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Rock climbing festival returns to Squamish

In just three years the Squamish Mountain Festival has grown from a weekend event into an eight-day festival, celebrating all things rocky and steep. Climbers from across North America are expected to attend, and participate in a variety of events.
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In just three years the Squamish Mountain Festival has grown from a weekend event into an eight-day festival, celebrating all things rocky and steep. Climbers from across North America are expected to attend, and participate in a variety of events.

The festival gets underway on Friday, July 13 with the Adopt-a-Crag rehabilitation project. Meet at the Adventure Centre parking lot at 8 a.m. for instructions.

That evening climbers Perry Beckham and Ron Kauk will provide a slideshow called “The past of Squamish and Yosemite”, followed by two short films; Deadline and Return to Balance.

The Squamish Elks will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the Adventure Centre the following morning, followed by a group yoga stretch. There will be a Trade Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Adventure Centre, climbing and bouldering clinics from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and another yoga session at 4 p.m. That evening, European climbers Ines Papert and Josune Bereziartu will be presenting “Women that Rock — The Euros” at Eagle Eye Theatre, followed by four more short films; Ascending Rhythm, The Simplicity Factor, Granite Ocean 2, and Conversing with Aoteroa, New Zealand. The presentation will be followed by a post-screening party at the Howe Sound Brew Pub at 11 p.m.

On Sunday, there will be another 8 a.m. breakfast with the Elks and group yoga stretch, followed by day two of the trade fair. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a DYNO competition in the Squamish Adventure Centre parking lot, as well as more climbing and bouldering clinics. Yoga will again take place at 4 p.m.

On Monday, there will be two feature films in the Squamish Adventure Centre Theatre; First Ascent (USA) and Wings On Your Feet (Switzerland).

Tuesday’s films are Asiemut (Canada) and Paving Shangri La (Bermuda), again at the Squamish Adventure Centre Theatre.

Wednesday night’s activity is the Squamish Photo Shoot-out, hosted at the Howe Sound Brew Pub at 8 p.m. The Shoot-out features some of the top climbing photographers in Western Canada, with each presenting a show lasting eight to 10 minutes, to be followed by a party.

Thursday is Squamish Locals Night at the Eagle Eye Theatre, starting at 7:30 a.m. Climber Kevin McLane will put on a slideshow that goes back to the 1960s and follows the evolution of the sport. Jeff Mottershead will also present a new climb, which is actually an old line that is being revived. The evening will feature local mountain films, past and present, a mini trade fair, and silent auction. The films are No Permanent Address (Festival Edit), Code Three, Yes To the No, and Didier vs. the Cobra.

On Friday the Eagle Eye Theatre will present Alpine Climbing Night, featuring a multi-media presentation by Will Gadd. Once again there will be a mini trade fair and silent auction, as well as short films: Free as a Bird, E11, and I Am Climbing.

On Saturday, the action will return to the Squamish Adventure Centre with people meeting at 8 a.m. for another Adopt-a-Crag project. That night Eagle Eye Theatre will present Big Wall Climbing Night at 7:30 p.m., hosted by Tommy Caldwell. Films shown include A Recent History of First Ascents, Learning to Fly, the Other Face of K2, and Tombstone. The Festival Finale Party will take place back at the Adventure Centre, starting at 10 p.m.

For more information on the Squamish Mountain Festival or advance tickets to events visit www.squamishmountainfestival.com