A riddle has been unraveled in Squamish, B.C. Last autumn, a treasured granite stone used by climbers in the region disappeared. Known as Portable, the rock was adored by locals for its ideal shape and size, perfect for enhancing balance and grip skills.
Portable, weighing 32 kilograms, has been discovered following its mysterious vanishing act. The disappearance had left the community in shock and bewilderment, considering the sentimental value attached to the rock.
During a climbing expedition in Bishop, Calif., Ethan Salvo, a 23-year-old climber from Squamish, stumbled upon a photo on social media depicting the missing rock, located just a short distance from his campsite. The rock, adorned with a Canadian drinking hat and goggles, was unmistakably Portable.
Initially doubting the authenticity of the image, Salvo requested a friend to verify its whereabouts. To his surprise, the rock was indeed present, donning its familiar Canadian drinking hat. Salvo’s friend retrieved the rock and brought it back to their camp, where Salvo joyfully reunited with Portable, recognizing it by its unique features and weight.
The peculiar journey of Portable to California remains a mystery, with Salvo speculating that a visitor to Squamish may have unknowingly taken it last summer. Nonetheless, Salvo plans to reunite Portable with its rightful place at the base of the Superfly boulder in Squamish.