From dirtbag to family man, one of the world’s top rock climbers reflects on his evolving relationship with risk
Professional Canadian climber Sonnie Trotter has spent much of his life calculating risk—logging roughly 5,000 days scaling rock faces around the world. In his 20s and 30s, he pursued his climbing goals with relentless passion, undeterred by the dangers of the sport. But now, as a husband, father, and veteran climber entering his fourth decade on the rock, his approach to risk has shifted. Still, he insists, the best part of climbing remains unchanged: the deep camaraderie and unforgettable moments shared with friends in the mountains.
In his upcoming memoir, Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life (Patagonia, 5.14.25, hardcover), Trotter takes readers on a journey through the highs and lows of an unconventional life spent outdoors. From his early days scraping together funds to chase his climbing dreams to tackling some of the hardest routes on Earth, Uplifted offers an intimate look at what it means to dedicate a life to climbing—while also navigating the messy, beautiful challenges of raising young kids.
With humor and honesty, Trotter recalls not only his greatest ascents but also near-misses, obstacles, and moments of profound freedom. He shares how his first truck was his ticket an itinerant-climber’s lifestyle, allowing him to live on the road and maximize his time in Squamish, British Columbia. It was there that he achieved a career-defining milestone: the first free ascent of Cobra Crack, a 5.14 overhanging granite seam, considered one of the most difficult crack climbs in the world. The accomplishment catapulted Trotter into the spotlight, landing him on the covers of dozens of climbing magazines. Squamish was also where he found the greatest adventure partner of his life—his wife, Lydia.
Throughout the book, Trotter remarks on how the mountains are changing. As the climate warms, climbing areas like Squamish have seen record-breaking heat waves, prolonged droughts, and heavier rainfall—all contributing to an increase in dangerous rockfalls. Some have been so massive they've wiped out entire sections of forest, he says, making it riskier than ever to roam freely beneath the cliffs.
Uplifted also includes entertaining, candid tales of climbs with fellow climbing legends such as Tommy Caldwell, Will Stanhope and Alex Honnold, and can be enjoyed with an accompanying Spotify playlist of songs that highlight eras of Trotter’s life.
“This is a refreshing memoir, fast, fun, and joyous, which reflects Sonnie's lifetime spent on the rock. He's always climbed with a certain effortlessness. This book captures that ease and joy in his retellings of adventures around the world.” – Alex Honnold, climber featured in “Free Solo” and author of Alone on the Wall
About the Author
Born and raised in the flatlands of southern Ontario, Sonnie Trotter discovered climbing at age 15 at an indoor gym called Of Rock and Chalk. For his 16th birthday, his parents gifted him a three-month climbing pass—a gift that would shape the rest of his life. At 17, Trotter traveled to Rifle, Colorado, where he climbed his first 5.14 and fell in love with both the mountains and the vagabond lifestyle. Over the years, he has lived out of six different vehicles, chasing his passion for climbing. A national champion in his early 20s, Trotter left competitions behind to focus on outdoor climbing, developing new routes, and pushing the limits of the sport. His hard repeats and bold first ascents soon caught the attention of the climbing world, leading to partnerships with brands like Patagonia and Five Ten. His accomplishments span nearly every climbing discipline, from deep-water soloing to big wall free climbs. Today, Trotter lives in Canada with his wife, Lydia, and their two children. He makes a living through writing, photography, product development, and guiding, and is a co-founder of the Canmore Climbing Gym, located near Banff National Park.
Career Highlights
Climbed the second free ascent of the Prophet (5.13dR), on El Capitan, Yosemite, California
Climbed The Proposal and The Phoenix, both V12
First free ascent of Cobra Crack (5.14), Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
First redpoint of the East Face of Monkey Face (5.13d R), Smith Rocks, Oregon
First ascent of The Shining, Mount Louis, Canada
First Free ascent of El Niño, via Pineapple Express, 5.13c, El Capitan, Yosemite, California
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Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life
By Sonnie Trotter | published by Patagonia
May 14, 2025 | ISBN 9781952338182 | $28 US | 208 pages | hardcover
Multi-city author tour in the U.S. and Canada | distributed by Ingram / PGW
Printed on 100% post-consumer waste paper
Press contact: Stephanie@wildridgepr.com, 512-810-9238