The day I tried rock climbing inevitably changed my life
forever. Before I knew it, I quit my job as a white water canoe trip guide and
I was road trip bound, set to explore rocks across North America. After years
of living out of a car, I got the itch to have a home base and start guiding
again. Born in Ontario, I've always had a bond with the great lakes and the
Niagara Escarpment. I fell in love with Lion's Head and the Beaver Valley, a
beautiful area set along the Georgian Bay and the escarpment. I started up a
guiding company based out of Thornbury called On the Rocks Climbing Guides and
it has since taken off like wild fire. Now I get to live out my dreams every
day, guiding awesome people and teaching a variety of climbing courses at crags
close to home. When I am not guiding full time, I love to develop new routes
along the Escarpment and push myself on the awesome trad, sport and mixed style
that the local stone offers. It is a guarantee that I will get itchy feet by
fall/winter each year, and my husband and I rent out our home and hit the open
road with our Trillium trailer in search of new adventures and personal
bests on the rocks. I love all styles of climbing and have always strove to be
well rounded in most disciplines and styles. Mostly, I just want to push my
limits, explore and have amazing adventures with good friends in beautiful
places. Rock climbing truly changed my life, I feel most connected with myself
and nature when I dance across stone and can't imagine doing anything else. I
am blessed to of found my true passion in life :)
 |
| www.mountainlifemag.ca |
 |
| Leslie climbs Magnum Opus in Lime Kiln Canyon |
LESLIE TIMMS
PROFESSIONAL GUIDE/PASSIONATE CLIMBER
Work
Owner/Head Guide of On the Rocks Climbing Guides
Regula Contributor to Gripped Magazine
PCGI Mentor/Certification course provider
PCGI Board of Directors member
Education
Graduated with honors, Outdoor Adventure Program at Algonquin College
Certified PCGI Lead Guide
Approved PCGI SPG/TRG Mentor
Wilderness First Responder
First Ontario woman to climb 5.14
Established most difficult trad/mixed route at Lion's, Head, Ontario: Above the Clouds 5.13a
Established several sport and traditional routes in Ontario ranging from 5.10d-5.13a
Redpointed traditional routes up to 5.13c
Onsighted sport routes up to 5.13a
Bouldered up to V10
Above the Clouds 5.13a (Mixed). Ontario, 2013.
Stratus Fear 5.12d (Trad), Ontario, 2013.
The Ripple Effect 5.12c (sport), Ontario, 2015.
Whoopie Cushion 5.12c (sport), Ontario, 2013.
Stihl Your Face 5.12a (sport), Ontario, 2011.
Showered with Gifts 5.11d (sport), Ontario 2016.
Weekday Warrior 5.11a(sport), Ontario, 2014.
Showered with Gifts 5.11d (sport), Ontario 2016.
Weekday Warrior 5.11a(sport), Ontario, 2014.
Sleeping Husky 5.10a (sport), Ontario 2015
If your day ain't going right, go left. 5.5 (sport, multi-pitch), Ontario 2013.
If your day ain't going right, go left. 5.5 (sport, multi-pitch), Ontario 2013.
 |
| Leslie gets the first ascent of "Above the Clouds" a 5.13a mixed route that towers 45m above Georgian Bay in Lion's Head, Ontario. |
Community & Media:
Co-Founder/Organizer of the Beaver Valley Climbing Festival raising over $10,000 for the Ontario Access Coalition
Regular Contributor to Gripped Magazine
Slideshow presentations and various outdoor climbing courses for the Alpine Club of Canada, Mountain Equipment Coop and several Toronto climbing gyms.
Climbing clinic instructor at the Red River Rendezvous, Red Rock Rendezvous and Beaver Valley Climbing Festival
Recognized by the Alpine Club of Canada and Ontario Access Coalition for volunteer contributions to Ontario climbing.
Retro bolted several local climbs
Photos, appearances, articles in Gripped Magazine, Mountain Life Magazine, Dead Point Magazine, Rock and Ice & Climbing Magazine
Guest appearance in The Continuum Project, a film by Chris Alstrin of Alstrin Films
 |
| Leslie onsights Pushing Up Daddies a classic 5.12 at her home crag: Lion's Head, Ontario |
 |
| Leslie at her home away from home: Joshua Tree, California. |
Websites/Social Media:
Live the life you love. Love the life you live.
