I went on a hike with Austin & David to the Chief at Squamish, BC.
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The Chief is a massive hunk of granite that overlooks the town of Squamish on the road to Whistler. It is the rocks immediately on the other side of 99. We climbed all three peaks.
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The hike is challenging and is extremely vertical. Right at the beginning you had to climb up on a rock to get to the stairs. They also had a sign cautioning people not to do the hike unless they were prepared.
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And the stairs were literal.
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The trail was very well made. The stairs continued, but mostly it was steps made from locally found rocks. It was also quite dim under the trees.
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We came to a cool balancing rock.
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We tried to climb it, but this day it wasn't easy to grip, so we played safe.
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Near the second peak, we went up an area that I called the cathedral. Rock walls on both sides. Again extremely vertical and also echoing.
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It was open and easy to move around on top. Garibaldi and the rest of the view was fantastic.
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The sides overlooking Squamish and Howe Sound were smooth granite drop-offs.
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They are popular with rock climbers.
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A bowl in the rock made this tarn - and a beautiful photo-op.
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There is a split between each of the peaks. Along the trail, it is not much of a climb between them. However they drop off quickly on either side. Can you see Austin lying down looking over the edge?
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This spine came off the ridge of the right side of the last picture. It is like a vertical saw blade. This hike is not for those afraid of heights - especially this spot.
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Garibaldi again between the peaks.
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By the last peak, we were quite tired, but the beauty was worth it.
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