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The Aha Moment: Adventure Writing With Andrew Findlay

“As long as I’m coming from a place of initial interest with an adventure, a culture or a place, inevitably something happens that helps coalesce the story: a new character or some strange event. By the time I get back and write it up, I have that nugget of experience in my mind and I can wrap a story around it.”

Many people romanticise the notion of being a travel writer—visiting exotic destinations, soaking in beautiful landscapes and dreaming up whimsical ideas to write about—in reality it’s quite challenging and few possess the follow through to make an honest career of it.

Findlay has been immersed in travel/adventure writing since before the internet took hold and has developed a knack for discovering key elements that will bring a story to life.

Andrew Findlay just above Kalalau beach on the Kalalau Trail, Kaua’i. Image: Steve Ogle

Beginning With Forestry and Ski-Bumming

His experiences as a young person informed his career as a journalist and his proclivity for tales of adventure and travel. He grew up in Kamloops and, after studying business at Simon Fraser, he spent 15 years working in forestry during the summers and ski-bumming through the winters.

Today, when he’s on an assignment, he’s not only participating in the trip—be it climbing Mt. Waddington or biking in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Guatemala—but also looking for a moment of clarity, revealing how the story will unfold. He explains that this practice is a way inside a destination or experience.

Ski touring in Norway

Not-So Fairweather

While tent-bound for 12 stormy days during a climb on Mt. Fairweather in 2012, Findlay experienced a quintessential light bulb moment. He was on assignment for BC Magazine, and being trapped inside the tent was beginning to take a psychological toll.

“I thought how am I going to spin this into a story? We haven’t been able to do anything. It was getting to the point where I was losing faith in the whole objective and I was conjuring up irrational plans to escape solo, just to get out of there,” says Findlay with a chuckle.

“We were lying in the tent at 3,000 metres in minus 35, blowing-sideways snow and we hear this incongruous sound from the environment. At first, we thought we were having some sort of hallucination, but sure enough, we heard the sound of a bird chirping.”

The climbers opened the door of the tent and found a Hermit Thrush, a bird that resides in the rainforest. The only plausible explanation is that it was caught in the jet stream and it dropped onto the glacier, thousands of kilometres away.

“I’m like ‘yes this is awesome!’ It sounds almost cliché to talk about it, but It was this metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and how vulnerable we can be,” says Findlay.

Biking Keystone Standard trail in the Selkirk Mountains

A Mouth Full of Gold and a Ten-Gallon Hat

Riding on the first mountain bike traverse of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes in Guatemala,  Findlay rolls up to a person that he knows is going make the story.

“We came around a corner and there was this dude standing with a donkey. He had this great ten-gallon hat on—a colourful-looking character—and he opened his mouth with a big smile and his whole mouth was full of gold teeth.”

“There were no other people around, just this dude in the middle of nowhere. I knew right then that he was going to be the guy who started my story. He had probably more money in his mouth than he would ever make in his life,” says Findlay.

It’s these types of Aha moments Findlay keeps an eye out for while he’s on an assignment for a magazine. They don’t always come as easily as rolling up on a chap with a mouth full of gold teeth in a region with several environmentally and socially controversial gold mines. But in this case, Findlay saw immediately how the character illustrated the story he was there to capture.

 

Climbing Volcan Antisana in Ecuador

Finding the Flow

“They’re not always gift-wrapped the way I’ve described these stories. I do struggle sometimes. I go to a place and I come back and I’m sifting through the whole experience and I’m trying to find that moment or that one encounter that really summarizes and focuses an idea,” explains Findlay.

But once the idea gels, Findlay finds little resistance in getting the story down.

“People talk about being in the zone when you are on the mountain while you are skiing or whatever your sport. I feel the same way in writing. When I’m in that zone, the words kind of flow without a lot of effort. That’s when I enjoy writing the most is when the story almost writes itself. You’re just a conduit for the narrative.”

Posted in: FIELD TRIPS, PROFILES Tagged: adventure, Biking, Mexico, Mt. Fairweather, Skiing, writing

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Client Reviews

I highly recommend working with Alex both as a colleague and as a client

I have had the pleasure of working with Alex over the last couple of years in several different transactions, including one as a colisting partner, which gave me the privilege of seeing both how he works behind the scenes and on the front lines. Alex is an extremely hard worker, he gives every task his

Sophie Squamish June 17, 2018

I would never make a future real estate decision without Scott’s involvement.

Scott gives invaluable real estate advice. Both of his recommendations were spot on. We purchased in the ideal location and at the ideal time. I completely trust his instincts — I would never make a future real estate decision without his involvement.

Laura L Squamish homes August 10, 2018

I trust Scott’s experience!

I trust Scott's experience with Squamish real estate to help me make good investment decisions!

Timothy L. Squamish homes August 10, 2018

I completely endorse Scott

I met Scott by chance and he surpassed my expectations of what a realtor is all about and could do for me. Scott took the time to listen and truly understand what I was looking for. He has extensive knowledge of the Squamish area.

Christine M Squamish homes August 10, 2018

Kind, Caring and Knowledgeable

What a complete pleasure it is to work with Scott ! After being here for 6 months it is better than we could have imagined. I couldn’t recommend Scott more, both personally and professionally and some one we will be delighted to work with in the near future.

Jessica W. Squamish homes August 10, 2018

Alex knows Squamish!

As an Ontario resident moving to Squamish, British Columbia, I was very happy with the service provided by Alex Vark. He, personally, took the time to drive us around the area to familiarize us with the town and various neighbourhoods. His knowledge and patience were most helpful. I recommend Alex as your Squamish Realtor!!

Corinne B Squamish homes January 10, 2019

Positive: Professionalism, Responsiveness

We worked with Alex to purchase a home in Squamish last fall. Alex was amazing. We felt like we were his only clients, and we felt like the purchase of the right home was as important to him as it was for us. Whenever we had a question, Alex was always quick to respond! He

Matt Sprunt Squamish Duplex August 1, 2019

“could not have been a more positive experience for us”

Working with Alex could not have been a more positive experience for us. Alex knew exactly what we were looking for and didn’t waste any time finding us the perfect home. Alex is professional, transparent, and clearly very experienced in the world of real estate. We felt like we were working with a friend rather

Lauren McGill & Max Barron Squamish November 17, 2019

We were very proud to have Alex represent us

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️We were incredibly pleased with Alex's efforts in helping us find a home suitable to our needs. Our experience with Alex was far more desirable than with our previous realtor, who was foreign to Squamish. He provided us with many options, and was very detailed in his analyses of homes that we showed interest in.

Jess and Matt Squamish Townhome April 24, 2020

Dan Patching – Mortgage Broker

I just finished working alongside Alex as he helped my clients sell their condo in Squamish and buy a beautiful townhouse. Not only did he get them an amazing price for both, he also was extremely professional and quick to respond when questions were asked. It was a pleasure working alongside him, and anyone considering

Dan Squamish September 17, 2020

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MacDonald Realty - Squamish

Scott McQuade

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Scott’s Phone: 604-815-1985
Scott’s Email: scott@squamish.com
Alex’s Phone: 604-848-4997
Alex’s Email: alex@squamish.com

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