A riddle in Squamish, B.C., has been partially unraveled. Last autumn, a cherished granite boulder frequented by climbers mysteriously disappeared. Known as Portable, this rock was adored by locals for its ideal shape and size, perfect for honing balance and grip skills.
Ethan Salvo, a 23-year-old climber from Squamish, shared with CBC’s As It Happens that Portable had been a fixture in the community for much longer than he could remember. The sudden vanishing of the rock left the climbing community bewildered and dismayed. However, the missing boulder, Portable, has now been located.
During a climbing expedition in Bishop, Calif., Salvo came across a social media post featuring a photo of a rock resembling Portable, situated a short distance from his campsite. He recognized the rock sporting a Canadian drinking toque and distinct accessories. Upon confirming its identity with a friend, the rock was retrieved and brought back to the campsite.
Salvo’s emotional reunion with Portable, estimated to weigh around 32 kilograms, was marked by a sense of familiarity and belonging. Despite doubts about its authenticity, Salvo emphasized the unique bond between climbers and their environment, suggesting an uncanny ability to recognize specific rock features by touch alone.
The puzzling journey of how Portable ended up in California remains unclear, with Salvo speculating that a visitor to Squamish unwittingly removed it last summer. Nevertheless, he plans to restore Portable to its original spot at the base of the Superfly boulder in Squamish.