CATHERINE VAILLANCOURT

Catherine is a translator by day, and a climber by night. Or vice versa on sunny days! Climbing took over her life almost 10 years ago, when she moved to Canmore, Alberta.

"The people I met (mostly educated dirt-bags) made me realize that there was another way of life than the one I had been leading. A very simple life, based on travels, friends, and climbing. Since then, I have devoted most of my time to living that life, as some people would pursue a rewarding career or start a family. At 31, I believe I have now found the balance between routine and freedom, career and lifestyle." 

Climbing has been a great ally to Catherine throughout the past decade. It has helped her conquer both  mental and physical barriers, and that is why it will never get old. She faces different challenges every time she tries a new problem or route. It is the complex relationship between body and mind that makes Catherine crave new projects. Of course, some of them go, and others remain incomplete, but that is all part of the game. Succeeding is worth every try, ever bit of skin lost, every minute of freezing her butt off all day at her local crag during late fall sessions. 

"For a moment, the top of that small rock, or the anchor of a route, somehow feels like the top of the world, and for me, that feeling is worth gold" 

With boyfriend Olivier Turgeon, Catherine travels ever time she gets the change to escape from routine. Together they have been to many beautiful places, where they have met wonderful people. Catherine hopes to embrace this lifestyle for many more years to come. 

For more info, photos and videos, visit our page at goneclimbing.wordpress.com.