ACC Gazette Section Stories: Thunder Bay
The Freeze Forge
Story by Frank Pianka for the 2025 Gazette, photos by Wes Bender and Shawn Morgan.
Like all ACC chapters, the Thunder Bay Section is a place where climbers connect to find partners and do some climbing. Sometimes those partnerships last a route, and sometimes they last a lifetime.
In 2003, Shawn Morgan arrived in Thunder Bay from Toronto and within a day we had him boating across Lake Superior to put his skills to work with Project Peregrine (climbers working with biologists to access falcon nests on cliffs) at one of the most challenging sites – the east side cliffs of Old Woman Bay.
Around this time, Wes Bender joined the T-Bay Section as well, eager to learn all he could about climbing from the club’s mentors. Wes decided he wasn’t especially keen on rock but loved ice climbing. And he became really good at it. It might have been their shared appreciation for a good joke, guitar playing and singing, or perhaps even beer, but something clicked with Shawn and Wes. It was the ice climbing that took their friendship to a new level as they honed their skills over the next decade, climbing in the Thunder Bay region and beyond.
Although it might be lesser known than the Rockies, Northwestern Ontario, centred around Thunder Bay, is home to some of the finest ice climbing in Canada.
Shawn and Wes’ shared passion for ice began locally but very soon it took them farther afield. In their first couple seasons on the ice their focus was on Quebec, including climbing Pomme d’Or, one of the most famous pure ice climbs in eastern Canada. That was followed by a marathon trip to the Rockies to bag some of the classics of the west.
They chased big world-class ice routes in other cold countries as well. First was Iceland, where they learned to accept less than ideal conditions, to be rewarded with perfect conditions later in the trip. When one of them, usually Wes, hatches an idea they get right to it without second thoughts. “How about Norway next year?” “Let’s do it!”
Indeed, they did, and many of us in the section followed along, eagerly scrolling through their online progress reports and photos, vicariously enjoying their icy adventures in far flung places.
Over the years Shawn has passed on his passion to his sons and was always ready for the next adventure. Wes continues to be recognized as one of the best ice climbers in our region and became Chair of the Thunder Bay Section for a stint. The expertise, focus and grace of his movement over ice is still there.
Both Wes and Shawn have made a significant contribution to our section by helping with Project Peregrine and by modelling a solid climbing partnership. Wes continues to map all the best ice climbs in our region and post witty but honest condition reports for the larger ice climbing community.
Their enthusiasm for the next great adventure is still there as well, continuing to ride on the bond of a friendship formed when the trajectory of two people happened to intersect in the Thunder Bay Section of the ACC. You can’t ask for much more!
Regional ACC Sections are the Alpine Club of Canada’s strength. Membership in an ACC Section enables members to participate in numerous summer and winter mountaineering, rock climbing, and skiing activities, coordinated by experienced amateur leaders in their local area. The majority of activities offered by sections are either free or are offered on a break-even basis to their members. Through ACC Section trips you’ll learn all the basics you need to travel safely in the mountains, while meeting new friends to enjoy your experiences with.
Tell us your story!
We are always seeking great articles and stories from members and regional sections. Drop us an email and pitch your ACC story – we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to our editorial team at gazette@alpineclubofcanada.ca
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