They might be called the Golden Scrub Brush Awards, but the event, which honours work in the local climbing community, is as much a get-together as a gala.
Last year, the inaugural event brought in 106 people, and this year, the organizers from the 麻豆社国产Access Society are hoping for closer to 150 people to attend.聽
Part beer-and-burger social, it also pays tribute to the work that goes into building and maintaining areas for people to climb.
鈥淥ften, work in the climbing community is overlooked,鈥� said Chris Small, a director of the 麻豆社国产Access Society who is helping to organize the event.
The awards will help recognize the work of members who put in new climbing routes, but the social component is also important.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more of a way to gather the people who contribute to climbing,鈥� Small said.
In addition, the society will recognize the work of three people in the climbing community.
John Howe was a founder of the early rock-climbing association and is president of 麻豆社国产Search and Rescue.
鈥淗e鈥檚 put up a ton of routes in the community,鈥� Small said.
Jim Sinclair began climbing the area back in the 1960s, according to Small, and played a key role in establishing some of the early routes. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a pioneer,鈥� Small noted.
Finally, Alan Stevenson, otherwise known as 鈥淗evy Duty,鈥� will be recognized for his volunteer efforts to keep areas clean and maintained, as well as putting up new routes.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been a main volunteer at the Smoke Bluffs,鈥� Small said.
The awards have been put together, with nominations coming in to focus on trails that have been established during the past fives years. Often, when it comes to putting in a new climbing route, the work can take 30 or more hours per pitch.
As well as stewardship, the society is an advocacy group, making sure climbing is considered when it comes to development in the area.聽
鈥淭he advocacy role has been a really important part of our history. Stewardship has come in more recently,鈥� Small said.
As an example of advocacy, Small cites negotiations with forestry officials to make changes to a logging cutblock in order to maintain space for climbing activities.
Climbing has a long tradition in Squamish, as does the organization, at least in one form or another. Originally, it formed to work for the creation of the Stawamus Chief as a park, as well as working on Smoke Bluffs Park. 鈥淭he society has been in various forms since the mid- to late-1980s,鈥� Small said.
Now, years later, it is time to honour of this work.聽
The 2nd Annual Golden Scrub Brush Awards take place Saturday (Nov. 21) at Match Eatery and Public House. Advance tickets are available at Climb On and Valhalla Pure.
