Crest Creek Crags - Vancouver Island

After a highly successful x-ray data collection at the University of Victoria, Teresa and I headed up to the center of Vancouver Island to spend a couple of days climbing at Crest Creek Crags in the lovely Starthcona provincial park. It was really fun to go back there, as its one of the places I first stared sport climbing back in the early 2000s. 

Its great, with over 150 routes, many of them in the 5.10 range. There is a nice mixture of sport and gear protected routes, and an excellent manicured trail system, reminiscent of Smith Rock.

Approaching the crags in the woods. Nice and shady!

Signs pointing to the various crags. Luxury!

Teresa cleans a sport route

We did a ton of climbing, about 3 days. We climbed a ton of enjoyable routes on perfect basalt. A very mellow and relaxing place to climb! We stayed in the village of Gold River, a quaint and quiet place to stay. In addition to the climbing we also explored the town's water front and did a bit of hiking at Strathcona Provincial Park. 

One of my favorite little towns on the island

Gold River waterfront

ok

Didn't really see that many flowers, but it was a grunt up to the ridge!

Hiking

A very calm Buttle Lake