Bio
Canadian Sonnie Trotter started climbing in 1997, when he was 16. In that short time he’s racked up an impressive list of climbing accomplishments including being the first Canadian to climb 5.14c and the third person in North America to establish 5.14d. In 2004 Sonnie completed the first redpoint of the East Face of Monkey Face (5.13d R) at Smith Rock. He’s also been working on climbs on the massive 1,200-foot block of granite at Cap Trinité in Quebec. In the summer of 2005, Sonnie explored deep-water soloing in Malta. He and his friends climbed dozens of first ascents – all ground up, all natural, and all hanging over the Mediterranean Ocean. He hopes to work more with this style of climbing during an upcoming trip to Thailand. Sonnie loves challenging boulder problems and has climbed The Proposal and The Phoenix, both V12.

When Sonnie was 18, he made a trip to Rifle, Colorado where he tested himself physically and psychologically. During this time it was becoming clear that climbing was taking on a more important role in his life. He decided that he was going to pursue climbing instead of going back to school.

Sonnie says, "Rifle opened my eyes up to everything. The people, the passion, and the places we travel. Rifle was like opening the door to the candy store, as soon as I tasted that life I knew it was what I wanted to do forever. Climb rocks and travel the world."

Sonnie is currently focused on climbing, with traditional gear, routes that are in jeopardy of being bolted to demonstrate that they can be done with a cleaner style of climbing.

Environmental Projects
"I believe in outdoor recreation, but I also believe in conservation. We need to learn from the past and employ new strategies to make it work. I’m also into trail maintenance. We should all volunteer to keep our trails clean and erosion-free."

Favorite Products
"The Micro Puff Pullover, hands down. It's the most versatile item ever. It's warm enough for cold days, but comfortable and stylish enough to wear anywhere, anytime – from an alpine climb to a dinner party. It's so small it fits anywhere and light enough that you never think of it until you need it the most."

Recommended Web Sites
Adbusters - Foundation with goal of changing the way society and the mass media interact. Subscribe to Adbusters online.

Alpinist – A reader-supported magazine that celebrates world alpinism and adventure climbing in the simplest, most beautiful manner possible.

The Surfer's Path – The online home of an image-packed surf magazine printed on 100% post-consumer waste paper with non-GMO soy inks.

Quotable
"I get really scared when rappelling, but climbing is no problem."