Catherine and Olivier in Squamish Round Two

This is the most recent update through from Quebec based blurr ambassadors Catherine Vaillancourt and Olivier Turgeon in the midst of a five week road trip to our our hometown of Squamish...

When we first decided to come to Squamish, it didn’t feel overly excited. Not that I don’t like Squamish. Au contraire. I think it’s the most beautiful climbing area in Canada. It’s just that I was too focused on the task at hand, sending a route that I was working on back home. Whenever I had the chance, I drove to the sanatorium, where I climbed until my arms felt heavy and useless.

Catherine and her blurr Cliffside tee, base of the Chief.

Catherine and her blurr Cliffside tee, base of the Chief.

Squamish was kind of a blurry vision in my mind. I did not even look at the guidebook, or check the weather forecast before getting here. I did not prepare at all like I normally do. I was just following Olivier because it was the plan. All I wanted to do was to keep working my project.

Pebble Wrestling

Pebble Wrestling

I think it’s only when the bus dropped us off in downtown Squamish that I finally realized how lucky I was to be in this paradise for five weeks. I had not bouldered in months yet that didn't matter. I was at last coming out of my bubble. I was amazed by the scenery, and of course by the climbing.

The Substrate - Poutine night in the campground at the base of the Chief.

The Substrate - Poutine night in the campground at the base of the Chief.

Now it’s already mid-trip and I am happily shredding my fingertips on the sharp granite, “pebble wrestling” at the base of the Chief, as some trad climbers would put it. Bouldering in Squamish is so much fun because every problem is a puzzle to solve, with intricate sequences and fun movements. I am stoked to be here, cimbing every day, solving these puzzles, and though many other projects await elsewhere, I am happy here, living in the now! 

Cheers!

Catherine

Olivier prepping the white gravy for Poutine night.

Olivier prepping the white gravy for Poutine night.