On October 6th, 2010, Chris Swetland and Aaron Kristiansen put up a new route called “Face to Face,” a 5.10d sport route on the Raspberry Wall, Arrow Lakes. Just as he started the route Chris kicked a hornet’s nest and he and Aaron were swarmed. Turn up the volume to enjoy the profanity and hilarity.

So as of last Monday I am no longer a resident of the West Kootenays. Chrissy and I packed our things, handed the keys to our Castlegar home to our real estate agent and headed west to the grey skies of Squamish. If ever you’re in town don’t hesitate to come for a visit. Our [...]

Madame Butterfly 5.10a sport (two stars, we’re not biased!). FA Mike Curran and Hamish Mutch, July 24, 2010; 60 m rope required (pitches are just under 30 m each) Approach – from access trail for the left side climbs at Waterfall Wall, go across sloping ledge and follow trail which dips down across sloping grass [...]

Here is a list of the 30+ (!) new routes that have been developed at the Arrow Lakes area in the past year. Photo topos will be available later, but in the meantime this document contains all the written access info you’ll need to play in this “Skaha V.02″ area. Enjoy! The Arrow Lake Bluffs [...]

I’m a sucker for puns and rhyming. So you can imagine how delighted I was that my suggestion for the name “Cat Wall” stuck. Prepare for a plethora of kitty puns  ;) Feline Fine is currently the second route on the left of the main wall, just right of Cat Burglar (12b mixed). The route [...]

I’m not the only one who’s said it. And even if you haven’t thought it, you probably know where I’m talking about: Arrow Lakes. The rock is clean (mostly), definitely featured and there is  lots and lots of it. In the last 4 months, 30+ new routes have gone up at 3 new crags: The [...]

With my financial situation unable to support me blowing hundreds of dollars on hardware, I’ve decided that even though I don’t have money or a job, I do have energy, time and shovel. So over these last few days, when it hasn’t been poring with rain I’ve ventured off to The Waterline ready for a [...]

It never ceases to amaze me that I live in a place where I can drive from my home and be at the base of crag in few minutes, only to step off a paved road, walk 20 meters to a rock face and embark on a ground up first accent of a naturally clean [...]