Jon Walsh

I began climbing in the Squamish and Whistler areas in 1993 and relocated to Golden B.C. in 1999, to be closer to the incredible alpinism opportunities of the Rockies and Bugaboos.  Ever since, I've been honing my skills to send big alpine lines around the world. Alpinism has brought me to Pakistan, Alaska, the Alps, Patagonia, and all over Western Canada where I've opened routes, and suffered some crushing failures.   Some of My favorite first ascents include The Brazeau/Walsh on the North face of Mount Alberta M6 5.11 1000m, and the Via Canadience on Cerro Fitz Roy 1100m 5.10 M5 A1, with Paul McSorley.  However, I equally love climbing the classics on rock, ice and mixed terrain, traditional and sport.  I consider myself an "80 percenter", in other words, I get really good at a particular discipline, but switch my focus to another one, rather than obsess too much in one field.  Variety is the spice of life for me, and as a result, I've become an "all rounder".  Other favorite routes include "Exocet" on Cerro Stanhardt in Patagonia and an unnamed project on the East face of Snowpatch Spire in the Bugaboos.   

Besides climbing and traveling, other games I'm passionate about include skiing: mainly backcountry skiing; setting speed records on grand traverses; ski mountaineering; and significant, steep first descents.  Surfing; I've surfed in three different countries in the last year and hopefully this trend will continue.   Kayaking; the only other sport I've tried as intense as climbing!  Mountain Biking; was my main sport 10-15 years ago and it still remains a good source of fun.  Disc Golf: a great warm down after a day at the crags…

As for work, I tend to pick up a lot of different jobs between trips including finishing carpentry, climbing and skiing photography, writing, rigging, guiding, rope access and mountain safety.