The Nugget Climbing Podcast EP 298: Sonnie Trotter — Gunning for 5.15, How He Trained as a Teen, and Stamina vs. Strength
Apr 27, 2026
Sonnie Trotter, Canadian pro climber and author of Uplifted, reflects on big objectives and iconic routes like Cobra Crack. He recounts training as a teen, seasonal routines and family life. Conversations cover stamina versus strength, evolving climbing standards, and what makes climbers like Dave Graham so relentless.
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Choose A Home That Matches Your Climbing Seasons
- Prioritize local seasons and lifestyle when planning a climbing life.
- Sonnie chose Canmore/Canmore-Bow Valley for mountain access, family life, and repeatable seasonal cycles instead of constant travel.
The Short Window To Spark A Climbing Obsession
- Sonnie views the pre-14 teenage years as a short, crucial window for intense practice.
- He recounts climbing six days a week at 16, barely home for dinner, and how parents should use the under-14 years intentionally.
A Climbing Career Is Continuous Reinvention
- Change is the constant in a climbing career; you build on skills and pivot rather than starting over.
- Sonnie cites Yvon Chouinard's uncertainty and describes evolving from dirtbag years to reinvention via storytelling, routes, and community.
