With the 2016 Canadian Bouldering National Championship this weekend at The Hive North Shore, we thought it only fitting to interview Gavin Johnson, who has been a strong force on the British Columbian competition scene for a number of years and works at The Hive North Shore. Gavin began climbing at the age of eight. Influenced by his parents love for the outdoors and his brother, Matt, Gavin joined the original Edge Climbing Team at an early age and grew his love for climbing both indoors and outdoors. In 2014, Gavin was the BC Youth Provincial Champion and placed first in the 2014 Open Bouldering Provincials.

Gavin Johnson. Photo courtesy of Ian Koppe ©

With a frustrating year of injuries, Gavin is getting ready for this weekend’s National Competition like any other competitor. We thought it would be cool to check in on how he is preparing for this weekend and what the future holds. Here is what he had to say.

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Amazing film by Vancouver local Read MacAdam about his search for boulders in the Sultanate of Oman. Please visit the website for this odyssey here.

Nice little flick about climbing in the Boulderfields in Kelowna, BC.

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We are pleased to announce that Nathan Hall sent The Egg (v11) today! Nathan has been trying The Egg on and off for the past four years and today was his lucky day! Congratulations!

Nathan Hall on The Egg (v11). Photo courtesy of Jamie Finlayson ©

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Just a reminder that the 2016 Canadian National Bouldering Championships will take place this weekend at The Hive North Shore. With such a fantastic facility to showcase out climbing community, it would be foolish not to attend this event!

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Nice little flick featuring Tasmania and its coastal towers. Look out for more footage of this beautiful area.

The Squamish classic, Crime of the Century (5.11c), located in the Smoke Bluffs captured in all its glory by Stu Smith.

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Squamish Climbing Magazine is very excited to have the opportunity to share the story Refugio written by Matt Spohn. Matt lives in Portland with his wife Michelle, and chihuahua, Zoozoo. He has been climbing for 22 years. This is his first contribution to Squamish Climbing Magazine (with many more to come!).

Mason groans, pale faced, teeth chattering—exaltation to the sleepless. The night gone, etched into memory; a sole headlamp flickering, the exfoliating flakes of Half Dome letting loose, the air tightening its hold on my bones. My body entwined in rope for warmth, I watch dawn’s cold grey spread out. I open my hands and stretch my fingers wide. Mason’s head rests against my shoulder and I wonder about his bushy beard, my bare face cold. He shakes and the shivers push me close to the precipice and I wiggle myself deeper into his body, thinking it better to be the little spoon.

You up, Mason asks.
Yeah.
Longest f**king night ever.
Uh huh. Ready to be done.
Me too.

Photo by Matt Spohn ©

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Well done clip featuring the vision of Daniel Jung, a Black Diamond Global Athlete based in Siegen, Germany, as he fulfills a dream of building a climbing gym

Here is a note from the Squamish Access Society regarding the logging of Block SW 144 on the Stawamus FSR in the saddle between Slhanny and the Chief. The Squamish Access Society (SAS) and the Climbers Access Society of BC (CASBC) put in a large amount of energy to reduce the logging in this area.

The Squamish Access Society has received word that Oceanview Forest Products is going to commence logging TSL A 92860 (aka Block SW 144) on the Stawamus FSR in the saddle between Slhanny and the Chief March 1, 2016. Falling and road building operations will be 7 days / week from starting March 1 – to approximately the 3rd week in March. Log Hauling is scheduled to begin March 15 and will occur Monday to Friday on the following roads:

Shannon FSR from 2.2km
Stawamus-Indian FSR from 1.6km and,
The Mamquam River FSR from 3.8km to the highway.

Oceanview Forest Products anticipates harvesting and hauling to be complete mid May (if not sooner), prior to the main climbing season. Climber cooperation will greatly assist this timeline.The Squamish Access Society asks the climbing public to avoid Slhanny back side areas and Longhouse areas during this short period of time for public safety and to minimize operation time. But if you are inclined to go, expect the following.

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