“Hi, I’m Aric Fishman! I’ve been on this beautiful journey of life since 1986, addicted to climbing for 20+ years, and now living in Thunder Bay, Ontario since 2007. I’m passionate about sharing the limitless life changing benefits of climbing to anyone and everyone! It’s all about teaching safe practices on rock and ice; developing the community through events, projects and stewardship initiatives; exploring the world from higher perspectives; forming deep connections with people; sharing memorable experiences with friends; tapping some of the potential new routing and making them accessible to others; and have a fun doing it all!”
When I was a young teenager I got introduced to the amazing world of rock climbing when a portable wall company came to my high school and set up a climbing area for a day in the gymnasium…I spent the entire day on that thing and very quickly fell in love. I started spending all of my free time going to the climbing gym with my older brother and his climbing friends. It wasn’t too long after that I was taken outdoor climbing and my world was forever changed – I knew right away that I was an outdoor climber at heart and became absolutely hooked for life! Coupled with my desire to really learn, practice, and climb as much as possible, having a super solid crew of climbers also enabled me to advance quickly early on and better understand the technical systems; concepts; techniques; and safe practices.
Starting in the early 2000’s I’ve spent a substantial amount of time climbing throughout the province of Ontario, as well as the province of Alberta & British Columbia, the state of Kentucky, West Virginia, New York, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, California, Utah, South Dakota, Wyoming, Tennessee, as well as in Mexico, Greece and Israel. On average I spend over 250 days/year climbing my heart out & instructing as a certified guide, while documenting & sharing it all along the way.
Founder of Outdoor Skills And Thrills – Guided adventures and courses around Northwestern Ontario.
Author of ‘Thunder Bay Climbing: A Guide to Northwest Ontario’s Best Kept Secret, the latest comprehensive rock climbing guidebook for the region.
President of the Nipigon Ice Fest, Canada’s longest running premiere ice climbing festival.
Fully Certified by the Professional Climbing Guides Institute, & SIRIUS Wilderness Medicine.
Sponsored by Flashed as a professional climbing athlete & developer.
Avid photographer, film maker & author
Creator of Summit Gear – Handcrafted mega durable Dog leashes and Tug Toys made from upcycled climbing equipment.
I grew up in southern Ontario – at a young age trained and worked as a Wilderness survival instructor & Canoe tripping guide 1999-2004. Fell in love with climbing immediately upon being introduced to it in high-school. Worked as the manager at 4 different indoor climbing facilities between 2000-2013. Moved to Thunder Bay in 2007 for University – as a climber and adventurer I instantly fell in love with the region. Graduated in 2012 from Lakehead University, Majored (with honours) with a degree in Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism, as well as a degree in Sociology. Since the early 2000’s, I have spent a substantial amount of time climbing throughout the province of Ontario, as well as the province of Alberta & British Columbia, the state of Kentucky, West Virginia, New York, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, California, Utah, Tennessee, as well as in Mexico, Israel & Greece.
Spending over 20 years developing my skills as a climber, instructor, and professional guide, I’m proud to say I have over 200 notable F.A. & F.F.A’s (first ascent & first free ascents) under my belt and continue to develop new climbs every year. Through my efforts with Outdoor Skills And Thrills, I’ve had the opportunity to open the market for rock and ice climbing guiding in Thunder Bay; stir up the climbing community in Northwest Ontario; & helped put the spotlight on Thunder Bay climbing internationally.
I am also the author of ‘Thunder Bay Climbing: A Guide to Northwest Ontario’s Best Kept Secret‘.
My book was voted as the #1 Book in The Walleye’s ‘Best of Thunder Bay – 2016’ reader’s survey, and rated 5 out of 5 stars by: Gripped Canada’s Climbing Magazine, OntarioClimbing.com, The Walleye, and on MEC.ca.
Photos, articles, videos, listings, news reports, and interviews by: Gripped Climbing Magazine; Explore Magazine; CBC News; National Geographic Heart of the Continent; The Walleye Art’s & Culture Magazine; The Chronicle Journal; Visit Thunder Bay; Ontario Travel; Northern Ontario Travel; Porter Airlines; Thunder Bay Experience Magazine; Mountain Equipment Co-Op; Lake Superior Circle Tour; Summer Fun Guide; TBay with Kids; The WeatherChannel; Ontario Trails; Tourism Excellence North; Television-Francais Ontario (TFO); DINE Magazine; Alpine Club of Canada; Northern Ontario Business; TBay News Watch; BillyYTZ; Bearskin Airlines; CBC Radio; Sail Superior; Belgium Video Productions; Wolfhead Coffee; Animikee Tours; The Wilderness Supply;
Proud to work together with local & regional businesses and organizations like: Thunder Bay Tourism, Roots to Harvest, Thunder Bay’s Youth Move, Salvation Army, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Manitouwadge Hospital, EasterSeals, Thunder Bay Ultimate Frisbee, George Jeffrey Children’s Center, SHIFT, Thunder Bay’s Young Professional’s Network; Live from the Rock, Lakehead University, The Wilderness Supply, Fresh Air, Gear up for Outdoor, Chapters/Indigo, OntarioClimbing, Vertical Endeavors, Epica Pictures, Costal Productions, and many others.
Have had the honour to create, develop and successfully execute technical training programs for the Canadian Forces Department of National Defence on multiple occasions.