The Vancouver Bouldering Society is a passionate crew of climbers working to build community and elevate outdoor bouldering on the granite slopes of the North Shore Mountains and beyond.

Founded in March 2025 by local climbers Noah Jarvis and Aili Storen, the Vancouver Bouldering Society (VBS) was born from a simple desire to shine a light on Vancouver’s quietly epic outdoor bouldering scene. What started as a side project quickly evolved into something more—a full-on movement to build a connected, inclusive climbing community and protect the land.

At the heart of VBS are four core values: community, accessibility, stewardship, and stoke. That means supporting each other on and off the wall, creating welcoming spaces for climbers of all levels, caring for the environment, and spreading the pure joy of bouldering.

Climbing in the North Shore Mountains with protective crash pads

Cheering on a beginner climbing in the North Shore Mountains

Developing on the North Shore

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing done without ropes on small cliffs or boulders, using crash pads for protection. In the North Shore Mountains, developing new boulders is part climbing and part adventure—climbers’ hike through dense forest, searching for granite blocks hidden under layers of moss and forest debris. Once a promising boulder is found, it’s carefully cleaned with brushes and tools to remove moss, dirt, and loose rock, revealing natural features and holds. The first climber to complete a new problem gives it a clever name and suggests a difficulty grade, adding it to the growing collection of challenges shared by the local community.

Support and mentorship with a new climber

Mentorship with a new climber in the North Shore Mountains

Cypress Scramble: Vancouver’s Outdoor Climbing Celebration

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Vancouver Bouldering Society is throwing an exciting grassroots climbing competition. The Cypress Scramble is a one-day, all-levels outdoor bouldering competition in Cypress Mountain.

With 100+ problems scattered through the forest (V0 and up), participants can log accents anytime between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The format is simple: your six best climbs count toward your score, and ties are broken by number of attempts. Categories include Beginner (V0–V2), Intermediate (V3–V5), and Advanced (V6+), with prizes up for grabs in every tier—plus lots of additional raffle prizes.

The $20 entry fee goes straight to North Shore Rescue.

Huge thanks to sponsors: Flashed Climbing, Elios Health, The Hive, Climb On, La Sportiva, Progression, and KAYA, for making the day possible.

Trail Days
This summer, the club is hosting a Trail Day in the Godman Creek area—a shared space used by hikers, bikers, and boulderers alike. We’ll be clearing trails, scrubbing boulders, and removing invasive plants to help preserve access and protect the local ecosystem. Trail Days are a great way to give back, meet other climbers, and leave the forest better than we found it.

Climbing Advocacy
Through ongoing conversations with landowners such as British Pacific Properties (BPP), VBS is working to ensure Cypress’s bouldering zones are protected and thoughtfully managed as the area continues to evolve.

BPP has shown strong support for outdoor recreation and is partnering with VBS to help host the 2025 Cypress Scramble. This collaboration is a great example of how climbers, developers, and landowners can work together to preserve access, minimize impact, and shape a future where recreation and development go hand in hand.

Photography by the Vancouver Bouldering Society