Saturday, June 27, 2015

Kickstarting the Squamish Summer


June.

Wow, WHAT a month. For a time of year that is typically soggy and sloshed over with rain, June 2015 was amazing. With only four days of “rain” over the four weeks we’ve been in Squamish so far, we’ve lucked out pretty good for climbing.

We have had a whirlwind of fun times with some pretty stellar folks so far……

We jump-started our month by celebrating the marriage of this fine climbing couple:
Tristan sending "Killing Me Softly" (V6), and Mika bearing down on the crimps of "Lounge Act" (V6)
Our friend Josh, who we met in Bishop this winter, came up to boulder for a week:
Josh compresses the heck out of "Child Abuse" (V4)
We spent many a day with great friends from Vancouver:
Cory maneuvers through some techy explorations of "Shaving with a Knife" (5.13a),
and Mico snags a proud onsight of "C is for Safe" (5.11d)
Cynthia pulls into the first move on "The Fuzz" (V7),
and Julie cranks through crimps on the classic "Crystal Method" (V5)
Babies!! Mark teaches his little ones a thing or two, and young Annabelle presses out a sickie mantel ;)


First times!! Alex introduces Dia to the fun and joy of outdoor rock climbing at Forgotten Wall.
Yannick finesses up the "Vorpal Sword" (5.12d) and Simon tops out a great send of "The Rookie" (V8)
Had some awesome sessions with fellow Squamish-summer-residents:
Boulderers caught sport climbing? Pat tackles the first bulge of "Funkytown" (5.12c)
Megan gets a quick tick of "Timeless" (V5) before the rain, and Mario works out the moves on "Lounge Act" (V6)
Stolen from her facebook... Aly has been crushing trad routes in Squamish - can't wait to climb with her more!
And made some wonderful new travelling friends too:
Amanda on "The Fuzz" (V7). Damn girl! Those calves though! :D
Alex on "The Fuzz" (V7)

*** 
Our goal was to spend most of the month bouldering before jumping into more trad and sport climbing in July and August, based on the theory that it would be cooler in June. The plan kind of worked and we managed to beat the surprising heat by hiding in the forest most days and racking up when those slopers were just feeling too greasy slopey.

Graham had a great month, ticking a number of classic boulder problems. He is working towards his goal of climbing all the “Top100” problems V10 and below!
Working out the moves on the Top100 problem "Physics Hyperbole" (V9)
Topping out the Top100 "Storm Troopers" (V8) in Paradise Valley
Another one of Graham’s goals is to tick every route at the Forgotten Wall in Cheakamus Canyon. He’s making awesome progress in this regard with only three routes left to go.
"Redneck Shootout" (5.13a)
Graham also hit a bouldering milestone this month, with a send of his tenth V10. Woohoo!
One of two V10s Graham sent this month, "Mr. Bigglesworth Low"

Kim similarly had a great month. She made quick work of a number of her long outstanding boulder projects in the V4 to V6 range, and found some new projects that piqued her interest as well.
Kim on the send of "Lounge Act" (V6)
She also reached two of her major climbing life goals within just a few days of each other. On June 21 she sent her first V7, “The Fuzz”, and three days later she sent her first 5.13a, “Just Can’t Do It”. These moments of ecstasy and disbelief are leading into what is sure to be an exciting summer.
"The Fuzz", Kim's first V7
"Just Can't Do It", Kim's first 5.13a
Next up is a quick turn-around on the Island, and then we’ll be on our way to Canmore until mid-July.

xx
Graham and Kim