Ross Watson

Ross Watson: Profile

In 2000, Ross fulfilled a lifelong dream by organizing and taking part in an expedition to be the first blind climber to summit Canada’s highest mountain, 19,640 foot Mount Logan in Canada’s Yukon. On May 25, 2000 after 19 days of 60-kilometer winds and -35ºC temperatures, Ross and his three teammates reached the West Summit of Mount Logan.

In addition to these climbing exploits:

• Ross represented Canada in the Para Olympics in the 15 and 30 kilometer Nordic events in 1988.
• From 1994 to 2001 Ross was a member of a panel that reviewed Alberta’s Human Rights Commission and related legislation and supported 54 changes to Alberta’s Human Rights Act.
• Ross has served three terms as a municipal councilor, receiving the highest percentage of the popular vote in two of his election campaigns.
• In 2002, Ross was appointed Operation Eyesight Universal’s (O.E.U.) Canadian Ambassador of Vision.
• July 2005, Ross did a traverse of the central mountain range on Baffin Island in the Canadian Artic.
• Ross has been a manager for twenty five years in Alberta’s mountain parks.
• Ross has been the recipient of many awards including the Canadian ‘Golden Jubilee Medal and the ‘Alberta Centennial Medal’.
• Starting in August 2008 Ross begins his Ten Mountain Series. Over the next two years he plans to climb the highest 10 peaks in the Canadian Rockies. He will start with the highest of these peaks, Mount Robson.

Ross is a dynamic speaker, who has made numerous radio and television appearances from the Canadian Artic to New York State. He has spoken to large corporate groups, focused professional development sessions and universities. Ross leaves his audiences motivated and inspired to believe in themselves, take risks, and achieve their own personal Summits of Success.