World-renowned professional rock climber Sonnie Trotter has made a name for himself on some of the world’s most challenging rock faces and recently opened up about his motivations and experiences in his book Uplifted: The evolution of a climbing life.
“I just hope that my stories will inspire people to explore the world around them,” Trotter said in an interview with The Squamish Chief. “And maybe to have a little more courage to go after their dreams. That would be nice.”
Trotter's climbing career has spanned decades, from early days when climbing was relatively unknown, to now, when it is a well-known sport with Olympic recognition. Despite the changing climbing scene, he says that the spirit remains the same.
“The climbing community is so much bigger than it was when I started,” he said. “But the overall energy is similar—lots of good times, laughs, jokes, and just a supportive community in general.”
Trotter has always prioritized safety in his climbs, choosing to avoid risky situations. “I’ve always tried to pick climbs based on their low objective hazards,” he said. “Every once in a while, there’d be something a little more dangerous, and I’d almost always opt to rappel down, rather than stay and roll the dice.”
Still, he admits to mixed feelings about some of the climbs he has done. “There were a few climbs that I did without a rope that left me with mixed feelings,” he said. “On the other hand, there were some that were among my best memories. It’s always a fine line, and I’ve always tried to learn from each of them.”
As a father, his relationship with risk has changed significantly. “I try to analyze the risks a lot deeper now. I absolutely do not ever want to be injured or worse,” he said. “I do my best to balance it all.”
Trotter and his wife, Lydia, have already introduced their children to climbing, but there is no pressure to follow in their footsteps. “They have fun with it, but they’re also fascinated by so many other things,” he said. “If they choose to never climb again, that’s completely fine with me. I want them to follow their own fire, wherever it leads.”
His book, Uplifted, serves as both a memoir and a shout-out to the people who supported him throughout his journey. “It’s about this community—my wife, my climbing partners,” he said. “My entire journey has been about being inspired by others. I’m honoured to be part of it all.”
Though written from a climber's perspective, Trotter hopes the book resonates beyond that niche. “It’s a climbing book, first and foremost, but I’d be honoured if a broader audience picked it up and took away something positive.”
Looking back, he credits his parents, wife, and now his children as his greatest role models in life and climbing. “Everyone has their own story, and that’s the best thing, we can take bits and pieces that we resonate with from different people’s lives, and hopefully it can help to make our own life a little better and a little more fun.”
Uplifted is published by Patagonia and is also available at local retailers, including Climb On.
Auni Dayton is a local teen and interned at The Squamish Chief this summer.
