They grew up in southwest Calgary, rebellious kids and getting into trouble. Though they didn’t know each other then and were separated by 14 years of age, both followed life-changing paths to the mountains and left indelible marks on the Canadian Rockies and ranges worldwide.
Mountain guide Barry Blanchard, 65, and renowned mountaineer and author Chic Scott, 79, recently became members of the Order of Canada, recognizing their lifetimes of adventure and contributions to mountain sports and literature.
From ‘Dirtbags’ to the Order of Canada
Neither expected an email from the Governor-General’s office, never mind the big news.
At first, Blanchard says he “looked at it and thought, ‘Is this a scam?’”
He decided to call the office and that’s when a government representative confirmed that it was legit.
“I said to her at the time, wow, my heart is pounding, and then we talked for another minute and I said, OK, now I’m crying,” Blanchard told The Albertan. “It was a full rush through my nervous system … it was quite out of the blue and unexpected.”
It was a similar story for Scott.
“As you can imagine, I’m thrilled. I’m delighted. I’m over the moon,” he said. “I have such great respect for what the Order of Canada means so all I can say is I’m just really, really honoured.”
Bold Climbs
Blanchard has been on the sharp end for many pioneering climbs, including a 1984 ascent of the North Spur of Rakaposhi in Pakistan and the following year, the first ascent of the North Pillar, a scary 1500-metre limestone wall in Jasper National Park that has only had one repeat ascent.
Blanchard climbed it with another legend, the late Dave Cheesmond. Gripped Magazine calls the route “one of the most awed, spoken about and well-known routes in North America.”
The Epic Traverse
Scott skied and climbed around the world. In 1967, he made the first winter ascent of Mt. Assiniboine. That same year, Scott and three others, including Lake Louise icon Charlie Locke, skied the Great Divide from Jasper to Lake Louise.
It was an epic 320-kilometre traverse crossing eight major icefields. They did it unsupported, in wool clothing, with skinny cross-country skis, and carrying everything on their backs – in just 21 days. It’s still epic. Fifty years passed until the Great Divide saw its second full traverse by a group of 20-somethings using modern, light gear. Scott was there to greet them at the finish line with his camera.
Telling Their Stories
Eventually, Scott channelled his passion for the mountains into writing, becoming a prolific author of guidebooks and mountain history, including Pushing the Limits, which chronicles the colourful history of Canadian mountaineering.
Blanchard poured his passions into professional mountain guiding while also writing The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains, which documents his youthful relationship with the vertical world.
“I was called to climbing. It’s a true calling,” Blanchard said.
In a press release, Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, called members of the Order of Canada “builders of hope for a better future.”
“Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries,” she said.
TheRockies.Life congratulates Barry Blanchard and Chic Scott, two Bow Valley mountain pioneers, for this well-deserved honour.
