Winnipeg climber scales life challenges — and ice tower
Sara Calnek | CBC News | Posted: February 23, 2015 5:49 PM | Last Updated: February 23, 2015
If 60-year-old Adrien Perras could predict the future, he wouldn't have pictured himself climbing an ice tower in –25 C weather, especially after having a kidney transplant when he was 20.
He's overcome the transplant, now he beats the ice tower three times a week.
"I figured, 'give me five, seven years, please.' It was sobering, lets put it that way," he said, reflecting back on when he had the transplant. "To be here 40 years later, god, what a deal. I can't believe I got up again this morning and life is beautiful."
When he had unexplained kidney failure, followed by the transplant, it slowed him down a bit at the time but didn't stop him.
Perras was active for most of his life but didn't discover climbing until he was 48, when he joined the Alpine Club at age 50, where he found many others who loved to climb.
André Mahé, chair of the Alpine Club, said asking a climber why they do it is a tough question to answer.
"There's something special about progressing on rock or on ice or on an ice field — a sense of accomplishment and most people find it exhilarating and a challenge," Mahé said.
I can't believe I got up again this morning and life is beautiful. - Adrien Perras
Perras has an easy explanation why he loves it: "Nobody ever says, 'boy you're lousy at this.' They just go 'try this, try that', then when you're done, they go 'good try.' I love this, it's marvelous. This is my passion [and] these people are some of my best friends."
Perras' story has an unexpected positive effect on those around him.
"I think it inspires people to do things that are out of the ordinary, even though you might have some setbacks sometimes or limitations," Mahé said. "It's a matter of taking up the challenge and you might succeed."
But Perras said he tries not to think of where he should be after a transplant. He chooses to focus on where he is.
"You can't let that overcome you because it will just paralyze you. You'll think, 'I shouldn't be doing this.' No, just do it, think about it, enjoy it, be in the moment, and let life go," he said.
No matter what, ice climbing is something that everyone should try, Perras insisted.
"You have to try it. You have to listen to some experts on it. This is not that difficult, it's 90 per cent technique," he said. "Anybody can do this."
The ice structure at 141 Messager Street in St. Boniface is open to the public daily on weekends.