Hanging in There

Photographing Rock Climbing on Vancouver Island

Colby scaling Lower Benson with Tom on top belay - Canon EOS R, RF 24-105mm

When I was a kid my dad used to take me to a cool rock climbing gym in Edmonton called Vertically Inclined. I spent countless hours there tied into a little harness and scrambling up and down the various routes. I vividly remember my chalk dusted hands and the smell of the shoe spray they’d use to disinfect between visitors. I’d climb and climb - never tiring from the activity. My favourite part of the climb was reaching the top of the wall, ringing the little bell at the ceiling and leaning backwards to be lowered down. Once in awhile my dad would let me down fast and stop me just before I hit the ground. I was all about the thrill. After what felt like hours of climbing he’d let me pick out a Sobe drink from the cooler. Back then Sobe came in a big glass bottle that I could barely finish in one helping. My go-to flavour was a pink strawberry banana “lizard fuel” that hasn’t existed in probably 20 years. Those are good memories from my childhood. Like many things I tried as a child, I never really stuck with climbing. Years later when my sister and her now husband started dating, they were working at a youth outreach centre in north Edmonton. It was a really cool place to hang out and stay out of trouble. We used to go on Sundays when the centre was closed. With the place all to ourselves we could skate the ramps, listen to my favourite music over the P.A and climb on the rock wall as much as we liked. Ron refreshed my memory on the figure 8 knot and with some good crash mats in place I would self belay while I scaled the wall. Once he left that job I again stopped climbing. Fast forward to 2024. Living back on Vancouver Island after a 6 year stint in Alberta where I worked the oil field, I started to revisit my love for all things adventurous. It’s here that I camp, hike, gold pan and explore old mines all within minutes from my home. My favourite spot on the Nanaimo River has become a popular climbing destination. Most days I’m out there I’ll see people scaling the canyon faces or bouldering on the massive rocks that line the canyon floor. I started thinking that I’d like to climb but I don’t have any friends that are actively climbing. Even better, What if I could photograph them in action?

I put a feeler out to a friends older sister. I knew she was actively climbing with a good group of people. I asked her if she knew anyone I could link up with for some photos. Right away she put me in touch with Colby. I recognized Colby from his job at a local outdoor outfitter. He was keen right away to get out and do some climbing. I was candid about my lack of experience but he assured me he had some gear that would get me up the mountain. All I needed was a harness. Excited to try something “new” and meet this guy, we set up a time and date to make it happen.

Initially I thought we could climb at that spot on the river. I pictured these insane visuals of a climber halfway up a cliff face with the river slightly out of focus below him. Colby recommended a different spot up Mount Benson not far from Ammonite Falls. I’d never been there before but I trusted his expertise and met him at the planned time with my camera bag, drone and my harness in tow. Colby invited his friend Tom along who seemed slightly less experienced and definitely eager to learn more from Colby. We hiked the winding and steep trail up to the face. These two guys did it effortlessly while I took many breaks, desperate to catch my breath. “You alright?” they called down to me. Just dying… I eventually caught up, legs on fire and heart pounding. I’ve definitely got some work to do in regards to getting in shape.

I pulled out my camera gear, excited to send the drone up. Colby geared up himself and prepared to climb with Tom on belay.

Colby and Tom making a plan to ascend the face at Lower Benson, Nanaimo

Once Colby was in place with Tom on belay, it was time to climb. I was stuck on the ground at first and honestly, I was still catching my breath. I put my DJI Mavic 2 Pro in the air to get some high angle shots of Colby climbing his way up the face.

Aerial shot of Colby Ascending the wall with Tom on belay - Shot on DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Colbys plan was to climb to the top of the first wall with a tag line attached to his back. Once there, he would secure the tag line adjacent to the main rope so that I could ascend beside Tom while Colby belayed from up top. I took a few more drone shots before bringing the Mavic 2 down and getting myself harnessed up with my camera.

Colby reaching for his chalk bag as he ascends the mountain - Shot on DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Nearing the first Ledge - Shot on Mavic 2 Pro

With Colby up top, Tom ready to climb and me with my very own static line and a hand ascender, I began to make my way up the face ahead of Tom. Managing my Canon EOS R and 24-105mm lens while climbing a wall wasn’t exactly easy. Thankfully it was made easier by my Peak Design Slide camera strap. One side of the strap has a rubberized textured grip that prevents the strap from sliding around your neck. With this I was able to keep the camera on my back while I climbed up the face. Tom was pretty quick and I had to move fast to stay ahead of him. I found a good spot to stage myself for a few quick snaps before meeting Colby at the top of the first ledge.

Tom climbing Lower Benson, Nanaimo - Shot on Canon EOS R, RF 24-105mm

Once all three of us were together on the ledge, We had to bring up our ropes and repeat the process to summit the second face. This time Tom climbed first with the tag line in tow. He made it to the top of the route and secured himself to belay Colby before dropping the static line down to me. I again got a head start and found a nice place to stage myself while Colby began his climb.

Colby ascending the second face - Canon EOS R, RF 24-105mm

Tom and Colby at the top of Lower Benson climbing wall - Canon EOS R, RF 24-105mm

Once we all reached the top of the route we took some time to enjoy the magnificent views of Nanaimo. The golden light started to turn to a spectacular sunset while we sat on the ledge bullshitting. It was time for the fun part - Rappelling down the face. My static line was long enough to do the whole thing in one shot. I secured my camera and leaned back into my harness with one hand on the brake of the GRIGRI and the other on the tail end of the rope. Pushing off the face I made my way down a few metres at a time until I touched my feet on terra firma. This was my first time out climbing a real rock face. The indoor gyms are a nice time and a great workout but there’s nothing that compares to the real deal - The thrill of the adventure and the reward of spectacular views at the top. A big thanks to Colby and Tom for taking me out and letting me try something new. I got nice shots with both the Canon and the Mavic 2 Pro. I think next time I go I’d like to have the Peak Design Capture Clip to keep the camera secure and available while I climb. I’d also bring my DJI Mini 4 Pro up the mountain so I could get some aerials from up top. Looking forward to the next one!

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