changlama Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release – June 24, 2008 CLIMBERS HONOURED WITH MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL AWARD JULY 17 The Squamish Mountain Festival will honour climbers of the past and present with an award named in honour of one of the pioneers of Squamish climbing. The Jim Baldwin Memorial award is sponsored by Mountain Equipment Co-op and will be presented annually to the climber or team of climbers that demonstrate boldness, innovation or significance in the climbing of a new route in the Squamish area. Each year the award will be presented to a past and present day recipient. “The idea was to commemorate the ground-breaking climbs of past generations while at the same time acknowledging the great climbs that are still happening out there today,” said festival producer, Ivan Hughes. The award in named for Jim Baldwin who was involved in many first ascents in Squamish, including Peasants’ Route in 1958, the area’s first technical climb. He wrote the first Squamish climbing guide, and made the first ascent of Grand Wall with Ed Cooper in 1961. Baldwin then traveled down to Yosemite Valley where he participated in the first ascent of Dihedral Wall on El Capitan in 1962 where it was only the third route on that cliff. He died in a rappelling accident on Washington Column in 1964, and is commemorated by a bronze plaque at what is now known as Memorial Ledge, above the Apron. A large steel and granite trophy has been commissioned for the award that will stand almost 3 feet tall and be inscribed with the winners’ names and the routes they completed. It will be on display at the Squamish Adventure Centre following the festival. The festival will present the award to the past and present day recipients at the Howe Sound Brew Pub on Thursday, July 17 as part of the Steep Shot Climbing Photography competition night. Tickets to the event are available on-line at www.squamishmountainfestival.com or at Valhalla Pure, Climb On and the Squamish Adventure Centre. Quote
olyclimber Posted June 24, 2008 Posted June 24, 2008 the prescription for when to release this great news is sure to enthrall many cubicle workers. sounds fun. Quote
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