The Status of Rock Climbing Across Canada May 2
A brief summary of where climbers will and won't be roping up this weekend, including reopened parks and trails
Rock climbing was never officially banned in Canada during the most extreme covid-19 lockdowns, however parks were closed, access to crags blocked and governments created laws that prohibited people from being within two metres of each other who were not in the same household. All non-essential travel was banned and people were advised to only do low-risk activities.
As we head into May, some places in Canada have eased restrictions and essentially “opened” rock climbing for spring 2020. Whether or not you’re technically allowed to rock climb depends on where you are. There are hundreds of parks, trails, crags and areas where Canadian climbing is found, below is a broad summary of what’s happening in Canada’s most popular rock climbing provinces.
B.C.
Parks are closed. Minister George Heyman said the province needs to balance reopening some parks with the risk that people will begin travelling to them and endanger small communities not equipped to handle outbreaks. “We can’t just open them the way they were before because we need clear safety and cleaning protocols for staff and visitors,” Heyman said Thursday. “We need to ensure small communities are not overwhelmed by people who are ignoring advice not to travel unnecessarily and headed to destination parks.”
Rock climbing: Crags in the sea to sky are will remain closed until after May 14, but some areas like Skaha are scheduled to open on May 14, read more here. While there are still climbers getting out, the main attractions are closed. Climbers are still being advised to stay close to home and avoid non-essential travel.
Alberta
Rock climbing in Alberta is almost completely located in provincial and national parks. While the national parks remain closed until May 31, provincial parks opened on May 1. The Alberta Parks website, updated May 1, reads: “Alberta Environment and Parks is taking an incremental approach to relaunching outdoor recreation by easing restrictions on access to outdoor pursuits Albertans love, including provincial parks, camping and public land.”
Rock climbing: Countless crags and mountains are now open to use. Access trails are no longer taped off and climbers can once again go rock climbing. As of May 1, the mountain town Canmore was reporting a huge surge in visitors as trailheads and crags were already being filled with people. While this is exciting news, it is important to keep in mind that social distancing protocols are still in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
Ontario
Parks in Ontario will remain closed until May 31, which means most crags are not open to climbing. Ontario is a big place with nearly 15 million people. Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, issued the following statement on Ontario Parks operations in response to COVID-19: “In order to keep Ontarians safe during this COVID-19 outbreak, our government is extending the closure of Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves to May 31, 2020.
This includes car camping, backcountry camping, roofed accommodations, day use opportunities, access points and all public buildings. Provincial parks and conservation reserves will continue to remain fully closed to all recreational activities. We understand this extension may impact many Ontarians’ plans during the month of May. However, the health and well-being of Ontarians is our government’s number one priority. Although we are making progress to stop the spread, the virus has not yet been contained. As a result, all but essential service workers must continue to stay at home and practice physical distancing.”
Rock climbing: Non-essential travel is discouraged, as are high-risk activities. Rock climbing anywhere in the province is all but closed down for the month.
Quebec
All non-essential travel in Quebec is not permitted. Throughout May, the restrictions will slowly ease, read about the phased plan here. Rock climbing areas in Quebec are mostly found in parks, many of which remain closed.
Quebec climbing’s governing body, the FQME, said on April 30: “You may have heard it yesterday at the provincial government’s press conference: certain regions will begin their gradual reopening next Monday. But non-essential travel is still discouraged and public health recommendations have not changed for climbing and spring skiing activities. Containment is not over and normal life will not return anytime soon, so please continue to follow all measures.
“The FQME is working very hard with the various authorities in order to resume its activities as quickly as possible. We are also working with our partners to put in place recommendations and specific measures for resuming our activities. We need the cooperation of each of you to demonstrate that our community will be able to meet the required sanitary measures when the time comes to resume our activities.”
Rock climbing: With non-essential travel still restricted and many parks closed, rock climbing is limited to what folks can climb near their homes on local open cliffs. For the most part, rock climbing in Quebec will be phased-in to open throughout May and June.
Maritimes
The east coast is slowly re-opening parks and trails to local residents. “We know that getting outdoors for recreation is important for people’s physical and mental health,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “That’s why we are easing some restrictions, while still keeping the majority of our public health directives in place to continue fighting the virus. But I need to be clear: if we see an increase in positive cases or people not continuing to adhere to all the public health measures, the restrictions will return.”
In New Brunswick, Newfoundland and P.E.I., many parks and trails have and are being reopened and it seems most will be good to go by June.
Rock climbing: Ascent New Brunswick wants to ensure that its membership respects the Mandatory Order by complying with the following guidelines: Do not climb or enter any climbing areas if you’re exhibiting symptoms of covid-19, climb exclusively with members of your “two-household bubble,” practice physical distancing at all times by maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and others who are not in your “two-household bubble,” and wash your hands frequently.
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