Sonnie Trotter (born 15 November 1979) is a Canadian professional climber, known for his strength in many rock climbing disciplines – particularly traditional climbing – and contributing to hundreds of first free ascents around the world.
Climbing career
Trotter began climbing in 1997 at age 16 and became the first Canadian to climb at grade 5.14c, and the third North American to make the first free ascent of a 5.14d (9a) graded route. In later years, Trotter became known for his traditional climbing routes, and his first free ascent of the Cobra Crack in Squamish, British Columbia. In 2006, Trotter and climbing partner Matt Segal, connected The Shadow (5.13b), The Grand Wall (5.13b), and The Black Dyke (5.13b), on the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, in a single 12-hour push.
Personal
He currently works at Elevation Place in Canmore, Alberta.[2] He lives in Canmore with his wife, daughter and son.[3]
Filmography
'Trotter has been featured in three award-winning films. "The Cobra Crack", won the best short film at the BIMFF in 2006. "If you're not falling" won Best Short Film at BIMFF in 2008 and "First Ascent" is the winner of multiple awards. Trotter is also prominently featured in the opening scenes of the hit motion picture 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2' being chased by Bella while free soloing.[4]"
Notable ascents
Traditional routes
The Prophet (5.13d R), November 2011, El Capitan. First repeat with Will Stanhope of Leo Houlding's 2010 traditional climbing route.[5][6]
Rhapsody (5.14c R, E11 7a), June 2008, Dumbarton, Scotland. First repeat of Dave MacLeod's famous traditional climbing route, world's first E11.[7][8]
The Path (5.14a R, E10/11), August 2007, Lake Louise, Alberta. First free ascent having chopped the bolts off an abandoned sport climb project.[9][10]
^"Wide Boy Pete Whittaker Sends the Cobra Crack (5.14)". Rock & Ice. 17 February 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2023. The Cobra Crack was finally completed in 2006 by Canadian Sonnie Trotter, and the crack is now considered one of the hardest trad climbs in the world.