Climb the Squamish Chief at 50?

August 2009 my 13 year old daughter, Chantel and I took a top roping rock course in Squamish, BC. I have climbed with her for many years in a gym but never on real rock. During the course she climbed extremely well and with high praise from Tim our course instructor. I suggested to Tim that I would like to someday climb the Squamish chief (as it is called by the locals), Tim said I “was ready now” and he would go up as partners. ...Of course I said when?

On the morning of Sept 6th , I met Tim at a small café in Squamish, BC. We planned to climb the classic alpinist route called Angel’s Crest. I had always aspired to climb this giant but felt I was too old for the task. Now 4 months before my 50th birthday I was looking straight up this solid granite wall. The Squamish chief is second to El Captain in Yosemite in the USA as the in highest granite wall in the world.

Angel Crest climb has 14 pitches, is known as the one of the 3 difficult routes and is rated as a 5.10c. This I was going to take every bit on physical energy and mental focus. In 9 hours we climbed, with cold hands, bleeding knees and with a my heart in my throut for an OMG fall on the 13th pitch we made it to the top of the giant. In short an amazing adventure.

Thanks to Tim for leading and coaching. In life it is the journey that is important, not the summit. But I tell tyou he summit sure feels great!