Star Chek good to go again

[Dru]

Although you won't be climbing it until next summer.

 

from the latest CASBC newsletter:

 

Plans for the highway project are nearly complete. The main outstanding issue is the alignment of the highway in front of the Stawamus Chief, and the nature of the interchange there. Otherwise, the focus is shifting to implementation, in particular pro-active communication with contractors and managers as the project proceeds.

 

As part of preliminary work, the Access Society agreed with the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) and B.C. Parks to re-route the Papoose access trail. It is almost complete. The new trail leaves the Shannon Falls Provincial Park access road just before (south) of where it crosses Shannon Creek. A new descent route, along the north shoulder of the Papoose, was also created - it involves scrambling, but a hand line may be placed in key areas. Thanks to Windfirm Tree Services, Jody Alexander, and Matt Woods for their work, to MoT for a grant for the project, and to B.C. Parks (Chris Gooliaff) for help with the route.

 

MoT did considerable work rehabilitating the Gorge (Cheakamus Canyon) this summer, in the area of Galaxy Buttress (StarChek), Gotham City, and the Leaning Tower of Pizza. (The area was affected by construction of the Culliton-Cheakamus section in 2004.) Some slope stabilization was done, a new trail built, and anchors checked. Some stabilization remains, but it appears that the area is now safe to climb at. There is still some loose rock, and all climbers are strongly urged to be alert, and to wear helmets! (There have also been reports of tourists trundling rocks in the area.) Thanks to MoT for its work on this restoration.