We are very excited to announce that Hazel Findlay has made the first ascent of the coveted stemming corner to the left of North Star (5.13b) accessed via Third Peak of the Stawamus Chief.

Photo courtesy of Jonny Baker

The route, now named ‘Tainted Love aka Norther Soul (5.13+) requires some very very desperate stemming. Congratulations Hazel!!

Update: Speaking to Hazel and Neil Dyer, the proposed grade is 5.13d R. Sounds spicy! To fill in a little history on the route, Squamish-local Neil Dyer originally top roped the route in 2015 but couldn’t find the headspace to lead the rig. According to Neil, leading the route is a real challenge with all the small gear and requires the climber to run it out to save energy and stick to the sequence. He reported that Hazel made a proper fight in the conditions it was sent and showed true tenacity in her head game. Neil reported it was one of the most difficult belays he had given and his legs were shaking at the end of it all.

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We are very excited for the upcoming 3rd Annual Canmore Climbing Festival that will take place August 12, 2017 in Canmore, AB. Last year, the event was one of the best one night celebrations of climbing and this year looks to be no different.

Doors open @ 6pm with the show starting @ 7pm on August 12, 2017. Speakers include Mike Doyle, Colette McInerney, Vikki Weldon, and Josh Wharton.

Tickets can be purchased @ Vertical Addiction in Canmore, AB.

Fernando de la Mora n Captain America (5.14b) in Squamish, BC

This past November, BD Athletes Babsi Zangerl and Jacopo Larcher went to battle on one of El Cap’s most formidable free routes. With some of the hardest climbing in the Valley crammed into 16-pitches, the Zodiac (5.13d) had only seen two previous ascents … until Babsi and Jacopo showed up. Check out this new BD film documenting the duo’s epic send.

Nalle Hukkataival and Jimmy Webb recently traveled to Swaziland in search of new boulders and found an unforgettable country with amazing people and fascinating culture. But Finding boulder problems isn’t as easy as it sounds, you might end up walking through fields and forest for hours and find nothing. Or you might find a gem, something that could possibly be THE next hard line, maybe even the African Star…

When Ryuichi Murai headed to Magic Wood he was clearly on a mission. Despite the rain, he had an incredible trip, with a tick list comprising of some of the hardest boulders in the forest. As well as climbing hard, he also climbed quickly, sending most of the 8b problems after only a couple of tries. Filmmaker Mikkel Lima was there to capture all of the action alongside videographer and drone pilot Camilla Hylleberg.

Video featuring Babsi Zangerl.