I'm so excited to be living in Vancouver, and checking out all the potential for outdoor adventures in the area. It has been almost a year since I've been in Squamish, and I was super excited to head back up there and shoot some sport climbing at Fern Hill. Good people, good area, and in the shade for a good part of the day. Squamish sport climbing seems to be an untapped gem, although perhaps also oxymoronic to some, and the people developing new areas talk about them with genuine enthusiasm.

Anyway, here are some photos from Fern Hill. Squamish local Peter Winter at home at Fern Hill, on Burning the Coil 12d (or harder depending on who you ask).

And Dale Sood developing a new route at the same crag amidst a cloud of lichen dust.

(Click on the photo to enlarge.)

See you in Squamish this summer!

Kam

Tags: climbing, dale soond, fern hill, peter winter, photography, sport, squamish.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan is an uber talented musician from Montreal, whose I recently got to hear live at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) in Toronto. Why at MEC? Well, he's on a cross-Canada tour promoting his latest album, Solidago, of which 1% of sales go to environmental initiatives, but also this: his partnership with One Per Cent for the Planet, his partnership with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and for years, MEC has been a partner in both those organizations as well.

Anyways, I got to to listen to his hour-or-so-long set, and I must say it was excellent. I was there to some some images of Chris for the promotion of his last part of the tour, and I hope it's great, because the music is definitely awesome. A rootsy, folky, touches of reggae, bounce your head, tap your foot type of music, with layered acoustic loops created by Chris right in front of you with the use of his guitar and voice. Awesome stuff. Reminded me of Andrew Bird a little bit, although a bit more upbeat, I guess.

Please check out the links, and at least become educated about the following environmental causes:

1% For The Planet http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society http://www.cpaws.org/

And of course check out Chris Velan on his website http://chrisvelan.com/ and his music on iTunes.

Ok enough, I know you came here for the photos. For the photo geeks (like myself) lenses used: 85 f1.8, 50 f1.8, 17-35 f2.8, 70-200 f4 -all Nikon. I'll let the uber geeks guess the body. Store lighting isn't always the most flattering or easiest to deal with when large hot spots appear on the subjects face as the sun crests a window. With a little post work, all looks good. (to me at least) What do you think? Enjoy! Peace.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Chris Velan performs at MEC in Toronto in support of 1% for the Planet. Photo by Kamil Bialous.

Tags: 1% for the Planet, Chris Velan, concert, cpaws, in-store, live, MEC, mountain Equipment Co-op, photography, solidago, The Big Wild, toronto.

My current favourite Canadian band, Cuff The Duke, played a concert Lee's Palace in Toronto about a month ago, and I got a chance to shoot the show for the band. Shortly after, or more likely shortly before this show, they were nominated for a Juno - Canadian equivalent of a Grammy, except significantly more badass, although less glamorous and the millions don't immediately start pouring in.

All the best to these guys, I really dig their music. Check them out live, they are really talented, and put on an awesome show. Enjoy the images! http://www.cufftheduke.ca

Wayne Petti from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Corey Wood from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Dale Murray from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Paul Lowman from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Wayne Petti from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Wayne Petti and Dale Murray from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Wayne Petti from Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Cuff the Duke. Lee's Palace, Toronto. March 28, 2010.

Peace!

Kamil Bialous

Tags: alt-country, band, canadian, concert, corey wood, cuff the duke, juno, lee's palace, live, nominee, photo of, photography, rock, toronto, toronto concert photographer, wayne petti.

Some early season spring bouldering images for y'all before the Niagara Glen limestone gets nice and sweaty like yo' mama's back. Get at it while the friction is good. Thanks to the boys and girls for throwing down on this day. It was fun!

Climber Dale Sood bouldering at the Niagara Glen, Ontario. Photographer Kamil Bialous.

Climber Dale Sood bouldering at the Niagara Glen, Ontario. Photographer Kamil Bialous.

Climber Paul Serianni bouldering at the Niagara Glen, Ontario. Photographer Kamil Bialous.

Photographer Kamil Bialous.

Climber Guido Vettoretti bouldering at the Niagara Glen, Ontario. Photographer Kamil Bialous.

Talk Soon,

Kamil Bialous

Tags: black diamond, bouldering, climbing, glen, images of black diamond pads, niagara, ontario, ontario outdoors photography, organic, organic bouldering pads, patagonia, photography, prana, spring.