The Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) – Yukon Section held their first Top Rope Night of the season Wednesday at the Rock Gardens off Hamilton Boulevard in Whitehorse.

I slogged out to the site along with a couple of the climbers in my rubber boots, which were not the best for making my way down a steep trail leading to the climbing area.

The snow below the cliff faces, or crags, was deep enough in places that one climber, Stephanie Saal, sunk in over her knees.

Corinne Montpetit, the ACC secretary and one of the board members, and Ragn (pronounced Ron) Valdroyle were the Top Rope Night leaders at the climb, along with Top Rope Nights volunteer Rob Cohen.

I asked them what they were doing out there.

Montpetit said “just having a lot of fun and climbin’ some chilly-looking rocks, but it’s still a good time for everybody.”

Valdroyle added “trying to create a community atmosphere where people can come and casually rock climb and build more of a friendship and a bond over climbing, rather than just trying to push grades.”

When I asked if it’s a good place for beginners to start, Valdroyle replied “perfect. It’s intended really for everyone. We have some really strong climbers who come and show up and we also have people who have never climbed before, so it’s a great spot for everyone.”

Cohen added “it’s quite an expensive sport to get into so this is like a fairly non-committal way to give it a go in a really controlled environment.”

As for the degree of difficulty, Montpetit recalled “last year we’ve had little kids less than three, four years old and they were just like, in their little harnesses and their little shoes and just climbing for so much enjoyment they didn’t care how high they were getting; they were just trying to see what they could do and it was really exciting and really cool cause I was belaying them, so it was really fun seeing how far they could climb.

“So anyone from as young as that and as old as – I think we’ve seen some ...”

Valdroyle chipped in “mid-fifties.”

Montpetit continued “... come out and just enjoy talking and just hanging out as well as just climbing for a good time and just for leisure.”

But what about gear?

“The ACC provides all gear for anyone who’s interested in wanting to come out for these nights,” explained Montpetit.

“You get a helmet, you would get maybe a pair of shoes, the ropes are set up, you get a harness, everything, as well as some instruction – it’s all available. You can ask anybody who comes out to the Nights and everyone’s always willing to lend a helping hand. As well, you can always find out the next Top Rope Night – we change locations, sometimes go to Vinyl Village or maybe Copper Cliffs as well. It’s another really easy and beginner spot for everybody to come out and try out climbing,”

“I’d encourage everyone to follow the ACC Facebook page for any updates,” she added.

Regarding how expensive the sport is, Montpetit said a little bit at a time goes a long way.

“I think slowly building a collection is a lot easier than purchasing everything at once. It’s like buying your whole sleep camp setup but a little bit cheaper in the beginning. Don’t have to buy a $200 or a $400 sleeping bag first go.”

Cohen added “for an absolute beginner, as long as they’re tagging along with someone that has everything – it’s like shoes, helmet, harness – it’ll cost you like, $300, maybe $250 new.”

The climbers said it varies as to how long it takes to determine whether or not it’s for you.

“It depends for everybody,” related Montpetit.

“I was the type of person – I didn’t think I was gonna come back to these nights but Ragn actually encouraged me a little bit more ‘come out to the next one and it’ll get easier. It’s your first time.’ And I’ve really grown to enjoy it and enjoy the community that’s built around it as well.”

I ran into Alexander Bernard of France at the top of the crags. Bernard has been in Canada six years and in the Yukon six months.

“I love climbing and mountaineering,” shared Bernard.

“Lots of ice climbing. Come back from climbing this year actually, from two years stopping, almost. But ice climbing, I have never stopped. I prefer winter; that’s why I am in the Yukon, right?”

“I start when I was 14, ice climbing when I was 18, so it’s been almost 10 years.”

Bernard said he climbs because “I like challenge and big mountains. I like adrenalin.”

He prefers longer climbs.

“Yeah, longer climbs, longer route, hiking with heavy backpacks. Good cardio though.”

Bernard does a lot of climbing.

“I have lots of project in Yukon, B.C.”

He has also done many expeditions.

“Oh. yeah. Winter expedition, for sure, climbing, I’m doing mushing a lot with dogs and longer trip, overnights – top of glacier and all of these ones,” related Bernard.

John Serjeantson was trying a particularly difficult climb on an overhanging rock face.

“I’ve tried this rock before. I did ok. It’s short. It’s early season, so I’m definitely feeling weak still but it’s a good one. It’s fun,” he said enthusiastically.

For William Bourguignon, it was his first time climbing outdoors after previously climbing indoors.

“It felt good. I think I might get used to this.”

Bourguignon had to climb in his boots, since they didn’t have size 12 climbing shoes (“steel toes, no less”) but did well.

Brandon McCarthy was also new to outdoor climbing.

“It’s good. It was fun. It was nice to get out and get on some actual rock.

“It’s my first time climbing outside. I’ve only climbed in gyms.”

Gina Slevinsky of Tagish, who seemed to be an experienced climber, went quickly up the cliff face.

“This is my first climb of the season and there’s snow on the ground,” said Slevinsky.

“That’s not a problem. I’m not on the ground. But the rock’s cold and my fingers – the fingertips were getting a little numb halfway up, but ‘just do it!’”