Following years of competitive and organized sport, Ian eventually found a passion for mountain biking. His thirst for seeking the rhythm of a line under his tires, later fostered the same ability while mountain running. As a multi-faceted athlete, adventure racing soon followed, where Ian began to see climbers roped up on rock faces beneath the very ridges he was running. As injury won out over competition, Ian began looking for a pursuit that would still allow physical challenge alongside mental endurance.

Ensuing a few years traveling abroad and a couple close calls at higher altitudes, Ian eventually returned to the West, where he felt a responsibility to further educate himself in the mountains. He spent the next few seasons, immersing himself in the world of climbing. A first trip out to the Canadian Rockies for some winter climbing, followed by a season of powder skiing and climbing throughout the Japanese Alps, had him yearning for a place where mountains and ocean coexist. A motorcycle trip up North America’s west coast finally landed Ian in Squamish, beneath its beckoning granite monolith.

With a background in engineering and a diverse tool-set of building gear from the ground up, through to teaching, managing adventure companies and working on remote sites, Ian found a streamlined path into the outdoor market. His experience as an end user in industry through to guiding on rock, dirt, snow and water, coupled with a thirst for knowledge sparked an interest to create another startup. CMC began its journey when multiple brands were brought under one roof and continues to expand with a focus on its team of dedicated athletes and industry experts. Ian is inspired by creating an atmosphere that allows for perspective and creates a lasting desire in others to get out there.

“We pursue activities that entail risk” as they “require soul and invite reflection.” – Yvon Chouinard