TALL STOREY!
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Happy Civic Day Long Weekend my fellow ‘Eh’ people. I’m sitting in a cafe in trundy Kitsilano, Vancouver. “Trundy” is a new word I just made up right now, it means Trendy and Yuppy at the same time. But clearly my need to make fun, simply advertises my jealousy for such a tidy neighborhood. I too wish I had both a 2010 BMW and a counterculture 1974 Volkswagon van sitting in my driveway, it’s true, they both look like so much fun to drive. Although I could do without the skinny jeans and the twin Weimaraner’s for now. Also, I can’t help but wonder if the dual surfboards on the top of the mini-bus actually get wet from time to time?
It’s now 7am on Monday morning, and the streets are glowing from a mango colored sun. Old men and hipsters alike walk the streets outside with coffee, newspapers and cigarettes in hand. The roads have few cars, the city slickers must be sleeping in today. Hopefully not too much, some University, Somewhere, just released a study recently that says “more than 7 hours sleep and less then 5 can dramatically increase your chances of getting” something bad for your health I’m sure. Which isn’t good news for me, I like my 8-9 hours. Maybe athletes are allowed a little more pillow time? I hope so. I haven’t had much of a rest day this week. I’m working on 3 projects all at the same time. Which means, a tonne of vertical pitches, a tonne of cleaning, a tonne of hauling, a tonne of hiking with heavy packs and a tonne of sleep. I think it’s a mild addiction I might have, my girlfriend thinks I’m just an idiot. She’s probably right.
Today, I have a slide show type flick – It’s a super dorky day with me and my lady ninja, Lydia Zamorano. I say dorky, because it’s true, you see, when you’re in love, you don’t have to be cool any more. ha ha. Those who are there, know what I mean. Tall Storey is a modern mega classic, towering 8 sport pitches high, it goes all free at 5.11c in Echo Canyon, Canmore, Alberta and we got the 3rd ascent baby, Yah! In case you’re wondering, Echo Canyon is the latest name to a MAJOR limestone zone also known as Grotto Canyon, or the Colosseum. Incredibly enough, it’s located just behind the Alpine Club of Canada’s Clubhouse. Basically, you park in the lot and walk up the hill from there, you can’t miss it, and when you come down, you can have a hut waiting for you, with clean showers, and a hot mug of tea. The route has an hour and a half approach, and we went pretty slowly, enjoying the day. We did the climb in 8 hours car to car, but a rock slide washed out the descent trail, making it scary and dangerous, glad we’re home and I’m able to upload this for family and friends. Just another fun day in the Rocky Mountains I guess. Stay tuned for the finale – after 8 pitches of solid 5.11 climbing, and an off the couch no falls ascent, Lydia gets pumped (finally) and nearly loses her cool gunning for the summit…:)
TALL STOREY from Sonnie Trotter on Vimeo.
Tags: Black Diamond, Five Ten, Joe Rockheads, Patagonia, Ryders Eyewear, Sonnie Trotter, Sterling Rope, The Alpine Club of Canada | Posted in Climbing | 16 Comments »
