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Squamish

Outdoor rock climbing Squamish
Photo submitted by Jonathon Kresner

THIS IS THE BASIC GUIDE FOR THE WHOLE AREA FOR MORE INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL AREAS PLEASE CHECK OUT THE CRAGS BELOW (they have topos, descriptions etc.)

A special thanks to the www.squamishclimbing.com for all of the info!!

Guidebooks

* Three guides are currently available for the Squamish area, all with their own distinct purposes. If looking to do a mix of classic routes (sport and trad) plus wanting integrate some bouldering, definitely get the Squamish Select by Marc Bourdon. If wanting to stay right in Squamish itself and climb mostly around The Chief, buy The Climber’s Guide to Squamish by Kevin McClane. If strictly bouldering, buy Squamish Bouldering by Marc Bourdon and Scott Tasaka. I happened to have both The Squamish Select and The Climber’s Guide to Squamish. Shaft and I were doing a mix of climbs, and though it was helpful to have both, I really only needed the Squamish Select for the routes we wanted to do and the length of our stay (2 weeks). Yet, I must mention that The Climber’s Guide to Squamish included a great history of the area and the Chief.

Camping

* Chief Campground - most popular campground for climbers. Cost is $10 a site for drive in sites, which can be shared with up to 4 people, and I believe free for the walk-in sites. It is good to note that the campground gate is shut from 11pm to 7am. Also, it was really helpful to have a tarp and some cord to shelter items from the rain.
* The Sound - there is free camping if you want to camp out of bounds. However, run-ins with giant sea creatures can become a reality.

Food / Drink

* Howe Sound Brew Pub - great food, especially pizza. They have great daily specials that the server never seems to mention, so remember to ask.
* Mountain Burger House - great hamburgers, great price.
* Eagle’s Nest - this restaurant is a little out of the way, but is a great place for a nicer dinner if getting tired of bar food or camp pasta.
* Sunflower Bakery - the usual bakery. Nice change from the usual oatmeal for breakfast.
* Alcoholic Beverages - Note that it is VERY expensive to buy alcoholic beverages, especially beer, in Squamish. Customs allows one case of beer and 1500ml of wine to cross the border. It is very wise to bring this in with you.

Personal Hygiene

* Showers - The Recreation Centre is the best place for showers. Cheap, fairly clean, plus includes a hot tub, pool and steam room if wanted.
* Laundromat - The laundromat is a little tricky to find as it is nestled in a shopping center.

Other

* Gasoline - Fuel is also very pricey in Canada, so once again fill up prior to crossing the border.
* Internet - The adventure center offers free wifi if you have a laptop. If not, there is an Internet Cafe on the main street.
* Currency - We had zero problems with currency and/or the dollar being accepted. However, few places take the American Express card.
* Theft - Theft was surprisingly a problem in Squamish, even at the Howe Sound. When climbing at the Smoke Bluffs, park a little south at the Adventure Center rather than the designated parking spot as your vehicle will be safer.

Thanks Cragbaby for the info
www.cragbaby.com

Info

Crags:   Cat Lake     Cheakamus     Fern Hill     Murrin Park     Rogues Gallery     Sanctuary     Smoke Bluffs     The Chief    
Squamish mountain climbing
Photo submitted by Tourism Squamish
Squamish rock climbing at mountaineering
Photo submitted by Tourism Squamish
Directions

Situated half way between BC's metropolitan hub of Vancouver, and the world-class ski resort of Whistler, Squamish is easy to get to with lots of transportation options.

Squamish's famous sticky granite surrounds the town - from the Stawamus Chief, second largest granite monolith in the world, to countless legendary boulders, you literally have 360 degrees of climbing nirvana.

Drive Times & Distances:

From Whistler – 60km, 45 minutes
From Vancouver Airport – 81km, 1 hour 15 minutes
From Seattle – 295km, 3 hours 45 minutes

http://www.tourismsquamish.com/how-get-here

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Climbing activity

=> Subscribe to activity @ Squamish

  • Varoit Peggy
    Varoit Peggy 8 days ago
    climbing Wed 03 Mar @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Varoit Peggy

    I am new in Vancouver, 31 female from France and intermediate level 5.9 I think. I would enjoy climbing outdoor (Squamish ?) but I am looking for a cool and patient partner !

    Brittany
    Brittany - id be stoked to climb with you, have u done much on ropes?
    Varoit Peggy
    Varoit Peggy - Hi Brittany ! I am used to climb indoor and outdoor as well but a long time ago ! I must start slowly and see how I feel in second... I have brought my harness and climbing shoes but no rope and quickdraws. And no big wall at the beginning...
    Eduardo Freitas de Almeida
    Eduardo Freitas de Almeida - Im New in Vancouver too, its my 3 week here. I'm looking for partners and places to climbing.

  • Cecilia Vazquez
    Cecilia Vazquez 18 days ago
    climbing Mon 22 Feb @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Cecilia Vazquez

    Female, 21 years old, Vancouver

    Chris Flory
    Chris Flory - Hey Cecilia! What kind of climbing are you into? Down in Vancouver and indoors right now, but once the weather gets nice I'll be trying to get up to Squamish at least 2-3 weekends per month.
    Brittany
    Brittany - Hey girl, definitely up for some climbing in Squamish! Looking for girl partners for spring :)
    Eduardo Freitas de Almeida
    Eduardo Freitas de Almeida - Im new in Vancouver, its my 3 week here. I looking for partners and places to climbing.

  • richard davis
    richard davis 19 days ago
    climbing Sat 20 Feb @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg richard davis

    Can lead up to easy 11s. Would like to climb on weekends


  • Scott Howard Brydle
    Scott Howard Brydle 32 days ago
    climbing Mon 08 Feb @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Scott Howard Brydle

    Advanced-beginner in rock climbing, generally a 10a leader for most routes. I'm down to climb anywhere any time i can and i will climb anything, eager for new experiences. REALLY want to learn ice climbing if anyone out there wants a dedicated student.


  • Brittany
    Brittany 63 days ago
    climbing Thu 01 Apr @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Brittany

    Looking for bouldering partners in Squamish for April, i'm finishing up college and heading out west for a few months to live out of my car, stoked to get climbing!

    Any fellow girl climbers out there interested in possibly planning a trip?

    Chris Flory
    Chris Flory - Always happy to get out for trad, sport or bouldering! Have a safe trip out this way and let me know if you need a partner. Can usually free up any day of the week. -Chris
    mariana
    mariana - if you both would like to climb sports or trad lemme know n i'll be happy to go w/you i climb in cliffhangers coq so if you also want to meet up there send me a msg. ciao
    mariana
    mariana - oh bouldering too

  • Jon Wytrwal
    Jon Wytrwal 105 days ago
    climbing Fri 27 Nov @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Jon Wytrwal

    _


  • Jase Wilson
    Jase Wilson 147 days ago
    climbing Thu 15 Oct @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Jase Wilson

    Hello,

    Looking for climbing partners in Squamish, I have a decent rack 11 cams full set of nuts and hex.
    I am not very good, 5.9/10a is about as hard as I can lead on trad, I feel comfy on 5.11 sport, bouldering is my weak point V3 projects.


  • Caleb
    Caleb 156 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish, Bugs, Skaha
    Reply

    Looking for people who will boulder.trad.sport.

    i love big wall , multi pitch, alpine,

    intensely hard to find aspiring alpinists

    will always be down to do aesthetic lines..

    I am a christian and love enjoying His world...


  • Sarah Dombrose
    Sarah Dombrose 160 days ago
    climbing Sat 03 Oct @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Sarah Dombrose

    I just moved to the North Shore from North Carolina. I used to climb outdoors in NC a lot and really miss it! I can lead 9's...but would be happy just cleaning too! I will end up going to the gym eventually, but outdoors is where I really want to be!!

    mariana
    mariana - hi give me a call if you want to play tomorrow sat in the afternoonish...say....10 11amish...604 518 0146 cell u okay w/slab climbing?
    Caleb
    Caleb - i am free to climb thurs/fri/sat if interested. c. ng_caleb at hotmail.com

  • Frederico silva
    Frederico silva 160 days ago
    climbing Sat 03 Oct @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Frederico silva

    Hi! Tomorrow anyone wants to go Bouldering to the North wall Boulders?
    Its me and my girlfriend we don't have pads or car.
    We are in Vancouver if anyone wants to split gas cost?

    Cheers

    Fred


  • Frederico silva
    Frederico silva 162 days ago
    climbing Wed 30 Sep @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Frederico silva

    Try out this website as Squamish is a Windsurf spot windguru gives detailed info on weather forecast http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=3612&switchlang=1


  • Antonio M
    Antonio M 164 days ago
    climbing Tue 29 Sep @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Antonio M

    I like trad


  • mariana
    mariana 164 days ago
    climbing Mon 28 Sep @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg mariana

    trad or sports climbing


  • Karin
    Karin 168 days ago
    climbing Sun 27 Sep @ Squamish
    Comment/Reply - Msg Karin

    Looking to climb this Sunday with someone who has gear and can lead. I'd be interested in climbing either trad or sport. I'm comfortable with 5.8s in the gym...if trad...probably 5.7... I have a car.

    Frederico silva
    Frederico silva - Hi Karin I'm new in Vancouver I have sport climbing gear, and I lead up to 5.12a/b, I'm interested in do some easy routes I'm here with my girlfriend and we don't have car, is our first time at Squamish. If you're interested give us a call

  • Adam Spilchen
    Adam Spilchen 212 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish
    Reply

    im pretty much just looking for someone with as much or more experiance then me, with lots of time to go do lots of climbing anywhere.


  • Jonathon Kresner
    Jonathon Kresner 219 days ago
    What boulders look like in Squamish - Below the Chief
    taken @ Squamish
    Comment on movie - Msg Jonathon Kresner

    360 view from within the forrest looking at all different shapes and sized boulders.



  • todd mackenzie
    todd mackenzie 226 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish
    Reply

    Looking to climb always. I've got a rope, draws, etc... I have a motorcycle, but no extra helmet.


  • Joe
    Joe 227 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish
    Reply

    I'm wanting to climb the upper 7 sport face climb pitches again. Very beautiful climb with lots of vertical exposure. It will take couple hours to half day.

    -10a
    -10c
    -10b
    -9
    -9
    -10b
    -7

    I can lead the whole thing or we can swap lead. I have 60m rope and 7 quickdraws. (would need 5 more quickdraws). I have no access to a vehicle at the moment but I can split gas.

    Joe
    778.999.7104
    joewtc@hotmail.com


  • Eric Whittaker
    Eric Whittaker 228 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish
    Reply

    I live in Seattle and want to climb at Squamish for the first time the weekend of August 8-9. I would like to leave Seattle Friday the 7th around 6 or 7pm and climb all day saturday and sunday, getting back to seattle by midnight or so on sunday. I am willing to drive, or meet someone in squamish that weekend. I lead trad up to 5.10a/b.


  • Radmila
    Radmila 231 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish
    Reply

    http://bcmc.ca/schedule/showtrip.asp?id=1206
    For more trips see: http://bcmc.ca/Schedule/tripsched.asp


  • Peter
    Peter 236 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish, Bugs
    Reply

    Hey! I'll be in Alberta second half of August. Plans are shaping up with one partner but I'll likely be looking for someone to climb with the last week of the month. Hoping to hit the Bugaboos, but could be compelled to make a "scenic" drive all the way to Skaha or Squamish. If there's something else in between I should know about, let me know!


  • Aili
    Aili 237 days ago
    Looking for climbers @ Squamish
    Reply

    Hi! I have too much free time on my hands right now and would rather be spending it climbing. Would love to get up to Squamish on weekdays, doesn't really matter when. I am a humble top-roper at present but if you lead, I can second up to 5.10a/b. I have a rope but don't have a car, so if you can give me a ride up to Squamish, that would be truly awesome.


  • Kevin
    Kevin 275 days ago
    An introduction to Bouldering
    taken @ Squamish
    Comment on movie - Msg Kevin

    A video on the delights of bouldering in Squamish



  • James Williamson
    James Williamson 317 days ago
    Sonnie Trotter - Cobra Crack (5.14), Squamish
    taken @ Squamish
    Comment on movie - Msg James Williamson

    A video of world renowned climber Sonnie Trotter and his first free ascent of Cobra Crack in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.



  • Jonathon Kresner
    Jonathon Kresner 325 days ago
    Dreamcatcher - bigUPproductions
    taken @ Squamish
    Comment on movie - Msg Jonathon Kresner

    Chris Sharma on the first ascent of Dreamcatcher, 5.14d/9a. Excerpt from Dosage Volume 4, full-length DVD available at www.bigUPproductions.com




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