Paying Tribute to the Life of Larry Shiu

It is with deep sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear friend, Larry Shiu, following a climbing-related accident in Taiwan. Larry was a vital community member - things will not be the same without his big energy and signature tongue-in-cheek humour.

Originally from Taiwan, Larry started rock climbing and exploring the mountains in 2000 with the mountaineering club at National Taipei University. In 2007, he traveled to Canada and took Yamnuska’s semester program, which he followed up with a two-year Adventure Guide Diploma through TRU. Many lifelong friendships were made there and these programs helped establish his solid mountain foundation that opened his eyes to the reality of guiding and one day becoming a fully-certified mountain guide. At the time of passing, Larry was a full Alpine and Apprentice Ski Guide (one exam away from his mountain guide).

Larry’s reputation at home has grown over the years thanks to the articles he published in the outdoor magazine Outside in Taiwan. He introduced ice climbing in the Canadian Rockies to outdoor enthusiasts and penned articles about modern rope techniques he learned in Canada. He regularly engaged with his followers on social media and boosted his following with speaking engagements when visiting Taiwan. Larry was the 1st Taiwanese national to be ACMG certified Alpine guide.

With his certificates, he started his own business, making the Canadian Rockies more accessible and inclusive to mandarin-speaking guests. One of his long-term visions was to encourage more Taiwanese climbers to explore technical alpine climbing and to host them in the Canadian Rockies. News of his sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the outdoor community in Taiwan.

Larry loved taking every moment to travel the world and explore new climbing and skiing destinations with his friends, family, and guests. Larry was incredibly driven and seemed to possess boundless energy. He was one of those guys that even after six straight days of guiding, wanted to get out for a seventh on his day off. He was known as a kind-hearted soul who was easygoing, very generous with his time, always lending a helping hand, offering up a couch to sleep on, or giving a much-needed hug. He had a beaming smile, was a renowned ice climber, and was the poster boy for the 42nd annual Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.

Outside the mountains, Larry had a love of food and was the LEAST gluten-free person you would ever meet. He baked sourdough like there was no tomorrow, perfected his croissant recipe, and racked up his electricity bills with the oven always on at the beginning of the pandemic. He was obsessed with authentic-style carbonara (no cream, just eggs!), and could eat an unlimited quantity of pastry.

Larry is survived by his son, Leo, who turns 8 years old in November, and his partner Inka. Pursuing his mountain guide dream took him away from his family for extended periods, but he wholeheartedly enjoyed his responsibilities as a father when he was at home. Despite only being 7 years old, Leo is a strong backcountry and resort skier and has spent many days climbing rock and ice with his dad. He is also decked out in all the best Patagonia gear, and Larry fondly referred to him as his “Patakid”. Larry strongly believed in giving his son opportunities to experience the outdoors in a way that would instill a lifelong love of being outside. For anyone who sees what Leo is already capable of, we know that Larry was successful in this mission.

As Larry grew, he worked hard and collaborated with his good friends to own a beautiful home in Canmore – no easy feat; just ask anyone who lives there. He was a provider, a loving father, a steadfast partner, a caring son, an unconditional friend, a top-notch guide, a mentor, a climbing partner, a traveller, and a boundless adventurer. Words cannot describe how much we will miss him.

We are fundraising for Larry’s family due to the costs associated with memorial and funeral services. Any additional fundraising will go to Inka and Leo, as we want to help them get their feet back on the ground after such a tragic loss. We invite you to share in supporting the loved ones of our dear friend.

懷著深深的悲痛與我們親愛的朋友徐耀群告別，耀群在台灣於一起攀岩事故中離開了這個世界。耀群是這個社群重要的一員，沒有他精力充沛和別具風格的幽默，這個世界已然不一樣。

耀群來自台灣，2000年加入台北大學登山社，接觸攀岩且開始探索台灣的山脈與溪流。他於2007年前往加拿大參加 Yamnuska 為期三個月的登山課程，隨後他完成了Thompson Rivers University為期兩年的探險嚮導文憑，在這兩所大學裡他結交了多位終生摯友。這些經歷幫助他建立了堅實的技術基礎，踏上成為國際登山嚮導了旅程。如今他已是著名的攀冰者，更是第 42 屆班夫山地電影和圖書節的海報主角。耀群是華人圈內第一位 ACMG 的 Alpine嚮導和實習滑雪嚮導（距離他的國際登山嚮導夢只剩最後一次考試）。

憑藉他這幾年來的經歷與工作經驗，他開始了自己的事業，讓說中文的客人更容易學習並體驗在加拿大落基山脈的攀登。他其中一個願景是鼓勵更多台灣登山者探索高山技術攀登，藉由和北大野聲山岳協會合作，於2022年夏天有了第一屆種子計畫，原本他滿心期待向更多年輕的戶外愛好者介紹他心愛的山區，他突然的離世在台灣的戶外界引起了不小的震撼。

耀群喜歡與他的家人、朋友或客人一起旅遊、登山、攀岩和滑雪。耀群充滿活力，似乎擁有無限的能量，他是那種即使連續 6 天的工作，也想在第 7 天放假時找人出去攀岩/滑雪的人。他心地善良、隨和，總是提供客廳沙發給朋友過夜，對朋友伸出必要的援手，或者給予支持的擁抱。無法用言語形容我們會有多麼想念他。

在山下，耀群熱愛食物，一直嚷嚷著要減肥，但每每又帶著超大盒的甜點回家；在封城期間，除了基礎的歐式麵包，他目標堅定地追求完美的可頌食譜，從用料到手法一點都不馬虎，那陣子電費高漲都是因為烤箱幾乎沒停過。他尤其痴迷於正宗的carbonara（沒有奶油，只有雞蛋！），千萬別在他面前亂煮義大利麵！

耀群留下他的兒子，好威（Leo），他將在今年 11 月滿 8 歲，還有孩子的母親 Inka。追尋登山嚮導的夢想讓他花費很多時間在山裡，但在家時，他盡力且享受當一位父親的責任。儘管好威不到 8 歲，但他滑雪技巧已經非常厲害，在雪場的蘑菇地形可以把他爸遠遠甩在後頭，雙黑線也難不倒他；好威也享受跟他爸一起騎車、越野跑、攀岩和攀冰的時光。耀群讓好威嘗試各種活動，希望從而培養他對戶外活動的終生熱愛。看著好威的活力，我們都知道耀群在這項任務中取得相當的成果。

注：因為耀群希望被稱作「好威爸爸」，因而命名兒子為好威。

由於與追悼會和葬禮相關的費用，我們正在為耀群的家人募款。 任何額外款項的都將交給 Inka 和 Leo，因為我們希望幫助他們在遭受如此悲傷的損失後重新站起來。我們邀請您一同支持耀群的家人。

＊＊台灣的朋友請直接捐款給北大OB籌劃的募款，謝謝大家的幫忙。