Born and raised in the flatlands of southern Ontario, Sonnie Trotter discovered climbing at age 15 at an indoor gym called Of Rock and Chalk. For his 16th birthday, his parents gifted him a three-month climbing pass—a gift that would shape the rest of his life. At 17, Trotter traveled to Rifle, Colorado, where he climbed his first 5.14 and fell in love with both the mountains and the vagabond lifestyle.
Over the years, he has lived out of six different vehicles, chasing his passion for climbing. A national champion in his early 20s, Trotter left competitions behind to focus on outdoor climbing, developing new routes, and pushing the limits of the sport. His hard repeats and bold first ascents soon caught the attention of the climbing world, leading to partnerships with brands like Patagonia and Five Ten. His accomplishments span nearly every climbing discipline, from deep-water soloing to big wall free climbs.
Today, Trotter lives in Canada with his wife, Lydia, and their two children. He makes a living through writing, photography, product development, and guiding, and is a co-founder of the Canmore Climbing Gym, located near Banff National Park.
Sonnie Trotter is one of the most accomplished and respected rock climbers of his generation. Over the past three decades, he has pushed standards on some of the world’s most challenging routes, established bold first ascents, and inspired a global community with his creativity, humility, and grit. In his new book Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life, Sonnie reflects on his journey in climbing and in life—blending memoir with meditation on movement, meaning, and what it truly means to dedicate yourself to a craft.
In this presentation, Sonnie will share stories and lessons from the highs and lows of a career spent chasing lines across the globe, while also exploring the ways writing, parenting, and community have shaped his perspective on adventure and purpose. From living out of a van to raising a family in the mountains of Canada, Sonnie’s reflections are as honest as they are inspiring—offering wisdom not just for climbers, but for anyone seeking to live with curiosity, effort, and joy.
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