A riddle in Squamish, British Columbia has been partly resolved. Last autumn, a revered granite rock utilized by climbers in the region disappeared, causing distress among locals. Known as “Portable,” the rock’s unique shape and weight made it ideal for honing balance and grip skills. According to reports from the Squamish Chief, the community mourned the loss of Portable, a cherished challenge for climbers in the area.
Ethan Salvo, a 23-year-old rock climber from Squamish, expressed his astonishment at the disappearance, noting the sentimental attachment the community had to the rock. Fortunately, Portable has now been located. While on a climbing expedition in Bishop, California, Salvo came across a photo on social media that resembled the missing rock, just a short distance from his campsite.
Salvo identified Portable by its distinctive Canadian drinking hat and goggles, confirming its identity. With the help of a friend, the rock was retrieved and brought back to camp. Salvo, upon reuniting with Portable, immediately recognized its familiar shape and weight, symbolizing a sense of home.
The peculiar journey of Portable to Bishop, California remains a mystery. Salvo speculated that a visitor to Squamish may have inadvertently taken the rock, unaware of its significance to the local climbing community. He now plans to return Portable to its original spot at the base of the Superfly boulder in Squamish.