Jeff Lakes

Jeff Lakes was born in Trail in April 1962. He began climbing at age 18 on bluffs and mountains in and around Trail. Jeff became an experienced mountaineer, an expert ice climber, and a talented photographer.

As his climbing techniques improved, he began climbing in more challenging locales, mostly in the Canadian Rockies.

His resume over his 15 year climbing career include solo ascents in the Canadian Rockies, ascents of peaks in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes, in the Himalayas, and in Alaska. Photographs taken by Jeff during these adventures have appeared in numerous mountaineering and outdoor magazines in Canada and the United States.

Throughout his career, Jeff was known for his skill, his awareness of safety, and his competence. He taught many others the basics of climbing, introducing them to the sport he loved.

In 1993, Jeff was part of a Dutch expedition attempting to climb K2 in Pakistan, the world's second highest mountain. This expedition was turned back due to a severe storm.

In 1995, the opportunity arose again for Jeff to be part of a New Zealand team attempting to climb K2. Tragedy struck the team when it was hit by a severe storm and Jeff and 6 other climbers perished on the mountain.

In memory of Jeff, the College of the Rockies in Fernie has named a climbing wall in his honour to assist others in participating in the sport of mountaineering.