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Elevation: 217 ft
GPS: 49.67997, -123.15393
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Peter Spindloe on Feb 18, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Mark Roberts, Mauricio Herrera Cuadra, Kate Lynn, Braden Batsford
Warning Access Issue: Camping DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Squamish is simply fantastic and features endless, perfect granite climbing that is basically roadside. If you want to crag, no problem. If you want to climb a 15 pitch classic, no problem. Squamish has it all, including lots of rain. Just hope it doesn't rain (much) during your visit and you'll love the place.

Getting There Suggest change

From Vancouver, negotiate your way out of town (confusing), and follow the scenic 99 (Sea to Sky Hwy) north along the eastern flanks of the Howe Sound for around 70 km (44 mi) to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, just south of the small town of Squamish. Allow about 1-1.5 hours driving time.

Other Areas Nearby

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This section of the database is limited to the closest formations to the town of Squamish. To help visitors orient themselves to other areas within striking distance of Squamish, use the Map and these notes:

The Sea to Sky (Squamish to Whistler) is the stretch of highway between Squamish and Whistler and contains many primarily sport-climbing crags which range from 10 to 40 minutes away from Squamish.

Sea to Sky (North of Whistler) is obviously a little further north, but perfectly reasonable for day trips from Squamish. There's a lot in the area although not much has been posted here yet.

Some of the Vancouver crags are easily accessible from Squamish, although once you made it there, why head back south?

Camping

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The popularity of Squamish within the #vanlife community has increased to the point that there is great concern about the group’s collective environmental impact. “Wild” or “Freedom” camping has become unmanageable environmentally because of the high numbers of campers. This is a serious issue that causes conflict between locals, home owners, and climbers!

Click here for Municipal Campground information. Up-to-date locations and prices + online availability and booking.

PLEASE DO NOT CAMP IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
*Spit Road - Squamish Estuary/Wildlife Management Area
* Downtown Squamish
* Mamquam Forest Service Road/Powerhouse Springs Road
* Any residential area

RECOMMENDATIONS:

At the base of the Chief
$10/person
This area is literally a one minute walk to the Chief (Campground Wall), five minutes to the Grand Wall boulders, and ten minutes to the base of the Grand Wall. The treed ambiance and cooking area make this a nice place to base yourself. It's about a thirty minute walk into town for groceries, meals etc, and perhaps forty minutes walk to the Smoke Bluffs.

Mamquam River Campground
$15/night
A campground by dirtbags, for dirtbags. It's Squamish's cheapest campground option and is specifically geared toward climbers.

Just across the street from Shannon Falls
$33/night
Maybe ten minutes to the Shannon Falls climbing and twenty minutes to the Grand Wall. It's about ten minutes further from town than the camping at the base of the Chief.

Alice Lake
$12/night
This area accepts reservations, has climbing very close by (not yet posted in the database though), and is probably a good base for climbing north of Squamish, like at Chek.

Accomodations

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If you are not interested in camping, here are some other options:

Squamish Hostel - squamishhostel.com/

Howesound Brew Pub (has a few rooms too!) - howesound.com/

There are also many good options available on AirBNB or VRBO, with locations located very close to many of the major climbing areas.

Where to Eat

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This is just a sampling, suggest more in the comments if you wish.

Groceries:

Save-On-Foods is the cheapest option, a few blocks into town on the right.

Nester's Market in the plaza at the intersection of Cleveland and Hwy. 99. More expensive.

Pub:

The Howe Sound Inn&Brewing Co. right at the very end of Cleveland Street. This is very popular hangout with climbers and other outdoor types. The food is also very good, much better than your average pub fare.

Breakfast:

Chef Big D's for traditional breakfast: eggs, toast, fruit, etc, just down Cleveland on the left

The Mountain Burger House at Cleveland and Pemberton (a few blocks past the plaza) for more of the same

TimberWolf - Wonderful Bennies 

Access Information

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Squamish Access Society Lots of useful information about access.
- Check the sire for camping information, closures, Perigrin Falcon nesting, and other useful beta.
- Membership is $10 for 5 years. Please join to support ongoing advocacy for climbers.

PLEASE observe camping restrictions and if you are wild camping dispose of human waste appropriately.

Guiding Services

2,216 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Squamish Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Squamish

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 674
Klahanie Crack
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 352
Laughing Crack
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 665
Diedre
Trad 6 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 670
Skywalker
Trad 5 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 339
The Spirit of Squamish
Trad 8 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 380
Slot Machine
Trad 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 590
Penny Lane
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 399
St. Vitus' Dance
Trad 5 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 501
Flying Circus
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 437
Rock On
Trad 5 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 309
The Zip
Trad
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 486
Angel's Crest
Trad 13 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 590
Exasperator
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c A0
 416
The Grand Wall
Trad, Aid 9 pitches
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 341
Crime of the Century
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Klahanie Crack Shannon Falls > Shannon Falls Wall
 674
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Laughing Crack Smoke Bluffs > Wall Area
 352
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Diedre Stawamus Chief > Apron
 665
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 6 pitches
Skywalker Shannon Falls > Shannon Falls Wall
 670
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 5 pitches
The Spirit of Squamish Shannon Falls > Shannon Falls Wall
 339
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 8 pitches
Slot Machine Stawamus Chief > Bulletheads > Bulletheads South
 380
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Penny Lane Smoke Bluffs > Penny Lane
 590
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
St. Vitus' Dance Stawamus Chief > Apron
 399
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 5 pitches
Flying Circus Smoke Bluffs > Neat & Cool
 501
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Rock On Stawamus Chief > Apron
 437
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 5 pitches
The Zip Smoke Bluffs > Zip > Zip (South)
 309
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Angel's Crest Stawamus Chief > Sheriff's Badge
 486
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 13 pitches
Exasperator Stawamus Chief > Grand Wall Base Area
 590
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 2 pitches
The Grand Wall Stawamus Chief > Grand Wall Area
 416
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c A0 Trad, Aid 9 pitches
Crime of the Century Smoke Bluffs > Penny Lane
 341
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
More Classic Climbs in Squamish »

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