Will Gadd
Will Gadd strapped on crampons for the first time at age eight. He did his first major ski traverse when he was 12. He started kayaking at 14; too young to drive, he would call every paddler in Jasper until someone would tire of the calls and take him to the river. Yes, he's obsessive.
More than 30 years later, Gadd continues to chase mountain sports with the same enthusiasm. He has won three X Games ice-climbing gold medals, the World Cup for ice climbing, set the world paragliding distance record (twice), won the US and Canadian Paragliding Nationals and put up the hardest mixed and ice routes in the world for more than 15 years. He has also written a best-selling ice climbing book and generally had a lot of fun while re-defining several different sports.
He shares his adventures through his regular Explore magazine column, TV shows (more than 100), presentations and as a coach and guide. His motto is, "Move."
Recent Posts
Confidence is built on a bedrock of competence.
What can we learn from life in a mountain town?
Listen. Learn. Support. And above all—don’t be a troll.
What happens when a Rocky Mountain climber takes his family on a coastal hike?
What do atheist climbers say when they fall?
When supporting your community is paramount—you show up.
I’ve always found it ironic that the big outdoor industry trade shows are held in...
Moving confidently in the mountains is a beautiful skill, but it doesn’t come naturally to...
TO MY DEAR MOUNTAIN GUESTS...
Will Gadd pens an open letter about some hard mountain truths...
There was always something odd about “Jesse James;” but initially not odd enough to explain...
Will Gadd thinks we all need to return to our animal roots. Do you agree?
What compels us to risk everything in pursuit of our passions? Will Gadd delves deep...