When Jim Cooper and Ed Baldwin completed their pioneering six-week ascent of the Grand Wall of the Stawamus Chief granite monolith in 1961, Squamish became known worldwide as a genuine rock climbing and mountaineering mecca. Nowadays, some 1500 routes are available for climbing, with peak use between April and October.
Climbing the Stawamus Chief
The Stawamus Chief is the second-largest granite monolith in North America, and its awe-inspiring 700m/2300ft bulk looms over downtown Squamish, making it a magnet for climbers. Routes range from easy scrambles to daunting 5.14 climbs. Besides various climbs on the Grand Wall itself, some popular routes on "The Chief" include Ultimate Everything, Rock On, and Angel's Crest. Enjoy some 180 single-pitch and multi-pitch routes, with a variety of slab, face and crack pitches.
For best access to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park as a climber, head to the Apron parking lot on the east side of Highway 99 at the junction with the Stawamus River Forest Road.
More Rock Climbing Venues
Located close to the Squamish Adventure Centre/Visitor Center (38551 Loggers Lane) and downtown Squamish, Smoke Bluffs Provincial Park offers tons of granite single-pitch rock climbing routes. Bouldering fans will find boulders throughout Squamish on which to test their skills as well. And the Cheakamus Canyon is a short drive away to the north for even more rock climbing.
Rock Climbing Equipment, Lessons, and Tours
Well-known local rock climbing stores include Climb On (38165 Second Ave.) and Valhalla Pure Squamish (#800-1205 Hunter Place). Stock up on harnesses, climbing shoes, helmets, chalk bags and more for traditional climbing, sport climbing, alpine climbing, and bouldering. A number of established local companies offer rock climbing lessons, including Squamish Rock Guides, WestCoast Mountain Guides, and Slipstream Rock & Ice. Teaching safety along with skills is the top priority. Guided tours are available as well for the Squamish and Whistler areas. Contact the companies directly for more details.
Squamish Mountain Festival
Each August, the Squamish Mountain Festival offers a multi-day celebration of the history of bouldering, mountaineering, and rock climbing in this area. The festival features films, guest speakers, clinics, a trade fair, and more. Venues include the Squamish Adventure Centre, the Howe Sound Inn, and the Eagle Eye Community Theatre at Howe Sound Secondary School. For more printed information on rock climbing in Squamish, pick up a guidebook at Valhalla Pure Squamish, or the Squamish Adventure Centre/Visitor Centre off Highway 99. At the in-house movie theatre at the SAC, watch the documentary film "In the Shadow of the Chief," which tells the story of Baldwin and Cooper's 1961 ascent.