Squamish Chief Climbing Routes: Ready to Conquer Again in Spring!
BC Parks plans to open climbing routes at the Stawamus Chief this spring. Several climbing routes at the Chief have been closed since September due to rockfall.
A ministry spokesperson told the Squamish Reporter all closed routes would likely open in spring, but didn’t provide details on exactly when that will be. BC Parks had been working with geotechnical engineers to manage the series of rockfalls over the summer, the ministry said.
The Ministry is also in contact with user groups like the Squamish Access Society and will continue to monitor the situation moving forward. Robin Richardson, the president of Squamish Access Society, said the society supported reopening but the Grand Wall and Slhannay should be opened first. The Grand Wall is by far the most popular route to be closed.
“When the area is reopened, SAS will employ our rebolting team (ACMG guides) to replace the damaged and destroyed bolts and anchors,” he said.
BC Parks is examining options such as increased signage. Richardson said SAS supported any initiative that alerted climbers and the general public to the danger of rockfall.
“It is our opinion that general park infrastructure like trail upgrades, toilets, bike paths, and parking are the things that would support climbers in the local parks. Previous access groups in Squamish worked hard to put in place guidelines for climbing route development and management. These are working well from our perspective, and we’d like to see that positive relationship continue,” Richardson said.
