Emilie Pellerin

Discipline: Climbing Team

ABOUT ME:

For Emilie Pellerin, harmony under pressure is instinctive. Over the last 13 years, she has honed her climbing into an expressive eloquence. Emilie occupies a special spot. Besides routinely onsighting 5.13c and above, she is one of 10 women who has redpointed a 5.14 crack. She says, “As a child, I wanted to be a figure skater because I liked the feeling of freedom and intuitive movement.” She adds, “I guess that’s why I like onsighting so much.”

Emilie has a generous disposition, true warmth, and sympathetic nature. To behold her ability to read sequences and find improbable rests on overhanging rock is to witness something akin to magic. Her life—and climbing—is a study in paradox. Her style is controlled yet dynamic. She is tenacious, yet relaxed. She routinely challenges the odds, whether it’s sending in the face of an impending storm or eking through a long runout on a muddy crack.

Claim to Fame - Can scratch her ears with the big toe of either foot.

PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

• Lead guitarist for Svarkskull, a now defunct heavy metal band
2008 - present | 80+ 5.13c and above onsights
2016 | First Quebec women to climb 5.14 - Tom et je Ris, Verdon Gorge, France
2017 | First Coupe Québec, bouldering, lead and overall, Tour de Bloc Championship - 2017
2017 | Bouldering Worldcup & Lead Worldcup - 2017
2018 | Onsight of The Shadow (+ University Wall and the Roman Chimneys), Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, 2018
2018 | Fire in the Sky, 5.13 mix-trad, Adirondacks, USA - 2018
2019 | Air China, 5.13d trad - 2019
2020 | La Zébrée, 5.14a trad – 2020 *1st (and only) Canadian women to climb 5.14 Trad

Q+A:

Who is your favorite climbing partner?

I like climbing partners who are supportive, psyched, good at failing, and who are trying hard - no matter the grade they climb. Your partner is what makes the biggest difference in your mental state while climbing

What is your go-to hype song?

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

What was the first La Sportiva product you tried?

Mythos

Which charity/advocacy organizations do you support or belong to?

I belong to a number of advocacy organizations that I believe in, including the Squamish Access Society (SAS), Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) (A non-profit organization working to protect the endangered old-growth forests in the province of BC, Canada), and Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada. These organizations are well run and dedicated to the betterment of my home and the planet. I also believe everybody should have access to nature, it makes us better humans. Outer Peace seeks to remove barriers, so everyone can experience the transformative power of nature.

APE INDEX:

5'2 1/2'' WITH A 0 APE INDEX