patagonia, Alaska, Baffin Island and Northwest Territories.

Sean has been climbing for 13 years. Sean is completing his guiding exams and is currently an assistant alpine guide with the ACMG.  He currently lives in Canmore, Alberta, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, with his partner, Hermien, and their sons, Noah & Mica.

Barry Blanchard

Courtesy of Grivel & Patagonia

Canadian mountain guide and alpinist, Barry Blanchard, was born in Calgary, March 29, 1959. Twelve years later three boys navigated the Bow River through the western side of the city on a raft of nailed together railway ties, Barry was at the helm steering the adventure. He found mountain climbing in the books of his high school library, some of which are still in his possession.

A six month trip to the French Alps in 1980 set the course of Barry's life: to climb the steepest and most complicated faces of the world's great glaciated peaks.

Barry has enjoyed some success:

• First ascent of The Andromeda Strain, 1983

• North Ridge of Rakaposhi, 1984

• First ascent of the apocalyptic  North Pillar of North Twin

• West Ridge of Mt Everest, 1986

• Surviving the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, 1988

• Solo first ascent on the North Face of Kusum Kanguru, 1991

• Attempt on K-2, 1993

• First ascents in the St Elias mountains

• M-16, a first ascent, in winter, East Face of Howse Peak, 1999

• Third ascent of the Infinite Spur on MT Foraker, 2000

• First ascent of Infinite Patience on the Emperor Face of Mt Robson, 2002

Rob Owens

Courtesy of Arc'teryx & Petzl

Rob is an all round climber and ACMG alpine guide based out of Canmore, AB. Canada. Rob has climbed many of North Americas hardest mixed and ice routes including “Rocky Mountain Horror Show” M11+. He has also pioneered many longer ice, mixed, and alpine routes in the Canadian Rockies such “Great Western” V, WI5R, M7 2000m, on Mt. Stephen and “The Oracle” 450m IV WI4+X M4, on Mt. Rundle. Rob has traveled to the larger ranges including the Himalayas and the Alaska Range.

In 2001 he succeeded in the 4th ascent of “The Infinite Spur” VI, M5 on Mt. Foraker, 17,004 feet. As a side Rob has competed and had top finishes in both the Ouray and Canmore ice climbing competitions. Overall, Rob concentrates his energy on the art of climbing mountains. He dreams of climbing long, technical routes on big mountains in a fast and pure style. As a guide and climber Rob strives to encompass and share the power and beauty that the mountains can offer.

Shelley Huisman

Courtesy of Outdoor Research

Shelley has climbed rock, ice, mixed and alpine all over the world from Pakistan to Europe and been involved in several first rock ascent in the Ghost and mixed routes in the Rockies.  Shelley has competed at the Ouray Ice Festival for the last three years and since the CICF started seven years ago.  Shelley's favourite part of the festivals is sharing her joy of climbing with others.  Shelley lives in Canmore with her husband Shawn.

Jon Walsh

Courtesy of Arc'Teryx

Jon began rock climbing in Squamish in 1993 and relocated to Golden B.C. in 1999, to be closer to the incredible alpine opportunities of the Rockies, Selkirks and Bugaboos. What Jon love most about climbing is the tight community felt amongst its participants and the places it gets you to. Over the past seven years, alpinism has brought him to Pakistan, Alaska, the Alps, Patagonia, and all over Western Canada where he has opened routes, and suffered some crushing failures.

His first ascents include The Brazeau/Walsh on the North face of Mount Alberta M6 5.11 1000m; the Via Canadience on Cerro Fitz Roy 1100m 5.10 M5 A1; and Pain is a Privilege on Choktoi Spire, Pakistan 5.10 A2.