20 Questions
Describe your climbing background?
Backcountry skiing and a general love of the mountains got me interested in climbing. A trekking trip through the Himalayas in Nepal when I was 19 sealed the deal… I wanted to climb! I moved to Squamish the following summer and my life as a climbing bum began. Since then I have spent time climbing cracks, sport climbs, multi pitches, big walls, alpine rock routes and a bit of snow and ice. I am an Association of Canadian Mountain Guides certified rock guide and spend my summers guiding and teaching rock climbing in Squamish. I spend the off seasons road tripping and climbing abroad, and during the winter I switch gears and become a full-time backcountry skier and avalanche awareness educator.

Was there a big breakthrough or defining moment for you?
The first time I slipped my mitts into a beautiful Squamish splitter.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?
For the past few years I have been in grad school, studying hydrogeology, so being nerdy with that has taken up most of my time. I backcountry ski all winter (my family owns and operates Valhalla Mountain Touring, a ski touring lodge in the Selkirk Mountains (www.vmt.ca). I also play around on my mountain bike, cook and read.

Any training advice or suggestions?
Rest your body! This has been hard for me to get my brain wrapped around. I have a ton of energy and taking rest days drives me nuts but is so necessary for getting stronger.

Who or what inspires you?
My husband Evan Stevens. He is really good at skiing, climbing, guiding, and many other things, but always finds the time to be social, friendly and kind.

Anything that really erks you in the mountains?
I had a shit bag dropped by a party above explode on me on The Nose one time. That was pretty horrible. Improper management of human waste sucks.

What's playing in your stereo/iPod/head right now?
It’s on shuffle. Murs to Feist to Radiohead to the Blue Scholars and on and on.

What book are you reading right now or read that you liked?
I am just finishing my thesis, so I am reading Environmental Isotopes in Hydrogeology… great soporific qualities. I loved The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan.

Seinfeld or Simpsons?
South Park.

What are your future plans or goals in climbing?
I will be heading into the Adamants Range in BC this summer for a week, which is a new spot for me and looks amazing. This fall I will likely hit up Spain for some steep sport climbing. In fall 2009 I would like to head to Pakistan and someday when I can afford to not work all winter I will make it to Patagonia. On the more local side of things, I have a tick list for Squamish, Yosemite and elsewhere that grows daily.

Any causes that you feel very strongly about?
Protecting water resources. One day I hope to do an expedition that can combine a climbing objective with the protection or remediation of water in a water scarce region.

Anyone that you would like to give a shout out to?
All of the friends and climbing partners I have shared adventures with so far.

Favorite piece of BD equipment and why?
Camalots (all sizes). Great range and durability. They are easy to place, which is sweet for sending and they don’t get stuck easily, which is sweet for guiding!

Favorite piece of non-BD equipment and why?
My new Five Ten Daescent shoes. They are a super compact and light approach/descent shoe that climb easy stuff well, perfect for multipitch descents.

For more info on Jasmin, go HERE.