Nicolum Knob

Photo taken from the highway at some of the main r...

Description 

The rock faces south so receives direct sun most of the year and can be especially hot in July and August. The top is exposed and windy at times and the bottom is somewhat protected by the wind. Crowds are non-existent despite the relatively easy fifteen minute approach from the Coquihalla Highway. Rock type is granite and has generally finer crystals then Squamish, making the friction climbs a little more challenging.

Getting There 

The safest way, and the way that is encouraged to avoid difficulties with the authorities is to park five minutes away from the cliff on the shoulder of the on-ramp to highway five (the Coquihalla Highway). This is the on-ramp you would take to head north on highway five towards Merritt if you were coming from Manning Park on the Hope-Princeton highway (highway three). To get there from the lower mainland or the Fraser Valley head east on highway one (Trans-Canada) past Hope until it is possible to exit onto highway 3 (just a few minutes beyond Hope). Almost immediately, look for the Nicolum Creek campsite to the left. Once in front of the campsite turn back towards Hope (once again on highway three) looking for an exit for highway five to driver's right. Park anywhere along the shoulder of this descending on-ramp so you can cross Nicolum Creek on foot, walking along the side of the highway. Just after the highway crosses the creek look for some small hubcaps marking the beginning of the trail to the bluff. The hubcaps are nailed to a small tree just to the right of the highway ditch and the end of the highway barriers.

The Classics

Featured Route For Nicolum Knob

Land Down Under 5.10a  International : Canada : ... : Nicolum Knob

An excellent thin crack leading to a wider layback flake forming the left side of a prominent pillar. Near the top of the pillar, clip the route's single bolt and move right onto the arete, then hand traverse right to a ledge with a bolted anchor....[more]   Browse More Classics in International