Geological engineers are in the process of compiling their findings on the Squamish Chief rocklside and an update is anticipated in the next few days, the District of Squamish said in its latest update.
Meanwhile, the Mamquam Forest Service Road is open but the climbing access trail to Angel’s Crest is closed until further notice, but all hiking trails in the Chief are open including the Sea to Summit trail that leads to the top of the gondola.
There were no reported injuries after a large boulder fell off from the Squamish Chief and triggered a rockslide at approximately 11:50am on Sunday morning near the North Walls area of the north peak, close to a climbing route called Northern Lights.
“At this time we have no reason to believe there’s any injury,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Cummings of the Squamish RCMP on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, CBC reported that close to 10 climbers were just metres away from the massive rock slide and all made it safely, according to Squamish Search and Rescue.
BC Parks manager Katy Chambers said the climbers were on a route called Angel’s Crest on the North Walls area when the 1,000 cubic metre granite slab fell away.
“All climbers that we know have been accounted for,” she told The Early Edition‘s Rick Cluff.. “All vehicles have been accounted for in the area.”
Larry McLennan says
Lets see- we have a large rock mass with significant vertical jointing in an area of high rainfall and which is subject to seasonal freezing temperatures. What could possibly cause intermittant collapses of slabs of rock off the face of the cliffs? It seems to me that there was a similar collapse in the same area several years ago. Perhaps climbers could be directed to climb in other areas of the Chief
Dave Colwell says
Larry, I concur.
Geologically: “What goes up “WILL COME DOWN”.
Time is the variable.
So we all have to live with it. Enjoy the view and the climbing but just be mindful of the natural process involved with any rocky outcrop.
Since I have been in Squamish there have been several slides on this particular part of the chief….this is the largest.
Avoid climbing such faces shortly after alternation of cold/thawing spells might be a good plan too.
Geo Hyperform says
Beware the “sheriff’s badge”. All 3 major slough-offs of the least 40 years have been there. You can’t even see the dancing lady or the golfer in the bowler hat any more.
tjay says
Much ado about nothing…