Unbeknownst to his millions of fans, BD Ambassador Chris Burkard—the prolific adventure photographer and filmmaker—has a crack addiction. To make matters worse (at least for his knees and elbows), Burkard’s obsession is not your standard affair. Oh no. He’s into the darkest, gnarliest, most destructive type of crack there is … the infamous offwidth. In this film, Burkard, armed with a rope, rack and the shirt on his back, explains why climbing offwidths is the closest you’ll ever get to “making love” with the stone while facing off with Yosemite’s famed Hardman Offwidth Circuit.

We are very excited to announce that North Vancouver climber and BC Open Provincial Bouldering Champion has made an ascent of Shelter (v13) in the Grand Wall Boulders, Squamish, BC. Only trying the route a few times, JJ found himself on the top of this awesome boulder!

Photo by Matt Johnson

We are pleased to announce that Stu Smith has made the first ascent of one of his projects located in the Rehabilitation Area in Cheakamus Canyon area. The route named Babe Doy (5.12d;13+), is located on the west side of the highway, climbs up the cliff opposite the salt shed. The first pitch goes at 12d and the second pitch goes somewhere in the 13+ range. According to Stu, it is harder than some v10’s he has done, so if anyone is up for the challenge, the prestigious second ascent is still up for grabs!

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In February 2019, Giuliano made the first ascent of two of the hardest boulders in Ticino, CH: Poison The Well in Brione and REM in Cresciano.

There is only one person you will have to bear for the rest of your life: yourself. That’s why being alone is so difficult. Even in the mountains, and not just because of safety. Being alone strips you naked, it makes you understand who you are, what is your value, the things that matter in life. This is the story of Hansjörg Auer.

Another weekend full of Canadian action at the 2019 IFSC World Cup and another great placement of Olympic hopeful and North Vancouver local Alannah Yip. Making finals for the third time this season, Alannah Yip ended the weekend in 8th place for bouldering and 53rd place for speed!

In the Men’s Bouldering, North Vancouver local Sean McColl made it to the semi-final round, placing 14th in bouldering and 37th for speed!

Joined by Canadian Team Coach Andrew Wilson, Jeff Thomposon (President of Climbing Escalanda Canada) and physiotherapist Len Chong, the Canadian team will make their way to Wujiang this week to complete in the World Cup that takes place this coming weekend.

Below are the Canadian results for Chongqing (CHN) 2019

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Watch Sean McColl and Alannah Yip at the World Cup Semi-finals in Chongqing.

Watch Neil Mawson make the first ascent of Choronzon at Pembroke in Wales. Graded E10 7a, this is one of the hardest trad routes in the UK.

Special thanks to local climber Kris Wild, who recently completed his new multi-pitch line up the Apron. The line, named ‘Read Between the Lines (5.8 – 4 pitches or 5.10a – 5 pitches)’ begins at the base of the ramp that leads to Snake. According to Wild the line is ‘a mix of new terrain, and a pitch and a half of the old route Anxiety State / Trivia.’ Below is a topo and description of the route.

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This weekend, The Boulders in Central Saanich, BC continue to play host to the 2019 Sport Climbing BC Provincial Difficulty Championships. Here are the final results of the Difficulty competition Saturday which will be followed today (Sunday) by the Speed competition

Men’s Open

1. Elan Jonas-McRae
2. Devin Wong
3. Guy McNamee

Women’s Open
1.Lexi Binder
2. Stephanie Chow
3. Brielle Zacharias

For Junior and Youth Results, please see below. Special mention for Squamish local Cedar Pidgeon, who came home from a bouldering trip only two weeks ago to place on top of the podium for Youth C!

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