Squamish Access Society

Membership in the society is $10 for two years and is renewable on a two year basis for $5.  You can sign up or renew on line here or fill in forms at Climb On or Valhalla Pure in Squamish.

Membership remains up to a year after renewal payment has lapsed.   If you are a member you will be contacted during this period as a reminder of your status.

The SAS is founded on members; the continued support of your membership and thereby climbers access work in Squamish is very much appreciated by the Society at large.

In 2008 additional signage regarding park policy on dogs was posted at several trail heads in the Chief boulders.  It was the first step by Parks to communicate a ramp-up in enforcement of the on-leash rule.  With the huge increase of users since the late 1990s, Parks has become especially concerned about the number of dogs left off leash.  Reported incidents of people being bitten, dog excrement among the boulders and on trails, dogs barking and fighting and running through re-vegetation zones have increased the need in Park’s eyes for enhanced enforcement.  Expect heightened enforcement this season; Parks does have the authority to ticket.

The SAS supports the on-leash policy and asks that dog owners abide by the Park rules so that they and others can enjoy it to the fullest.   The following link takes you to the pet policy in the park and other policies that may be of interest:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/stawamus/#Management

Help shape the future of Canadian climbers’ access and be in the running to win a free Maxim rope!

The National Climbers Access Initiative encourages everyone who cares about access to Canada’s boulders, crags, ice and mountains to complete a brief web-based survey designed to help determine the need and future direction of a permanent national access group.

As access to climbing areas has become a common issue across Canada, the question arises whether the time is ripe for a national climbers’ access group.  As part of a project spearheaded by Mountain Equipment Co-op and Gripped magazine, a working group called the National Climbers Access Initiative has evolved.  The group is conducting a needs assessment exercise, part of which includes this survey.  More can be learned about the NCAI at www.ncai.ca.

To access the survey and join the rope draw please click here (the survey deadline has been extended to June 10, 2009).

BC Parks, in consultation with the SAS and assistance from the Sea-to-Sky Highway project, have upgraded several approach trails.  One deserving call-out is the trail to Shannon Falls and Gobsmacking, as this has been in pretty bad shape for some time.  Another area that has received attention is the upper portion of the Apron descent trail, and there has been some trail delineation work done on the Sheriff’s Badge and Angel’s Crest trails.   The trail-head sign for the Angel’s Crest trail is missing; we are working with parks for a replacement.

The SAS is pleased to welcome two new Directors to the board, Jeremy Smith and Charlie Harrison.  Both Squamish locals are heavily engaged in climbing and bring added perspective to the advocacy cause.

The Smoke Bluff Park Committee, thanks to volunteers, has been busy retrofitting and optimizing several anchors on routes in the Bluffs.  A few examples of the recent work are:

• Easter Island
• Mosquito
• Sphinx’ter Quits
• Sally five Fingers
• Wasted Days and Nights
• Raging Duck
• Who Needs Bolts
• Who Needs Pro
• Bilbo Baggins
• Libya Sucks
• High Boltage Line
• Magical Child

Climbers will also notice the new approach trail leading up from the parking lot.  A bit more work needs to be done in the lower section to finalize it, but it provides a better grade and footing surface, and minimizes bottlenecks of upward and downward traffic of climbers, hikers, cyclists, etc… on the old trail.  This, in addition to the revamped loop trail, the vegetation management at cliffs like Ronins Corner, Bughouse Heights, Fatty Bolger, Easter Island and one Toque Wall, and the addition of the new family friendly area near Clean Starts (with anchors for top-roping and picnic tables) have kept the Smoke Bluff Park committee busy indeed.

A broad and as-yet loosely connected network of western hemisphere access groups is meeting for the first time this year at the Squamish Mountain Festival.  Climbers from South America to Canada will take part in a number of discussions and forums to discuss the potential for the group.  For more information check out www.accesspanamerica.com.

The dates for this year’s festival are August 12th to the 16th.  It promises to be another fantastic time of climbing, parties, clinics, slideshows and more.

The presenters this year are Will Stanhope, Peter Croft, Lauren Lee, Audrey Gariepy, Ines Papert, Ian Parnell and Simon Yates.

There will be a trail day planned for Saturday the 15th.  For a recap of the 2008 festival and for more details as they gel for 2009, check out www.squamishmountainfestival.com.