New Mid-Winter 5.12a at the Squamish Smoke Bluffs
The Bulge is a technical face climb that follows granite edges and smears
Squamish had a cold and snowy start to the winter, but with temps above freezing everyday, climbers are finding dry rock between rainy days. Unlike most of Canada, the Howe Sound’s shoulder season starts around now and lasts until mid-spring.
Jason Green is no stranger to first ascents, as he’d logged many new Squamish routes in the 5.11 and 5.12 range over the years. In 2021, he completed an old project in the Smoke Bluffs called Vulture Culture 5.13.
Green has now completed another new line at the Smoke Bluffs that he’s calling The Bulge. The 5.12a is located at Upper Crag X, where classics like Virgin Soil 5.10c, Outer Mongolia 5.11c and Fingerlickin’ Good 5.11a can be found. It starts up X-Ray, a 1981 trad route that climbs the groove and corner on the left side of the cliff, before going left up the aesthetic face.
Green says The Bulge “is of high quality and you’re still able to find new gems in The Bluffs.” Be sure to follow Green on Instagram below for more west coast content.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
