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Press Release

October 30, 2007

Sean Isaac becomes Editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal

The Alpine Club of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Isaac as Editor of the Canadian Alpine Journal.

The Canadian Alpine Journal (CAJ) is an annual Canadian publication which provides a record of the Canadian mountain ethos and mindset. The CAJ includes articles and images that reflect the ways that Canadians approach mountain culture, history, sport and science. The CAJ represents Canadian climbing from coast-to-coast, as well as what Canadian climbers are doing outside of our grand country. The information in the Journal is current and reflective of the broadest standards of style and difficulty. To the mountain community, the CAJ is a collection of writings that individually and together celebrate the precious value and the infinite possibilities of life in the mountains.

Sean Isaac, known for his accomplishments in the climbing world, pursues the adventure and exploration aspect of climbing with a passion for new routes and traveling the world. He has completed 14 major mountain expeditions in the past 9 years forging new routes up remote and obscure alpine peaks in all corners of the globe, including Patagonia, Kyrgyzstan, Alaska, Northwest Territories, Peru and Pakistan. Closer to home, Sean has been one of a handful of motivated climbers pushing mixed standards in the Canadian Rockies. Articles and photos of his expeditions and local climbs have been published in numerous international periodicals including Climbing, Rock and Ice, Alpinist, Men's Journal, Outside, Gripped, Explore, High, Climber, Desnivel, Klettern, Su Alto, Canadian Alpine Journal and American Alpine Journal. In addition, Sean is the author of "Mixed Climbs in the Canadian Rockies" published by Rocky Mountain Books and "How to Climb: Mixed Climbing" published by Falcon Books.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Alpine Journal and this timely change in editorship means that the Alpine Club of Canada is continuing on its journey in this changing world to offer high quality literature to the mountain community in Canada and abroad.

Isaac takes over editorship from renowned author, climber and clinical psychologist Geoff Powter, who had been Editor of the CAJ since 1993. “Geoff Powter is not just a respected climber in his own right,” says Bob Sandford, historian and past Vice-President of Mountain Culture for the ACC. “As editor of the CAJ, Geoff proved himself a thoughtful and caring historian, an excellent editor and designer and a fine writer whose insights were drawn from a profound understanding of the psychology of mountaineering."

In what Isaac calls a logical progression, he has gone from being a reader of the CAJ at the age of 19, to a contributor, and for the last three years, has been assistant editor, and now, Editor. ‘’This is a great opportunity. Working with Geoff on the Journal in the past few years has been enlightening and I look forward to continuing the great job that he’s done in featuring all aspects of mountains and climbing, including the inner and more spiritual aspects…..’’ comments Sean. ‘’I am very excited about this project as it will further exercise my brain muscle thus balancing the more physical sides of my life; climbing and guiding. I have very large mountain boots to fill replacing Mr. Powter, but I rarely back down from a good challenge."

The Alpine Club of Canada looks forward to yet another long-term relationship with its new Editor and to many more interesting climbing stories.

The new deadline for submissions to the Canadian Alpine Journal is February 1.

Send your stories, trip reports and photos to Sean Isaac at
For more info visit: CAJ Submission Guidelines.