Squamish 2006: Part 4

8-15-06

Lyn on Worm World Cave [v8] & Raza exiting a worm cave

One of the highlights of the trip was being shown around some of the cool caves underneath a few of the boulder problems on which we were climbing. Tim Doyle, a Squamish local, was kind enough to take us into the deep. The picture of Paul was taken as he was wriggling out of a hole underneath the Worm World Cave - I'm only now realizing that the name of the problem may have something to do with the cavern underneath it. The funny thing is that we have previously sent Cameron down that hole head-first with Paul hanging onto his legs to retrieve items that were accidentally dropped down there. Courtney's brush was the most recent example. Only after Tim showed us the way to get down there via a back entrance did we realize that adults could fit, too, if barely.

Tim took the group on another underground adventure, much to Cameron's delight. Paul, Courtney, Randy, Daniel, Tim, Cam and I went deep under the boulders where it was pitch black and the only way to know where to go was to grab at the person's ankles in front of you. Oh, did I mention that the spaces we were crawling through were often so small that Cameron had a hard time getting through them? Making it out to the light was like being reborn; it was an awesome experience. So great, in fact, that Cameron begged me to take him back through. Without Tim to guide us, we had a little trouble finding our way and Cameron changed his mind about what a great idea it was to crawl around in the dark. We managed to find our way out after a few wrong turns which made emerging into the light an even greater relief. No one else appeared to notice we were missing, which was a little alarming had we really gotten lost down there. Next time, walkie-talkies.

After Paul suggested some alternate beta for the start of Worm World Cave and after watching Courtney crush the problem a few days before, I figured that I might have a chance of doing it. In my typical fashion, I had to try the problem about 79 times and try out 18 beta changes before successfully getting to the top. Thankfully, my climbing friends adhere to the "patience is a virtue" motto in their dealings with me and continue to give good spots on my many attempts - thanks guys!

8-16-06

Lyn on Desire [v0+]

Desire is a 25 foot slab (plus or minus three feet) that sits immediately adjacent to Hwy 99. Vancouver is hosting the winter Olympics in 2010 with all the skiing events taking place in Whistler, a ski resort town about 35 miles north of Squamish. In preparation for the big event, Hwy 99 is being widened to 4-lanes and several large boulders with some excellent boulder problems will be blown to smithereens, including Desire. When Paul saw Desire on our first trip in 2003, he thought that it must be some crazy-hard project due to it's rather massive size. When he checked the guidebook, he was startled to see that it had been climbed and was rated v0+ (mom, v0 is the easiest rating for a boulder problem so this one is not too difficult, at least in theory). So armed with this information, he did what all good bouldering guys do, he sent his girlfriend (me) up it. Now, three years later and after discovering that it was slated to be destroyed, Paul returned, determined to make it up the beautiful and daunting climb before it was too late. Well, he, Randy, Courtney and Daniel all cruised up the climb with no problems since they are all technical wizards and know how to use their feet whilst slab climbing.



Randy Puro on Shots Fired [v4]

Here's a photo of another Squamish "classic" on the Olympic demolition hit list. Our friend, Will, was determined to get up this great climb and in an awesome last day sendfest climbed both Shots Fired and Lounge Act. This was made all the more impressive given that 1, he started his 9-day climbing trip with the stomach flu; 2, half-way through the trip fell from the top of Sloppy Poppy (another Squamish "classic") and bashed his side on some tree roots; and 3, took fewer rest days than even me, which takes some doing. By the end of the trip, he was considered the bionic man.



Courtney on Jim Carrey [v10]/Nick's Traverse [v8]

Here's Courtney on the amazing first moves of Jim Carrey/Nick's Traverse. She styled them, as she does many moves, but the temps and her skin both conspired to keep her from topping out the climb. While Jim Carrey and Nick's Traverse both start with the same 4 technical moves, Nick's Traverse moves out right to better holds. Jim Carrey, however, finishes straight up, through a bad undercling and worse gastons to a very scary and high top-out. We were all very happy that Randy didn't fall at the top. After Paul did Nick's Traverse and had a break for some Game Boy action with Cameron, we all moved over to the Serpent [v10]. While everyone gave it their best, only Randy was able to unlock and do all the moves consecutively and after another heart-in-mouth topout, sent the problem.

8-17-06


Cameron at Brohm Lake

The funny thing about Canada is that there's something in the water that addles your brain. At least I'd like to blame his expression on Canadian water. One thing that is in evidence is a lot of garbage in beautiful locations like Brohm Lake. It's obviously a popular location for copious beer drinking and cigarette smoking, at least that's what I gather from the beer bottles, cans and cigarette butts that litter the banks of the lake. Paul keeps reminding me that Squamish is a little on the rednecky side and I'm sad to report that he's right. For every cool Squamish local I meet, there are a dozen who think a good time out is a case of beer and a fistfight in the cul de sac where our rental is located. Although I haven't seen any cars up on blocks in the front yard, it wouldn't necessarily surprise me if I did. But Squamish has no shortage of natural beauty and it's not called the outdoor recreation capital of Canada for nothing. I just wish they'd get a good sushi restaurant and sell wine at the grocery store.

Today's a rest day, which means no climbing, but lots of time spent on the computer at home playing dice wars, rereading Harry Potter Books, going swimming at the lake, and at least today, eating fish and chips at the Wigam Pier. The fish and chips were fair, the batter being not too greasy but getting a bit soggy after the initial crispness. Cameron managed to finish his plate, including about 2 pounds of chips - he doesn't have that Polish last name for nothing!

-Lyn