The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) and the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) presents the sixth annual Mountaineer's Soiree next Saturday (Nov. 27) in Whistler. This gala fundraising event is back and promises to be one of the biggest celebrations of mountaineering the Sea to Sky corridor has ever seen.
Included in the evening's festivities is a silent auction, beer garden, and speaking engagement/ slide show by legendary climber Peter Croft. All funds raised from the event will be equally split between the Brian Ebert Memorial Fund (scholarship fund for local aspiring mountain guides), and local P.E.P. Mountain Rescue Training Programs.
Peter Croft is one of the most well-known climbers in the world, and certainly the most well known in the Squamish area. Croft has been pushing the limits of climbing standards for over 25 years and has probably covered more miles of vertical stone than most people have walked. He has become a household name in the international climbing community, and is well known for his many hard first ascents (many of them solo) from Yosemite to Squamish to the Waddington Range to Pakistan.
Although he currently resides in California's Sierra Nevadas, he is originally Canadian, and has deep roots right here in Squamish. Many of his significant early ascents were accomplished in the '80s on the famed granite of the Stawamus Chief and surrounding cliffs.
Croft has been presenting slide shows and stories of his adventures for decades, and commonly packs the house of any venue that brings him to present. His pictures and stories have inspired multiple generations of climbers.
Many local businesses and related industry have donated generously for this event, and there will be over $20,000 of silent auction items and prizes to be had. Items in the auction will include heliski packages, tons of outdoor adventure gear, helicopter time, local mountain art, hotel packages, and much, much more.
Tickets are available in advance at Valhalla Pure and Climb On in Squamish for the price of $10. Tickets also available at the door for $12.
The silent auction starts at 6 p.m. and show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Myrtle Philip Community Centre (6195 Lorimer Rd.).
