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Fair Island: Newfoundland’s Remote Bouldering

While Newfoundland’s Fair Island is 7,500 kilometres from Squamish, the two areas have a lot in common – both have world-class Canadian granite climbing.

In July, climbers traveled to Fair Island as part of an Alpine Club of Canada Newfoundland/Labrador trip.

Over a dozen climbers gathered on docks in Bonavista North waiting for fisherman to shuttle them across Bonavista Bay to the re-settled fishing village on Fair Island.

The remote island is about 12 kilometres from from the main land.

Climbers on one of the many new problems on Fair Island. Photo Greg Locke
Climbers on Fair Island. Photo Greg Locke 

Fair Island was once called Vere Island and in 1681 had nearly 20 people living on it.

For two days, the climbers were blessed with nice weather as they sought new boulders and routes. The previously unexplored rock yielded a number of nice routes.

There are now over 50 established problems and a handful of gear and top rope routes. The Alpine Club of Canada’s Nick Collins will surely be organizing another trip next year, visit the Facebook page here to stay up-to-date.

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