“Helmcken Falls is the coolest waterfall in the world!” ice-climber Will Gadd told about 80 people at Clearwater ski hill on Thursday evening, Feb. 1.
It is also the most difficult mixed-climb in the entire world, in his and other experts’ opinion.
Gadd was the first to recognize the ice-climbing potential of Helmcken Falls and, starting in the winter of 2010/2011, he along with others have pioneered many routes up the waterfall.
Stephanie Molina, marketing manager of Tourism Wells Gray, recently learned that Gadd and his team were in Wells Gray Park trying a new ice climbing route up Helmcken.
She invited him to speak at the ski hill with the proceeds going to the ski club.
He was delighted to accept, she said.
“He said he loves to speak at community events like this,” Molina reported.
People drove in from Kamloops for the event.
“It was a packed house and the audience was engaged, and no pun intended, hung on his every word,” she said.
Gadd was accompanied by top adventure photographer Christian Pondella and Sarah Hueniken. Gadd and Hueniken were both the first to climb frozen Niagara Falls in 2015.
READ MORE: Helmcken Falls goes global (Feb. 14, 2011)
READ MORE: Ice climbers pioneer new routes on Helmcken (Mar. 4, 2014)
“Will gave a very engaging and at times amusing hour and half talk and presentation on how he started in his career as a professional adventure athlete, how he carefully manages risk, and his new impetus for choosing projects, which involves shedding light on climate changes to our planet,” Molina said.
Some of Gadd’s awareness of climate change came after trying to climb the ice on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, only to find there is very little of it left.
Highlights included talking about his first ice climbing competitions, his first project with Red Bull which involved ice climbing frozen icebergs that were floating in the ocean.
One of his first waterfall climbs was Hunlen Falls in Tweedsmuir Park, which is the third tallest in Canada.
He also spoke about his world record distance paragliding adventures, which took him over and above Mount Robson and taught him the importance of waiting for the right conditions.
“Will talked about the importance of being prepared and also of ensuring that you expect the worst so you can be safe,” said Molina. “He was humble, gracious, and very down to earth.”
“Ben (Bergeron) from the ski hill prepared a special multi-course dinner for the volunteers plus Will Gadd and his team that was very much enjoyed,” she noted.
The Tourism Wells Gray marketing manager praised the ski club executive and volunteers for helping to put together an amazing evening in less than three days time.
The evening raised over $1,100 for Clearwater Ski Club.
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– With notes from Stephanie Molina.
