Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
Climbing in the Rocky Mountains has long been a popular pastime.
But one Jasperite wants to put our park on the map.
Francois Laplante came to Jasper in 2014 to explore our climbing routes and collect them into a book.
And he never left.
He said: “Jasper doesn’t receive the coverage it should, which means not as many climbers, but there could be so much more which would lead to more development.
“The ultimate goal is to make this place famous worldwide.
“Banff has recognition for climbing. We have the same thing but it’s not as obvious.”
Laplante said he fell in love with Jasper’s style of climbing, became part of the community, and now raises money to replace routes and put in new ones.
“After being involved in the community and feel I have a responsibility to take care of the place,” Laplante said.
“With the bolt fund we are trying to get more diversity and more climbers out there.”
As money trickles into the bolt fund, a team of local climbers replace current bolts and put in new routes.
Laplante, a professional climbing guide, said the metals used are very expensive because they are specialised, long-lasting and very strong.
“I’m hoping that this is going to be ongoing for a long time,” he said.
"Putting up new routes is hard work and can be time consuming but seeing the community’s contribution makes developers motivated to work even harder and put up more routes from all grades.”
When Laplante’s guidebook was published in 2016 there were about 600 climbing routes in Jasper National Park.
He said new routes are put in every year and some projects have already started for this year including the potential for new crags to be developed this summer.
“I think Jasper is pretty neat,” Laplante said.
“The Rockies have a lot to offer everyone, whether beginner or more intermediate.
“My favourite thing is the people. The community here is small but it’s great. Most climbers here are really great, really friendly.”
Laplante said thank you for all the contributions so far "and to believe in us and the potential this place has.”
You can contribute to the bolt fund at https://ca.gofundme.com/jasperrockclimbingboltfund.
