Canadian Boyz

Well, what a summer.

That was desperately needed after the tumultuous 2022 I had bringing Affinity Life to market. I was so burnt out in the spring and needed to regain my passion and focus in life. There are seasons for everything, and this season was climbing every day all over Canada. So many special moments with so many special people that it's hard to remember them all.

Through the process, I've slowly started to regain my excitement and passion for business. I'm now 100% ready again to devote time and passion back to my business.

Moving forward, I think there is a need to strive for more of a balance between passion, business, relationships, and exercise.

Striking balance has always been hard for me, I get excited about projects and want to devote every second of my waking day to it. However, long term I don't think that's a viable way to live life and will probably lead to more burnout like I had in the Spring.

Always trying to improve.

How was your summer?

On the summit of Mt. Loder after a quick burn up Coire Dubh. (WI3 M5)

I am savagely competitive, especially when it comes to endurance sports where I can win by sheer grit and will. In this episode, I share a story when two of my friends challenged me to step competitions and how the final results came down to the last 10 minutes. Hope you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/1UFQVvnD__Q

Few things bring me more joy than making others join me on sufferable climbing missions and watching them break down. Maybe I'm sadistic, or maybe misery just loves company. Nonetheless, I gleefully accepted my friend's request to make his friend suffer after he made some comments that ice was too easy. Hope you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/auhMTbZuGsg

The Real Big Drip is a crazy route in the Ghost that you can't miss every time that you drive in. I've seen it many times and after two attempts we finally finished it. It's an all-out war the moment your feet leave the ground and you are pushed to your physical limits on this monster. Hope you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/cNV1KsI-VR4

In the latest episode, I recall stories of climbing one of the Ghost's most iconic climbs, The Sorcerer. Unfortunately, the amazing adventure that was once had for this climb is now gone due to all the forest fires that happened in the Ghost. Hope you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/N4dLEoW3zJU

Virtual Reality holds a special place in my heart because it was my first WI6 lead and climb.

I've climbed it a few times and it's always been a blast and a freaky climb. In the latest episode, I share a few stories about this climb as well as one time Stas, Caro and myself climbed the freakiest pillar of my life.

https://youtu.be/bt_5xxWbofA

Rainbow Serpent is a savage climb in the Ghost that already affords a ton of respect to climbers who can do it roped. To solo Rainbow Serpent AND Fearful Symmetry back-to-back is pretty incredible.

Much respect to and in our latest video I recall the story of this day.

https://youtu.be/Nbtnu3_8vGw

Sacre Bleu is an incredibly cool climb! Once you get over the fact that it's in one of the scariest avalanche bowls you've ever seen, it's a delight!

But sometimes, I should know when to turn around and call it quits.

In the latest YouTube video I tell a story that maybe should never be told online, but alas...it's there now.

https://youtu.be/Nl5HsDs8frI

Kemosabe is a desperate sandbagged route that I've always had a healthy amount of respect and fear for. In 2016, another ice climber fell near the top of the route and ripped out 3 screws before he hit the deck.

It's a beautiful climb nestled in the heart of the ghost that should not be treated lightly. In the latest story video, I recall the few times that I've climbed it and how terrifying they were.

https://youtu.be/5YrFf6KNs5I

One of the greatest ice climbing adventures of my life has been at Takakkaw Falls. With over 250M of great climbing and 34 km's of round-trip skiing to get in and out, this has to be one of my favorite days out.

Latest YouTube video is out now recalling this adventure with my good buddy

https://youtu.be/D0AHLyLyr80

In 2020 , and myself went to climb a recently formed Sea of Vapors in Banff, Alberta. (far right in pic)

What we found was some of the most difficult and unprotectable ice I've ever climbed in my life.

It turned into an all out 20 hour epic, and in the latest story episode (on YouTube now, link in bio), I recall this epic adventure.

Hope you enjoy!

Hello friends!!

I've been thinking a lot lately about this channel and about climbing in general. The business has been so crazy lately that I haven't been able to take a step back for quite some time. I went to a climbing presentation the other night and listened to a friend (Peter Hoang) share his stories of climbing and his passion for photography which enabled him to experience wild adventures that he otherwise may have missed out on.

It got me thinking about how I could also combine my business and passion for climbing together in order to create a life where I can pursue all these wild adventures. In an ideal world, I would spend my days climbing and producing enjoyable content that would fund my passions and allow me to continue to do that.

With that being said, I have some really cool ideas of how I can bring the two together in a way that works for both of us.

We may go through some rebranding, different video ideas, cringe-worthy content, and other mishaps. But if you guys stick with me I promise I will continue to try and produce the best climbing videos I can with all the hilarious comradery you have come to expect.

Love all you guys, stay tuned!

Assiniboine was a slice, suffering to reward ratio was a bit off but at least there was some beautiful scenery along the way.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! 🎶🎵🎶
Anyone else still getting back their winter legs?! Because I don't remember my pack being so heavy... 😰 Maybe it's all the extra snacks I'm packing. 😳

Beautiful morning at storm creek, hard to beat a blue bird winter day in the mountains 😍

Awesome day last year on Kitty Hawk WI5 with leading the crux pitch. Low commitment day for some rewarding climbing.
 

Xena and Cosban M5 WI4 last weekend in Storm Creek. Was hoping to have a 4 days of ice climbing but plans got cut short when we realized there isn't a lot of ice out there yet. . . 😔
New video of the Canadian Boyz climbing Xena and Cosban up on Youtube!

Sweet shot of Phil cragging on Killar Pillar after climbing Nemisis with and .caro.

I have not laughed this hard in a while reading an article - this man is my soul animal!

I've had partners guilty of almost every single one of these offenses!

Which ones are you guilty of?!

10 Climbing-Partner Deal-Breakers Brace yourself for the half-mad rantings of the world’s saltiest, crustiest, least-patient-ever climbing partner.

A warm fall day up at Eldorado yesterday, everyone was running laps getting ready for the ice !

Here's a couple of shots of styling her way up Fearful Symmetry WI6 a couple years ago.

I still remember Phil and I's reaction watching her ever so gently climb up that pillar. We were freaked out yet so amazed becuase both sections were fractured. We could feel every kick and tool placement vibrate through the rock to where we were standing at the bottom of the first pillar of Rainbow Serpent. What an awesome day 🤙🤙

Urs Hole located just outside of Banff is a fantastic early season climb before any heavy snowfalls. This climb is situated under a pretty large bowl which presents high avalanche risk. Hence why it is usually climbed before major snow falls. Always know what is overhead and assess the risk in the mountains!

Here's Ryan leading the direct finish.
Although graded at WI5, last year had a significant amount of ice feeling more like a 4.

Counting down the days until first ice!! We're making bets on October 23rd, what do you think?!

Making the trek into the Hydro/Cryophobia drainage a couple years ago. Here's a shot of .rynn leading the way through the semi-frozen marsh field on the approach.

Phil leading the elusive Amadeus WI4 M5 along Hwy 40.
Trying to align days off with good conditions on this route sometimes presents a challenge... The Chinook weather can deteriorate ice on this climb quickly 😳

Looking back at Carlsberg Column in Field, BC. Definetly a climb out of the favorites list, beautiful scenery, short approach, engaging climb and located beside a cozy mountain town for a beer after!
Just make sure to assess avalanche conditions before you go!

Beautiful day out climbing professor falls last year. The Alpine Start forgot the screws so we soloed it in just under an hour, then hopped over to the other side of Banff and climbed 6 pitches or so of rock.

Looking forward to these days..... Winter is coming! ❄️😍

Phil gazing at 2 sexy WI6 ice routes on the back end of the Stanley Headwall, Nemesis and Killer Pillar

Little photo dump of last weekends camping trip at Margaret Lake in the Waiporous area. I personally love fall, cold mornings bundled up with hoodies and warm afternoons in t-shirts and shorts.

This area is the home of a couple of awesome ice climbs in the winter like Hydrophobia, Kemosabe, and some approach The Sorcerer from the same road that leads to this lake.

Looking back on a gorgeous day while climbing Whiteman Falls WI6 last year in Kananaskis.
Later in the season its a 2 sport day strapping on the skis to get there and back with the road closed.

Overlooking the Bow Valley before we ventured onto Sea of Vapours. Thin ice, blowing winds, cold temps, and spindrift made this a very long and unpleasant day. But looking back on it, all I can remember is fond memories and good times.

Type 2 fun.

One of the most beautiful places to see (and climb) in the Canadian Rockies. The Recital Hall has two classic and gorgeous WI6 climbs situated in it; Rainbow Serpent and Fearful Symmetry.

Have you seen them before?

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