Destination Climbing: Squamish

Lush green forest, 70F and sunny in summer, and all the granite in the planet that you can climb to your heart’s content: this is Squamish.

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Just an hour north of Vancouver lies the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada; Squamish sits at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway, where ocean, river and alpine forest meet.

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Make Squamish your basecamp this summer for all your outdoor activities, including climbing or hiking the Stawamus Chief, a huge cliff-faced granite massif, or bouldering over 2500 problems described in the local guidebook.
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When to Go:

Summer is definitely Squamish’s peak season, and crowds tend to surge in July/August.  We took a bet on the weather and booked our Squamish adventure for June, when there are fewer climbers and wetter weather, but more accommodations.

How to Get There:

Fly to Vancouver (YVR) airport.  Drive through downtown Vancouver and down the Sea to Sky Highway for about an hour.  Alternatively, grab a bus direct from YVR to Squamish Adventure Center for $70 (one-way).

Get High:

Hike or go for a trail run up to Peak 2 of the stunning Stawamus Chief.  Seriously steep and not for the faint of heart, but the views are totally worth it.  Bring a layer and a waterproof with as the Pacific Northwest rain and cold tends to sneak up you, even in summer.

What to eat:

  • Bisla: indian food for the win
  • Chef Big D: decent sized brekkies and we highly recommend the wild salmon omlette
  • Fergie’s: best breakfast ever (try the freshly-baked muffins and the pulled pork!)
  • Howe Sound Brewing: ribs are a girl’s best friend apres-climbing

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Where to stay:

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