Tonight, atop the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC, the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy will host Vikki Weldon and Brette Harrington as they share their most recent adventures in Morocco and Patagonia respectively. Their presentations are a part of the Sunset Speaker series followed by a live music performance by Jon and Roy.
For those who have not heard of these ladies, Vikki Weldon is a local Squamish climber that comes from a family deeply involved in climbing. With her primary focus on sport climbing Vikki has travelled the world in pursuit of new adventures while climbing at a very high level along the way. originally from Calgary, who has travelled around the globe finding new adventures while climbing at a very high level.
Vikki Weldon on Fudge Packer in the Canadian Rockies. Photo courtesy of Vikki Weldon
Brette Harrington is originally from Lake Tahoe, CA and has a number of adventures under her belt, including an 11 hour ascent of Lurking Fear on El Capitan and the first ascent of ‘Straight No Chaser’, a 5.11+ A1 on the South Ridge of Serra 2 in the Waddington range. Brette currently lives in Vancouver where she is attending university.
Brette Harrington. Photo courtesy of Brette Harrington.
Squamish Climbing Magazine had a chance to catch up with these two before their presentation tonight and here is what they had to say.
Thanks for chatting with us. How are you both doing doing?
Vikki: Great! Getting excited for this coming weekend.
Brette: I’m doing well, preparing for the weekend events.
So you are heading to the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy. How did this come about?
Vikki: Arc’teryx has always been heavily involved in the previous years’ ‘Squamish Mountain Festivals’, and this year decided to rebrand the event as the Climbing Academy. Similar to their Alpine Academy in Chamonix every year, the Climbing Academy is an event designated to bringing together the climbing community for a weekend of entertainment, education and plain old rock climbing fun. Brette and I are among the many Arc’teryx rock athletes who will be involved in the events.
Brette: I was asked months ago if I would be interested in presenting at the academy. I attended many of the events last year and was quite impressed by the stories and speakers, so of course I accepted the invitation.
Vikki on K-Town Connector. Photo by Jamie Finlayson.
What are you looking forward to the most out of the weekend?
Vikki: I’m most looking forward to the community of incredible people who will come together for this weekend. There’s so much happening all around Squamish, and it will be really cool to be immersed with all the psyched climbers who are coming.
Brette: The entire weekend is full of activities and events. I am looking forward to the speaker night as well as the live music.
What workshops are you doing besides your presentation?
Vikki: I will be teaching an “Advanced Women’s Sport Climbing” clinic on Sunday. It’s a clinic geared towards women who are keen to take their outdoor sport climbing to the next level, whether that be 5.10 or 5.13. I’m super stoked to meet some psyched ladies! Don’t be shy girls, come join the fun!
Brette: I will be teaching Womans Advanced Trad climbing.
Presentations are always hard work. Is this your first together?
Vikki: Brette and I will be presenting different slideshows, but it’s our first time presenting on the same night together. It’s always fun to have a bud up there with you sharing stories on the same night, takes some of the pressure off!
What do you like the most about presenting to a live audience and sharing your stories?
Vikki: I like seeing the crowd’s reaction to the photos and the stories. It’s always good to see people getting a kick out of your various epics.
Brette: I like the energy I get from speaking to people who are interested in what I am doing. They have an understanding of the types of adventures I seek out.
Brette Harrington in Murrin Park. Photo courtesy of Brette Harrington.
Vikki, you spoke at a number special event this year in Vancouver to motivate others and their goals. What keeps you talking to the big crowds?
Vikki: My inability to say no! I’m a total introvert at heart, but once in a while I work up the courage to share some stories with people. I also find it comforting that the crowds are mostly climbers, so I feel like I’m with my people.. it’s easier to spill your guts that way.
Squamish is a bit smokey right now. Do you think that will affect the festival?
Vikki: It’s a definite concern for clinics and the outdoor activities, especially if the air quality is poor. We have our fingers crossed that the smoke won’t be an issue by the weekend. But even if it is, I’m positive it will still be a fantastic event.
Brette: I was quite concerned about the smoke, not only for the sake of the festival but for the general health concern. It seems to be clearing out now, so hopefully everything will work out.
Vikki in the Red River Gorge. Photo courtesy of Arc’teryx.
Did either of you put off any climbing plans to attend the festival?
Vikki: Hoping to climb every day of the festival, so I would say plans were made instead 🙂
Can you tell us a bit about your adventure and something that stood out from all the other experiences?
Vikki: Well my adventures in Morocco was all about new experiences on multiple levels. A new continent and a new objective. The goal was to put up a first ascent. You’ll have to attend the event to find out the rest.
Brette, What drives you to work you skills on the big wall and how did you get into big wall climbing?
Brette: I have always been attracted to exposure, and the hight of climbs. It may just be a natural liking for multi pitch and the mere adventure in big wall climbing.
Brette Harrington. Photo courtesy of Brette Harrington.
Vikki, you have more of a focus on sport climbing at the moment. What keeps you psyched during the hot months?
Vikki: honestly, due to the current heatwave, I haven’t been doing much sport climbing. I’ve really been enjoying the early morning trad sessions lately. You can always hand jam in 30 degrees!
Thanks to both of you for taking the time to talk to us. Vikki and Brette will be presenting tonight atop the Sea to Sky Gondola starting 6pm. THe event itself is free but you need to make it up to the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola, which is offering 20% off Day Passes from July 10th to the 12th. The Sunset Speaker series starts at 6pm followed by live music featuring Jon and Roy.
