It was a tough day for our Canadian athletes today at the IFSC Bouldering World Cup in Haiyang, China.

Continue reading »

Here are the updated changes to the filming schedule. For those interested, here is a link to the production company’s Park Use Permit courtesy of Peter Michaux.

Nice little video featuring Siurana, Spain.

Well, that’s a wrap. The third edition of the Rock the Blocs Boulderfest in Kelowna, BC has come and gone once again. And, there’s no doubt that this years fest was the biggest and best to date. The weather was great, climbers came in droves and the energy in the boulders was infectious.

Photo courtesy of Shane Collins ©

Continue reading »

Great little video from the action last weekend in Kelowna, BC at The Boulderfields.

This article has been changed from its original.

For those of you who have been to the Grand Wall boulders at the Stawamus Chief Provincial Park lately, the forest appears to be in an unnatural state. Ropes, stages, fake boulders and florescent flagging tape line the boulders, as a film crew sets up for a shoot that will take place at the end of the week. When walking through the area, it feels as though the boulders have been invaded without care from BC Parks, who granted access for filming in this location, or the film crew, who has been setting up since last Monday.

To make matters worse, communication between the film crew, BC Parks, and the general public has not been forthcoming about closures to the area and it has lead to a number of altercations between the film crew security and local climbers. BC Parks has not posted any closures in the area yet there has been at least one incident of security for the film telling climbers the area is closed.

Fake cave covering the problem Squaminard. Photo by Squamish Climbing Magazine ©

Continue reading »

Always a treat to read Jeremy Blumel’s bi-monthly column in The Chief Newspaper.

Climbing treads the line between life and death, sport, self-exploration and lifestyle.

After reading Leigh McClurg’s June 4th Squamish Chief story about failure in the mountains, “Turning back: It’s not failure,” I reflected on a recent time when I turned around before the top, failing to reach the summit because of dwindling time on the clock. My bitter-tasting failure soon mellowed into the sweet wine of good judgment and enriching experience.

It was 10:30 a.m. on the day when I came up with the plan to scramble up Mt. Habrich via the West Ridge. In hindsight, this was a bit late, as start times go.

Continue reading »

Here is an update from Andy White on Day 1 of Rock the Blocs Boulderfest in Kelowna, BC

Day one at the Third Annual Rock the Blocs Boulderfest in The Boulderfields is in the books. Once again, the competition day of the event was a resounding success. With over 165 participants, and over 110 competitors, The Fields were abuzz yesterday.

The Rock the Blocs Bouldering Festival was created as a way to showcase the world-class bouldering in The Boulderfields. Yesterday saw participants from Mexico, Austria, Germany, numerous states in the USA, Ontario, and all over Alberta and BC. The vibe in the boulders was electric and the climbing community showed its true cohesiveness. At times, it was easy to forget that a bouldering competition was underway.

Climbers wandering the fields. Photo courtesy of Ava Aslani ©

Continue reading »

We are pleased to announce that Sean McColl placed first at the IFSC Bouldering World Cup Chongqing, China. At last look, (before falling asleep), Sean climbed very strong in the Semi-final round and was sure to give the other competitors a run for their money. This is Sean’s first time on top of the podium this year. We are also very excited for Andre Difelice from St. Catherine’s, Ontario, placing 17th yesterday in Semi-finals.

On the Women’s side, Stacey Weldon placed 12th after a hard fought Semi-finals. This results will certainly give Stacey a lot of confidence going into Haiyang next weekend. Congratulations Stacey! We were all cheering for you here at home.

Continue reading »