Legendary ice climber Margo Talbot will be in Squamish to share her adventures as part of the Squamish Mountain Festival, July 13 to 17.
Talbot recently published a book, All That Glitters, about her troubles with depression and addiction - and how she used climbing to help her cope. Squamish-area residents will get a chance to hear her story firsthand as Talbot speaks on Wednesday (July 13) at the Eagle Eye Theatre.
"It gives listeners an insight into a different slice of life, particularly at climbing events because we're all supposedly tanned, fit and healthy," Talbot said. "It gives people an insight into a slice of life that I believe is quite under-talked about. It's almost like there's a cloak of silence around childhood trauma and addicts, just slices of the population that get marginalized rather than incorporated.
"I see the barriers to incorporating those things into life, but I also feel that there could be a lot of headway made in the area of mental illness and addiction if the dialogue was opened up to talk more."
This will be Talbot's chance to be a part of that dialogue and she is optimistic that her words will fall on receptive ears.
"Although I may be an extreme example and say an addict on the Eastside is an extreme example, I do believe my experience is a very human experience. I believe people can relate to it even if they weren't addicted to drugs or if they didn't descend into the depths of suicidal depression like I did. I still believe these are human themes and that we can all relate to them to one extent or another."
Those who attend the talk will not only get a chance to hear about her experiences as a climber but also the things that got her through depression and addiction, something that she credits most to longtime friend Karen McNeill.
Tragically, McNeill will never get the chance to read Talbot's book. McNeill was a climber who went missing along with climbing partner Sue Nott on Mt. Foraker in Alaska in 2006 and has never been found. For Talbot, the memory of her friendship with McNeill will last forever.
"My friendship with Karen was key - it was the first time in my life I had someone that just stayed present with me. Whether I was suicidal, having a nervous breakdown, or climbing a waterfall, she was always there for me in a way no one else had been," said Talbot.
Although Talbot is well known for her climbing abilities, her book takes readers along the journey through her depression and addiction and more importantly through the process of healing she had to go through.
"Most people think it's going to be about my climbing, because that's what I'm known for, particularly my ice climbing, but it actually goes back to the beginning. About two-thirds of the book is about my life leading up to learning how to climb, about how it was marked by childhood trauma, addiction, depression, getting busted, thrown in jail, and eventually discovering climbing and turning my life around."
For those looking for a happy ending, look no further than the Talbot's story, one that she is proud to share.
"My success in climbing came through my success in healing and I think that we need to see more success stories," Talbot said. "I'm not going to say I'm well adjusted or that I'm normal, but I am going to say I'm happy with where I'm at, that's for sure."
Talbot will be a featured guest at the Oh Canada Climbing Night at the Squamish Mountain Festival on July 13 at 7 p.m. at the Eagle Eye Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. For information, visit www.squamishmountainfestival.com
