PRINT: Rock Climb Rambles, Squamish

Rambles

5.8-, Trad, 300 ft (91 m), 4 pitches,

Avg: 2.4 from 228 votes
FA: J. Frimer, G. Corbett, C. Eduljee
International > N America > Canada > British Columbia > Squamish > Stawamus Chief > Apron > Lower Apron

Access Issue: SIGNIFICANT ROCK FALL CLOSURES - UPDATED Feb 29th 2024 Details

For the most up-to-date information about closures in the Stawamus Chief Park, please refer to the following link: bcparks.ca/stawamus-chief-p…

The closures posted on this Mountain Project page are the latest according to the date mentioned above.

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TRAIL TO THE PROW AND ECHELON WALL VIA THE SHERIFF'S BADGE CLOSURE

Due to a rockfall event on April 17, 2023, the approach/access trail to the Prow and Echelon wall via the Sheriff’s Badge have been impacted. Please stay out of this area until the full extent of this event has been determined.

Posted April 17, 2023

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Due to multiple significant rockfalls in the North Wall, Slhanay, Grand Wall, and Western Dihedrals climbing areas of Stawamus Chief, a large number of climbing routes and bouldering areas are currently closed until further notice. Efforts are underway to assess and remove hazards in the hopes of opening some of these areas soon.

NORTH WALL CLOSURE

The following routes in this area remain closed until further notice due to a large rock fall event. All routes between Lunar Tide and Polaris on the upper Zodiac Wall, as well as all routes between Parallel Universe and Polaris on the Lower Zodiac Wall. The Climb known as Angel’s Crest is open, please be cautions on the approach and avoid the debris field to the left.

Climbing Route Closure Map: nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/k…

GRAND WALL BOULDERS CLOSURE

Due to hazards created by significant rockfall events the following bouldering areas(and associated trails) remain closed until further notice. Lipsmack: Black Sabbath & Halfway Around the world, Octogon: Kemoslabby and Viper: Old and Serious, Beachcomber & Towlie.

Boudlering Closure Map: nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/k…

WESTERN DIHEDRALS CLOSURE

Due to hazards created by significant rockfall events the following climbing routes between Teenage wasteland and Deadend Dihedral remain closed until further notice. Including: The Black Dyke, The Gauntlet, The Façade, Sticky Fingers, Sunset Strip, Millenium Falcon, Rutabaga, Turnip Arrowroot, and Europa.

Climbing Route Closure Map: nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/k…

Updated June 30, 2023

Access Issue: Camping Details

The popularity of Squamish within the #vanlife community has increased to the point that there is great concern about the group’s collective environmental impact. “Wild” or “Freedom” camping has become unmanageable environmentally because of the high numbers of campers. This is a serious issue that causes conflict between locals, home owners, and climbers!

VAN CAMPING / WILD CAMPING

Within District Boundaries

The  District of Squamish PROHIBITS camping within the municipal boundary. This includes sleeping in a vehicle anywhere within District boundaries. A bylaw gives the District the power to issue tickets for contraventions.

Camping on urban / residential streets is prohibited under pre-existing bylaws.

The “hot spots” that have been of most concern are below.

· The whole of the Mamquam Forest Service Road under the North Walls of the Chief between the junction with the 99 and junction with the Stawamus/Indian Arm Forest Service Road (as a salmon run and sensitive riparian area, camping close to the Stawamus River is especially inappropriate)

· The Powerhouse Springs Road including the parking area for the Fern Hill cliff

· The dirt road to the kitesurfing “Spit.”

Outside of District Boundaries

If you explore forest roads in crown land outside the municipal boundaries, it may be possible to find discreet roadside sites suitable for tents or van camping. However, the provincial authorities do have some restrictions ;

· Stays are limited to 14 days.

· Campers should follow Leave No Trace principles. HUMAN WASTE is a major issue.

· Strictly observe any current fire bans.

DESIGNATED CAMPGROUNDS

Please see the District of Squamish website for a comprehensive list of designated campgrounds.

Recommended affordable camping:

- At the Chief: Stawamus Chief Provincial Park Campground BC parks site, spots start at $10.00 CAD/person. No reservations.
- 7 minutes north: Mamquam River Campground A non-profit site, spots start at $15.00cad/night for a drive-in site. Reservations recommended, not required.
- 20 minutes north: Chek Canyon Recreation Site A public site; no fees, no reservations and world class sport-climbing. No running water. The road is steep and rough but 4x4 not required

Description

A fun, easy ramble to the base of Diedre, Banana Peel, and other classics on the Apron. Good to make those climbs into 10p 5.8 routes. Or do Rambles on its own and rap off. A good first multipitch climb. Might be the shortest approach to a multipitch in Squamish.

Three rappels to descend:

P4 to P2 anchor
P2 anchor to finish of Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse to ground

Location

Base of the Apron, below Diedre, left of Bottom Line.
From the Apron Parking Lot, walk 40m south along the Apron Connector until an obvious trail goes up to the base.
Either rap down or finish up the Apron and walk off.

Protection

standard rack + bolts. All anchors are bolted. Rap chains.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

topo

Pitch 2.

Start of first pitch, very fun warm up to start the day

the crux of Rambles (5.8) on p4.<br>
Short and steep. Exciting!

the crux of Rambles (5.8) on p4. Short and steep. Exciting!

Top of pitch 2 or 1 if linking into two pitches

end of P2 of Rambles (5.7)

P1 of Rambles (5.7)

Jack Hughes cranks the crux

Crux on Pitch 4.

Pitch 3.

The easy way.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Mark Roberts
Vancouver, BC

5.6

Easily done in two pitches. Good fun, it's going to be a popular one. Belay at a tree after the fourth pitch to avoid climbing past your anchor when your second is done.

Thanks again Dr. Frimer, we'll miss you. May 7, 2012

Matt Hoffmann
Squamish

5.8

Pretty fun and straightforward. Best done as 2 pitches or simul the whole thing. Oct 12, 2012

Ryan Lynne

A nice way to tack on a few extra pitches on your way up the Apron. As mentioned in the previous comments, it is easily done in two pitches and is perhaps more aesthetic to do so. Great route to teach beginners on. Jul 3, 2016

Jordan Lenham
Brit who calls Cedar by the…

Highly recommend to do in two pitches. Great start to the day. Best to belay of trees on final pitch Jun 13, 2017

Alex Fletcher
Las Vegas

John Wilder! Of all the places to run into a comment of yours. Jul 18, 2018

Gabe O'Leary
Seattle, WA

The "10a/b" variation to the last pitch felt more like 5.9 to me. A bit of a one move wonder. Aug 7, 2018

DrRockso RRG
Red River Gorge, KY

More like 5.5, perhaps one 5.8 move at the top. Good one to simul. Aug 3, 2019

Brock Michael
Squamish, BC

5.8

Good climb but overbolted on the last section. Probably only needed half as many. Sep 6, 2019

Raina H
Portland, OR

Was a good warm up rather than hiking to the start of Diedre. (We somehow beat the crowd and hopped right onto Diedre.) The crux was on the 4th pitch getting over the ledge. Nov 9, 2019

Uknown Unknown
Vancouver, BC

Was like a 5.6. Doesn't eat gear much, just run it out. Was a fun climb though. 80% route is bolted. Variation was like a 5.8d lol. No gear needed on the variation, would be a waste of time Jul 4, 2021

mikeg542

Very chill intro to multi pitch. At the top of the first pitch it started pouring rain, but we finished anyway because it really didnt make anything harder. I think I placed a 0.75 on the first pitch and only used bolts for the rest - very short pitches but great practice Oct 19, 2021