Guy Lacelle (1955-2009)
Dec 11, 2009
World-famous Canadian ice climber Guy Lacelle died Thursday morning when an avalanche swept him off a route at the Bozeman Ice Festival at Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon. Reports suggest that Lacelle was climbing a gully when he was hit by a small avalanche triggered by a party climbing above him.
"A small pocket of snow pulled out and caught him. It hit him and took him off the cliff, down the ice," said Doug Chabot, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
Lacelle was one of world’s top ice climbers with numerous ground-breaking first ascents and repeats in the Canadian Rockies, Quebec, the US and Europe. His accomplishments earned him international recognition including the Bill March Summit of Excellence Award in 1999.
Born in Hawksbury, Ontario, Lacelle started climbing while studying at the University of Ottawa in the 1970s. He later became a winter courses instructor for Outward Bound in Ontario and a guide for the Yamnuska Mountain School in Canmore, Alberta.
He is survived by his wife, Marge Lachecki.
"A small pocket of snow pulled out and caught him. It hit him and took him off the cliff, down the ice," said Doug Chabot, director of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
Lacelle was one of world’s top ice climbers with numerous ground-breaking first ascents and repeats in the Canadian Rockies, Quebec, the US and Europe. His accomplishments earned him international recognition including the Bill March Summit of Excellence Award in 1999.
Born in Hawksbury, Ontario, Lacelle started climbing while studying at the University of Ottawa in the 1970s. He later became a winter courses instructor for Outward Bound in Ontario and a guide for the Yamnuska Mountain School in Canmore, Alberta.
He is survived by his wife, Marge Lachecki.