The 2016 Vancouver International Film Festival has crafted a fantastic show this year, with speakers like Kevin Jorgeson, Lynn Hill, and Leo Holding bring in large crowds to Centennial Theatre. The energy and enthusiasm at this years event has been out of this world and as the week progresses, it is slated to only get better. Last year, Squamish Climbing Magazine started our coverage of the festival with Jim Martinello. Jim is a local outdoor enthusiast/photographer and he puts together some pretty wild adventures (must watch video below!).
This year, we thought it would be great to check in with Jim again on his development in the Sea to Sky corridor as well as his balance between adventure and family, and a hairy experience he had in Howe Sound. It is locals like Jim that really make interviews at the magazine special. Interspersed between questions are a mix of shots taken by Jim over the years. Jim, and his band of like-minded adventurists, have brought a real enthusiasm and adventure awareness to the mountains that we have in our own backyard, inspiring us to get out there and experience new endeavours.
Jim Martinello, Trevor Hunt, and Craig Mcgee atop an unnamed peak in the Langtang Valley of Nepal. Photo courtesy of Jim Martinello ©
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! How are you doing?
Been doing good! Just nursing a few fracture ribs but on the mend.
Whats going on with your ribs?
Got hit by another person’s surfboard while surfing on the island…The guy drop into a wave not seeing me swimming out, he felt super bad and at first I didn’t know the extent of the injury, in the end it was a few fractured ribs.
Bad timing! Last year you were a part of VIMFF and talked about your adventure deep in the Northwest Territories. The film was an absolute paradigm shift for me on what is possible. Not talking specifics, but what draws you to these crazy adventures?
I’ve been loving the multi sport adventures and also going to remote places where you really have to do your research. I also want to give more awareness to these wild beautiful places that we have to do our part to protect and keep pristine. (see video below)
Any areas you have on your mind currently that need both exposure and protection?
No LNG and what old Growth trees we have left we need to protect. Once there gone there gone. Also, just exposure to how beautiful the Sea to Sky corridor is, let’s keep it as pristine as we can. Having this beauty and incredible surroundings for our kids to share and keep areas protected not just here but throughout BC.
With the growth of your family and family life, has your drive for these adventures changed in any way?
For sure, I’m stoked to do more family trips and I also want to make sure I’m not gone all the time. Still, I want to keep the passion and adventure’s going for sure, it’s a part of who I am and just trying to find some balance in it all. Also, very important more and more is the risk factor. I want to be around to see my kids maybe become parents and be a granddad one day!
Bruce Kay on New Route Seton Lake, BC. Photo courtesy of Jim Martinello ©
We have to talk about Squamish and you guys crossing Howe Sound to put up routes on Anvil Island. Can you give us an update on your adventures there and what kind of development we are talking about?
The routes on the south side of Anvil are truly amazing, climbing right over the ocean and the rock is freaking awesome and steep, beautiful setting. We now have a few routes going and will have a couple new multi pitches hopefully done soon, in the works. We S.U.P over and it usually takes 2 to 3 hours to get there so you really need the whole day and almost always paddling back in the dark. So finding the time to get over there and good weather is the crux, hopefully get back over again soon to send some projects. No topo yet but if anyone is keen to check it out, contact myself or Trevor Mcdonald.
Tim Emmett on his recent adventure. Photo courtesy of Jim Martinello ©
And the front of Anvil. What is going on there?
I’ve gone up the front side but our focus is on the south walls, the walls are incredible and the rock is really clean and south facing getting lots of sun. There is potentially for sure all around the island.
Can you tell us a bit about this picture of Dean Potter and Mt Bute?
Mt.Bute has a big place in my heart and the whole area that surrounds it. Wilderness on a grand scale. That time at Bute with Dean and the whole crew was amazing, amazing. The new route we climbed on the West face spectacular and the wing suit flying and the crew we had in there was freaking rad, pulling off everything that we did was a huge accomplishment on all parts. Seeing Dean fly down Bute was something words can never express. All I have to say is that we all miss you buddy, inspiration you are and living free and true to your spirit you did. Soar on……
The late Dean Potter on the FA of Flight Deck, Mt. Bute, BC. Photo courtesy of Jim Martinello ©
I have to ask about this rumour that you guys got swept all the way down to Bowen Island trying to cross to Anvil Island? Is that true and what happened?
Yeah, it was one scary and very exciting night to say the least! The early morning that day was glass when we paddled over. Where we made the mistake was not checking the forecast when we headed out. It was late winter and that night they were calling for gale force winds and there was a storm on the horizon. It was calm on the southside of Anvil and we didn’t get off the wall till dark. One of our inflatable boards went down with a big hole so we had to build a raft with the other two boards to add to the adventure. There was 3 of us: Bradford McAuther, Trevor Mcdonald, and myself. So, we tied the two board together with rope and added some drift wood across the boards and headed back to Porto Cove. We were fine until we hit the south point of the island when we got hammered by the gale force wind and waves big enough to surf on. One minute calm and then the holy shit factor kicked in! We were blowing off Anvil within seconds. All we could do was keep the boats a float and go with the wind and current or otherwise be flipped over by the waves. It was wild! We tried to punch it for horseshoe bay but we made no traversing ground and before we knew it, we had been blowing right past. Holy shit factor was kicking in! Next stop was Bowen Island or getting blasted out to Vancouver Island. It was the wildest time I’ve ever had on water and it was survival mode one on one. In the end we made it to Bowen, frozen like a popsicle and stoked to be back on land. We had some gracious friends come to help us when we hit Bowen Island after midnight, Pryce-Jones family and Peter, you rock! Thank-you!. Wow! I haven’t thought about that experience in awhile and never need to repeat it, haha.
That sounds absolutely nuts! I am glad you guys made it out! Okay, back on the VIMFF stage this year, what will you be sharing on Friday?
I’ll be sharing stories and picture of being out in the elements, exploring and sharing these great experience with amazing friends and family, being in tune, and following your dreams and goals, getting after it. There will be images from across the globe and lots of diversity about doing our part and having a positive outlook!
Ski lines on our Coast Mountains. Photo courtesy of Jim Martinello ©
Well, we are excited for Friday Night and thanks again for taking the time to chat with us!
Jim Martinello will be speaking along with a number of others at The MEC Canadian Adventure Night on Friday, February 19th, 2016 @ The Rio Theatre in Vancouver, BC. To purchase tickets, please click the banner to your right or go to the VIMFF website.
