Description

Please join us on September 23rd for our monthly social! This month, we’re featuring Max Thompson and Gustav Ekelund as our presenters.

Max Thompson – From the BMC to TNF and Back: A Tale of Two Acronyms

Max grew up in The Lower Mainland, where his dad fostered a lifelong love of the outdoors through hikes in the North Shore Mountains. He has been a club member since 2019, when he took the Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC), and in 2023 completed The North Face Leadership Course in The Rockies. After a short hiatus, Max returned in 2025 to help teach the BMC, coming full circle from his introduction to mountaineering six years ago.

In his talk, Max will share his journey as a mountaineer, touching on the motivations that drive his climbing — from connecting with nature and building community to enjoying technical challenges and the aesthetic satisfaction of summits — as well as his future mountaineering goals.

Gustav Ekelund – Head Crux: Third Time’s A Charm On North-West Corner, North Early Winter Spire

Gus has been climbing for three seasons, after first joining the ACC through a social event and Thursday night gym climbs in the fall of 2022. His passion is trad climbing, with a particular draw to the adventure aspect of alpine routes.

In his presentation, Gus will share the story of his multiple attempts on the North-West Corner of North Early Winter Spire. After breaking a hold and taking a big fall in July 2024, he returned and ultimately succeeded on his third attempt. It’s a story about resilience, learning from setbacks, and the joy of finally sending a route that tested him to his limits.

VanDusen Garden admission is not included with admission to this event.