Squamish Cracking down on Climbers free camping spots

[squamish climber]

The District of Squamish seems determined not to allow a repeat of last summer’s dirt baggers paradise see Stawamus River Climbers Camp Mess. While a majority of the climbers seemed to keep the free camping spot neat and clean, a group tainted the image of the Squamish climbing community when they left trash, sleeping structures and feces at the end of climbing season.

An article in the Squamish Chief paper notes “No Camping” signs have gone up at the Stawamus River site and other illegal camping areas. The District has also asked the RCMP to step up enforcement.

I wonder where climbers looking for free camping will go this year? It better be on Crown land outside the district and not on municipal land.

The climbing community itself should stay on top of this by alerting the Squamish Access Society or Climbers Access Society of BC before a climbers camping area becomes a problem.

Maybe the time is coming when there will need to be another affordable campground for climbers besides the Chief Campground. What do people think?

[Peter]

It's already happening. There was a very large settlement, just north of the Clean boulders. Except they were NOT climbers. They actually set up right on top of a boulder problem (can't remember which boulder). Trees were cut down, lots of garbage etc. Apparently, the main person said he was "kicked out of his apartment". It was reported and they were told to leave. We have to be careful in assuming that it's always just climbers, it's a popular spot for anyone wanting a free place to live.

[Sunday]

I ran into the person who was kicked out of an apartment in Valley cliff as well. Far from climbers just local young kids without jobs/hobbies/parents/friends that keep them out of trouble. It was the same group that caused the issue last fall, they were camped on the west side on the river bed.

Definitely unfortunate for the clean campers. Back in my day of Dirtbagging in squamish we cleaned up and stashed all our camping gear every day... didn't take more than 20 minutes a day really