A Thirst for Adrenaline !
As early as age 8, I knew that the seeds of adventure were deeply rooted in me. After my family emigrated to Quebec from Valparaiso, Chili, I enrolled almost immediately in the Canadian scout movement. Later on, at the age of 13, I joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as a member of Dorval-Lachine Squadron 686.
This marked the beginning of my passion for flying, as well as winter and summer forest survival. At the age of 16, I also obtained my driver’s and motorcycle driver’s permits. The following year, at the age of 17, I was awarded one of the rare piloting scholarships for the eastern region of Quebec. I was deployed to a location near the Bagotville military base for a period of seven weeks. This intensive course prepares young people for a career in the military, as well as an exciting and very competitive future. On July 26, 1989, I graduated from flight training school and proudly accepted my pilot wings.
In 1990, I became a flight instructor with Dorval-Lachine Squadron 686 and later on with Canadair Squadron 621 . I was also certified as a survival instructor.
To this day, I continue to indulge in my love of flying and the piloting of light aircraft. I have practiced my passion in Quebec, British Columbia and Chile.
My trips around the world have always been about challenging myself, both physically and psychologically. I believe that a person’s soul needs to dream, otherwise the heart feels heavy and depression sets in. In my case, travelling over mountains, oceans and through the skies has been my strength, my reason for living.
« When life beats a path to your heart, you can count on your passions and dreams to keep your spirit alive »
For over 13 years, I have been leading expeditions to some of the tallest mountains in the world. For example, in 1995 and 2002, I reached the summit of Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina (22,841ft.). In 2000 I reached the summit of
Mt. McKinley in Alaska (20, 320 ft.), In April of 2002 I reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa (19,450 ft.) Altogether, I have logged over five thousand hours of expedition style climbing experience in several parts of the world.
I have been mountain climbing, and have claimed victory over some of the worlds highest peaks. In 2007, in my eagerness to surpass myself and taste the adrenaline once more, I ascended Mount Everest. My goal now is to climb the world’s 14 highest mountains.
These endeavors are extremely demanding on the body and mind, however, they have taught me the true meaning of determination, perseverance, teamwork and conflict resolution, but above all else, the value of learning from my mistakes. Painful lessons taught me that to reach a state of glory, I must sometimes fall from grace, rebuild, and start all over again.
At times, Mother Nature was relentless and retreating from my summit bid was the only way to survive. As I matured, I began to see and feel the amazing parallels between climbing mountains and life itself.
In 1997, I had a vision that integrated climbing, corporate sponsorship, and raising funds for a good cause. I took a philanthropic approach to an otherwise selfish activity and the results were nothing short of affirmative.
Project Aconcagua 98’ raised over $21,000.00 for the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Project McKinley 2000 raised
$17,000.00 for the same charity and Kilimanjaro 2002 raised $17,000.00 for the Vancouver Children’s Hospital. In total, I invested approximately 18 months of hard work in order to raise $60,000.00 in sponsorship funds and $55, 000.00 in charity funds.
I embark in these projects because I love climbing but also because I truly believe that my expeditions help children look beyond the limitations of their distinctive challenge, be it physical, mental, or educational.
I aim to evoke imagination, courage and, perseverance in our young counterparts. Yes I want to quench my own thirst for personal adventure but I also want to let others benefit from my dreams. I strongly believe that I have a responsibility to improve the community in which I live in and thus having an altruistic mind set is essential.
On May 2009 I was the 1st Quebecer to attain the summit of
the Mt. Everest for the second time ! This expedition to reach the summit a second time was to raise money for the Quebec Lung Association.
Another of my goal is to be the first Canadian to reach the summit of Everest three times.