Climb the Chief in Squamish

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Rock climbing is more than just a sport; it’s problem solving on-the-go. It’s a balance of intuition and fluidity of movement. The fun comes from the possibilities — each route with a variety of options and only a fraction of them leading to success. When you finally master a climb, after hours of practice, it transcends mere sport and is akin to art.

Adding that to the fact that Squamish is one of the best rock climbing locations in the world, is there really any reason not to try it out?

What you get in this adventure:

• An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• A full day of rock climbing
• All technical climbing gear

All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:

• Helmet
• Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
• Rock shoes* (included in the price, but we recommend bringing your own if you have them)
• Ropes
• Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35L bag)
• Water bottle and 1L of water
• Food you can eat on-the-go
• Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
• Sunglasses
• Camera — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

If you’ve never climbed before, we recommend taking an introduction to climbing course or spending a day with a guide learning the basics prior to booking this adventure. The Chief is not for first-time climbers, but if you have some experience and have topped a minimum of 5.6, there are routes that you can successfully complete with the help of a guide. Let a guide plan the perfect day and focus on safety, so you can focus on having fun.

The exact itinerary will be discussed after booking as guides make that decision after considering the skill level of the group, individual objectives, and factors such as crag traffic and weather. It will take a long day to climb The Chief, but in general, your day will look like this:

• 8:30 AM: Meet your guide at the Squamish Adventure Centre
• 9:00 AM: Gear up, travel to Smoke Bluffs Park and head out to the crag (two-minute drive, ten-minute hike)
• 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM: Climb your objective for the day, stopping for lunch and breaks as needed
• 6:30 pm: Back to the cars for debriefing and high fives

The Chief is for intermediate to experienced climbers. You will need a good level of fitness to accomplish this climb as you will be moving for a minimum of three hours on the rocks plus some additional hiking. Even though rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength, the Chief will test you. Be prepared for a full day of strenuous climbing.

• If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

For this adventure, client to guide ratio is 2:1. Climbing days can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

In most cases, costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with a friend.

Squamish is known for rain, so be prepared to accommodate Mother Nature. As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation.” You can expect your guides to be fully prepared for anything. Inclement weather can always get in the way of climbing, but your guide will know the best spots to move to if the weather takes a turn.

On the rare occasion of truly bad weather, your guide will present you with suitable alternatives. The most common practice is to move to a nearby location if it exists, or to reschedule your climbing to a more favorable day.

If climbing is not possible on your scheduled day and no options presented are viable, you will be issued a full refund.

With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.

For this adventure, 57hours offers a Moderate Cancellation Policy, which states:

If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations fourteen (14) to twenty nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations zero (0) to thirteen (13) days in advance, the Client is not entitled to any refund.

For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.

Squamish is a one-hour drive north of Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway. On the day of your Chief climb, you will meet at the Squamish Adventure Centre and make your way as a group to the crag.