Area 44 & Cheakamus Canyon, Squamish

Having signposts to the climbs and topos of the crags is something you really don’t get in the UK. It might not be that in keeping with the environment, but it is rather convenient. Rain was forecast to arrive after lunch so a bolted crag seemed like a good idea, as you can descend quickly if required. 

We spent the morning at a newly developed crag called Area 44. It was a different rock type to the Squamish granite, and all bolted.

The main selling point for the crag had been to get the views of the Tantlus Mountain, which are spectacular, but today, mostly covered in clouds. 



It’s one of the only crags in Squamish away from the main Highway 99, so much more peaceful, but the rock and routes were no where near as good. We climbed three routes, including one that was listed in the Top 100 list before moving on. It was a very steep route which tested both nerves as well as strength. 



It was still dry, so we moved on to Chekamus Canyon, where Katrina put the rope up a crazy steep route. While we were there, we were surprised to hear someone call over ‘hi Clare’ - we’d bumped into an Irish climbing friend again who we’d first met on a climbing trip in Todra Gorge in Morocco about 13 years ago. Since then, we’ve randomly met each other on various other climbing trips around the world! He now lives in Squamish!



We climbed the first pitch of another classic route, as the rain began. I went as fast as possible and was able to lower back down before any drama unfolded. We dropped Katrin back at the house and went into town for a look around. 



Turned out, we were just in time for the Squamish Motorcycle Festival!



We stayed and watched some stunt riders burning their back tyres to shreds. Not really sure what it was all about, but people seemed to like it!?!



We had a look in a few shops and a coffee in Zephyrs Cafe, before heading back home to cook dinner, feeling like we’d managed to fit in quite a lot for a ‘wet day’. Oh, and I also bumped into a guy from Llanberis who I’d taught to climb 15 years ago! Small world...



Area 44:

- 5.7

- Nuts and Rasins, 5.7

- I’m not against it, 5.8

- Rocky Horror, 5.10a (Squamish Top 100)

Cheakamus Canyon:

- Low Impact, 5.10a

- Charlotte’s Web, 5.9 (first pitch)