Special 50th anniversary publication: A Guide to Rock Climbs at Bon Echo

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first climbs at Bon Echo in 2006, the Toronto Section of the Alpine Club of Canada presented a special large format limited edition hard-cover version of A Guide to Rock Climbs at Bon Echo.

by Kit Moore, photos by Mark Lord

If you love multi-pitch trad climbing, or want to try it, read on; here is the W5 - what, where, when, who and why - for Bon Echo 2006. For those of you who already know and love Bon Echo, please consider making your first visit on the weekend of May 6-7, to help put the dock in, cut and split firewood, and clean up the hut and grounds. This weekend is free of charge, provided you're willing to work half-day to help open up for the season.

Rob LeBlanc and friends learn some important truths about French wine, cuisine and climbing in Chamonix 2005 - A Complete Euro Experience

The fourth annual Chamonix trip (August 27th to September 11th) was a tremendous success this year owing to the near perfect weather (only 2 rainy days), the size of the group (11 off and on) and the size of the condominium (larger than some French departments).

by Fernando Nuflo (Winter 2005)

There was no ice on the tower. There was no ice anywhere. Where was winter? The temperature was ridiculously balmy, reaching 10° Celsius on the day we arrived. This didn't bode well. All south-facing routes would likely be unclimbable. We decided that we would go to check out the north-facing beer climbs.

Clinton Tonge and friends experience the magic of Devils Tower in Wyoming.

It was early September and we were sitting on my parent's porch in Calgary, Marco was drinking beer like it was his last in life, talking to my Dad, the Chef a la Broil King and Melissa was chatting with my Mom about a wedding that seemed like years in the future. Marco's wife Lori had just returned to Toronto the day before.

Andriy Kolos and friends attempt to find out who the Lady is Laughing at in A Bon Echo WI "Hard" 4

I have always been intrigued by the guidebook description "…in any condition it is a committing climb. It was well ahead of its time when first ascended…" I decided to postpone a visit. After running across the climb in Adcock's guide, then again in Ferguson's Gripped article I delayed my encounter some more, because the climbing looked way hard! Oh, she was laughing…

Dave Brown describes Team 2's relaxed approach to the Valley, a great deal of it spent in lawn chairs, while the Hard Men make their way up The Nose.

"Hey Dave. Have you ever wanted to climb 'The Nose'?"

"You wouldn't actually have to climb. Just belay and jug."

by Paul Geddes

I have climbed to the summit of over two hundred interesting mountains throughout the past twenty-five years. These peaks include many 11,000+ foot peaks in the Canadian Rockies and Interior Ranges. In addition I have made many first ascents in the Yukon's St. Elias Mountains, climbed several 14,000+ foot peaks in Colorado and a 20,000 foot trekking peak along the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. I was looking for a challenging summer trip for 2004 to celebrate my twenty-fifth year of mountaineering.

by Kit Moore

Where is John Turner? I'd like to meet this man, who had the courage and imagination to put up routes like FM in the Adirondacks, Recompense in New Hampshire and the Joke at Bon Echo. I'd especially like to thank him for putting up Sweet Dreams, my favourite Bon Echo route.

by Kit Moore

While winter’s snow was still melting from Toronto’s streets, and Canada geese were thinking about returning north, I made my usual trip south to do some rock-climbing in Red Rocks Nevada and Joshua Tree California.