Barry Blanchard
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Barry Blanchard (born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on March 29, 1959) is an associate director at Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is one of North America's best known mountaineers and mountain writers.
Barry has been involved with Yamnuska Mountain Adventures since its inception in the late '70s. In that time he has been involved in the renaissance of Canadian mountaineering with first ascents of many exceptional and seminal climbs. In tandem with his personal climbing development has been Barry's development of his guiding career. Whilst Barry is in much demand as a private guide he also finds time to guide and instruct on many of Yamnuska's regular programs and expeditions and to work with younger guides assisting them in their professional development.
Barry is an alpine ambassador for Patagonia.
Writing and speaking are also an important part of Barry's life and he spends much time on the road sharing his experiences as a guest speaker.
Barry moved to the mountains in 1982 to pursue his Mountain Guiding career (he is an internationally certified UIAGM mountain guide) and has included making Hollywood features such as K-2, Cliffhanger and Vertical Limit in his professional life.
He currently lives in Banff, Alberta, with his wife Catherine Mulvihill whom he met on a Mount Everest expedition in 1994, their daughter Rosemary, who arrived in 2004, and their dogs, Finnegan and Seamus.
[edit] First ascents
Barry has enjoyed some success:
- First ascent of The Andromeda Strain, 1983
- North Ridge of Rakaposhi, 1984
- First ascent of the apocalyptic North Pillar of North Twin
- West Ridge of Mount Everest, 1986
- Surviving the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, 1988
- Solo first ascent on the North Face of Kusum Kanguru, 1991
- Attempt on K-2, 1993
- First ascents in the St Elias mountains
- M-16, a first ascent, in winter, East Face of Howse Peak, 1999
- Third ascent of the Infinite Spur on Mount Foraker, 2000
- First ascent of Infinite Patience on the Emperor Face of Mount Robson, 2002
