2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Overview
In 2025, the Squamish Access Society (SAS) focused on turning member feedback into action. The priorities identified in our 2025 Member Survey directly shaped how we allocated time, energy, and resources throughout the year. This overview highlights how SAS responded to what members told us mattered most.
Members expressed a strong appetite for more community events, particularly climbing-related gatherings and trail building days. In response, SAS delivered ten trail work days involving 50 volunteers and 291 volunteer hours across key climbing areas. Projects spanned Paradise Valley, Shannon Falls, Murrin, the Hermitage, Brohm Dome, the Foundation Wall, and several bouldering access points. Trail work proved to be one of our highest-engagement activities, both in volunteer participation and community response, reinforcing its importance to our members and the broader climbing community.
Survey feedback also highlighted the need for clearer, more consistent communication beyond social media. In 2025, SAS transitioned to a new integrated membership and communications platform, refreshed and updated our website, and reinstated regular newsletters. These improvements were designed to ensure members can reliably stay informed, manage memberships, and engage with SAS across multiple channels.
The most common reasons members cited for joining SAS were supporting access and infrastructure, giving back to the community, advocacy, and staying informed. These motivations were reflected throughout our work. Replacement bolts and trail maintenance, identified as the most valuable infrastructure investments, remained a core focus, including significant anchor replacement work on the Grand Wall. Advocacy continued through active engagement with the District of Squamish, BC Parks, and ongoing internal work to guide respectful and informed engagement with the Squamish Nation. In parallel, SAS advanced the Economic Impact Study through a full year of data collection, strengthening the foundation for future evidence-based advocacy.
Members also indicated that incentives and tangible benefits could encourage renewals. While this remains an area for growth, 2025 focused on building the systems, partnerships, and organizational capacity needed to deliver these benefits more effectively in the future.
Financially, SAS ended 2025 in a healthy position, with lower overall expenses and increased cash reserves. This stability allowed us to continue essential infrastructure, advocacy, and community work while positioning the organization well for 2026. Together, these efforts reflect a year of responsiveness, stewardship, and preparation, ensuring SAS remains aligned with member priorities and the long-term protection of climbing access in Squamish.
Christi Rae
Chair
Feb 1, 2026
Board and Volunteers
The SAS board in 2025 was comprised of:
Christi Rae– Chair
Eric Hughes – Vice Chair
Jess Gold – Secretary
Ivan Melisek – Treasurer
Emilisa Frirdich
Brian Moorhead
John Howe
Yogi Urbano
Cody Abercrombie
Dave Brayden
Auston Chor
We were also grateful for the work of several other associates including:
Leonardo Iezzi
Greg Lindstrom
Paul McSorley
Financial Summary
2025 revenue decreased year-over-year (YoY) as we received fewer project specific donations than in 2024. Coincidently, we had limited capacity to take on big ticket infrastructure projects in the year, so the infrastructure expense decreased YoY. Admin expense decreased YoY – we saved money by not hiring a managing director role again in 2025, which was offset by the spend on the Economic Impact Study. Memberships and Events expenses increased in 2025 because we implemented a new member management software. Rebolting expense looks lower than it was because we received a refund on an order placed in 2024. The 2025 expense was in line with the prior year. We ended 2025 with a healthy cash position which increased YoY, driven by lower expenses.
Memberships
We currently have 635 members
All-time we have had 2895 members
We shut down our Mailchimp email system
We shut down our PayPal system
We transferred to a new "Neon One" System - This new system integrates membership management, emails and payments, as well as allowing easy website integration and login facilities
We had 109 Donations
Website
We updated and refreshed the website - including membership login and account access, events pages, donations pages,
We defined & updated our core values & mission
District of Squamish
The Squamish Access Society is one of ten voting members on the District of Squamish’s Smoke Bluffs Staff Advisory Committee (SBSAC). The SBSAC advises District staff on park planning, policy development, and the prioritization of annual capital and operating budgets.
In 2025, the SBSAC met several times and conducted one field visit to discuss management issues. The primary accomplishment from the DOS this year was the installation of new signage at the main kiosks warning against unauthorized trail building. After being promptly removed by someone, these signs were replaced. All other priority infrastructure issues remain under review by staff.
Regarding paid parking, the DOS has delayed implementation for the Smoke Bluffs pending the results of the Darrell Bay pilot project, which are expected at the end of 2026.
Goals for 2026:
Continue advocating for climbing as the primary focus of Smoke Bluffs Park.
Advocate for an increase in capital project and maintenance expenditures.
Advocate for a new Management Plan in 2026.
Prevent the introduction of paid parking at the Smoke Bluffs.
FMCBC
The Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, who have significant land holdings in the Smoke Bluffs, have a Smoke Bluff advisory committee which is made up of representatives from their member clubs and the Squamish Access Society. The purpose of this committee is to make recommendations to the Federation’s Board of Directors regarding options for the transfer of their land to the DOS or another entity which would ensure and safeguard climbers access and provide long term protection of the bluffs.
SḴWX̱WÚ7MESH ÚXWUMIXW (SQUAMISH NATION)
SAS continued to support the St’a7mes Youth Climbing program and approved funding to support an emerging youth climbing initiative being developed by Auston Chor, in collaboration with the St’a7mes School. SAS committed $1,000 toward this program, and Auston lead an indoor climbing day with the youth and volunteer parents. This initiative reflects a continued interest in supporting opportunities for Squamish Nation youth to experience climbing.
This year also coincided with several significant developments, including the release of the Shannon Basin Visitor Use Management Plan and ongoing land agreements between the Squamish Nation and the Province of British Columbia. These developments will have long-term implications for recreation and access in critical areas (i.e., Shannon Falls and Stawamus Chief Provincial Park), and they underscore the importance of thoughtful engagement moving forward.
Rather than advancing multiple new initiatives, the committee focused on internal alignment within SAS. A dedicated Board discussion was held in November to clarify values, and responsibilities. This conversation was an important step toward transparency and organizational self-awareness, and it highlighted both opportunities and challenges for future collaboration.
Moving forward, priorities include:
Continue to support opportunities for Sḵ wx̱wú7mesh youth
Work with the Nation to identify common ground and shared objectives, and reach mutually satisfactory solutions where issues are identified.
Supporting education within the climbing community around cultural awareness and land stewardship.
BC Parks
• In 2025, the SAS’s BC Parks committee continued to have monthly meetings with the BC Parks Area Supervisor and Senior Park Ranger for the Squamish area. These provide opportunities to discuss issues in the parks related to climbing and plan trail work and maintenance.
• Unlike previous years, SAS did not obtain a Parks Enhancement Fund grant in 2025. The projects applied for were expansion of the WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag program and upgrades to the skywalker descent trail. These projects were then funded by SAS.
• All rock fall closures in place since the 2021 rockfall incidents have been lifted.
• We continue to support the BC Parks peregrine falcon monitoring program by urging climbers to repot falcon sightings and communicating falcon closures, as well as the bat monitoring program reporting bat sightings in cliff habitats
• The WAG bag program in BC Parks was expanded in 2025. Dispensers were installed on the Slhanay approach trail, Sheriff’s Badge approach trail (to service both the routes and bouldering areas), at the base of the Papoose and at the base of Klahanie Crack at Shannon Falls. BC Parks staff is helping with stocking WAG bags.
• The list of projects to be carried out in the Park in 2026 is still to be finalized.
Events
February - Real Rock Film Screening
SAS attended the Real Rock film screening to promote membership and engage with the local climbing community.
May - Photography Showcase
SAS hosted a photography showcase as a membership drive and fundraiser at the Brackendale Art Gallery.
August - Tommy Caldwell Book Signing with Elderid
SAS supported a book signing and raffle fundraiser with Tommy Caldwell, which was a particularly successful fundraising event.
August - Arc’teryx Academy
SAS hosted a booth at Arc’teryx Academy to share information about access and to recruit new members.
Trail work and Amenities
This year we completed 10 trail days, with 50 volunteers and 291 hours. We had high, positive engagement with our followers on social media over each of the projects. Trail building is our highest engagement for volunteers and with social media posts. This aligns to our findings in our 2025 Survey results.
Paradise valley boulders (Crystal method)
Added a new foot bridge to access the boulders. Replaced a log crossing. Much excitement from the community about this project. This project was funded through the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC. 8 volunteers – 40 hrs
Shannon Falls Pools Trail
Improved steep/dangerous sections lower towards Klahanie Crack. Chain and rebar steps added to the steep slab. Weathered rope replaced with chain for some of the lower sections towards Shannon Falls Wall. 1 volunteer – 20 hrs
Murrin loop trail near Quercus
Steps to guide people along the trail up from the area at the top of stairs. 7 volunteers – 35 hrs
Hermitage
50 meters of old ropes replaced with chain on the steep sections of the trail from Echo Beach. Bolts added so that there is a handline where needed. 3 volunteers – 12 hrs
Brohm Dome
Box steps added near base of trail to improve the trail and reduce erosion. 8 volunteers – 40 hrs
Foundation Wall
Terraces at base area are eroding away, some exposed rebar. Added in a new retaining wall and flattened the area. This project was funded by Arc’Teryx. 12 volunteers – 100 hrs
WAG Bag dispensers
Added 4 new WAG Bag dispensers this year: Slhanay trail, Sheriff's Badge, Papoose, and Shannon Falls Wall. 6 volunteers – 40 hrs
Mamquam Entrance Signs
One more sign added to Mamquam bouldering entrances at Action Man. 4 volunteers, 4 hours.
Rebolting
Squamish Rock Guides were contracted to carry out 2 days of anchor replacement and rebolting work. Work was focused on the Grand Wall and all the anchors on the main Grand wall route and rappel line from the pillar down were replaced. Work on the Grand Wall and adjacent variations will be continued in 2026 and will include updates to numerous protection bolts.
WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag program
• The WAG bag program was expanded in 2025 (as stated above under BC Parks). Dispensers are currently located at Area 44, the Top Shelf approach trail, The Farm bouldering area, the Slhanay approach trail, Sheriff’s Badge approach trail, North and South Apron approaches, on Mt Habrich (at the summit of Polar Dome and another at the base of the Habrich approach trail), the base of the Papoose and at the base of Klahanie Crack at Shannon Falls.
• SAS used all 500 Wag bags purchased in 2025 to stock dispensers. Keeping dispensers stocked remains to be a challenge.
Economic Impact Study
2025 was the data acquisition year for the Economic Impact project. Two data sets were accumulated separately. A paid sampler conducted interviews with climbers at the cliffs, of which the primary quantitative component was spending within the town by climbing visitors. Volunteers counted climbers, both directly at cliffs and by counting cars at popular climbing parking areas. Both exercises were judged successful with more than sufficient data acquired to proceed to the analysis stage. At the time of writing the analysis was underway. The final result is anticipated to be released in spring 2026.
Communications
Instagram/Facebook
We continue to use Facebook and Instagram to share updates and events. We have included an additional platform, Threads due to its compatibility with Instagram and ease of sharing information. With no additional work, we saw 559 new followers added on Threads. We saw a large increase in followers and engagement on Instagram (830 new followers: 4371-> 5201) this year and only a very small increase and low engagement on Facebook (126 new followers: 3296->3422). We should continue to monitor Facebook and decide if we want to continue to use this platform as it is becoming an out of date platform.
With our new NeonOne CRM system, we created 4 newsletters this year, highlighting events and projects that we worked on. We focused on seasonal information that was topical and useful. Additional newsletters were requested from our members in the feedback from our Survey last year.
Goals for 2026:
Photo competition to gather more photos for future social posts
Create a photo repository for future social posts
Add another social platform to focus on a younger demographic – Discord. The plan is to join with Vancouver Climbers Association and their already established Discord Channel with ~500 users. We will rename the server so that it reflects both SAS and VCA members. We will also add additional channels to include Squamish area gyms and partner finding. The goal is to do this as part of the membership drive
Conclusion
We want to extend a huge thanks to everyone involved in SAS this year. Countless hours went into the work done in 2024. It was great to have many new faces on the board and associate team, bringing new energy and skills into the mix.
We also want to thank our membership for their support and engagement. We hope to deliver more successes in 2025 and continue to improve as an organization.
The SAS Board
By paying just ten dollars for a membership, you will support the continued efforts of your Squamish Access Society.