A large boulder fell down the Zodiac Wall of the Stawamus Chief in Squamish, British Columbia, on Monday, June 8, 2026 [2].
The incident highlights the inherent risks of climbing in the region, where geological instability can lead to sudden, dangerous rockslides on popular routes.
The rockfall occurred at approximately 9:03 a.m. PT [1]. According to reports, the falling boulder was approximately the size of a small minivan [3]. The event was captured on a local webcam, showing the mass of rock descending the cliff face and creating a visible cloud of dust.
Reports regarding casualties from the event are contradictory. Some outlets, including Pique News Magazine and Yahoo, said that no one was injured [1, 2]. However, The Toronto Star said that two climbers were injured by the rockfall [4]. BC Parks officials said that there are no closures in place at the mountain following the event [5].
This event is not an isolated occurrence for the landmark. There is conflicting data regarding the frequency of such events this year; a CTV News summary identified this as the second slide at the mountain in 2026 [6], while CBC said it was the third such incident [3].
Provincial officials did not attribute the slide to any specific trigger, describing it as a natural rockfall [5, 3]. The Zodiac Wall is a well-known route among the climbing community, making the timing and location of the slide a point of concern for outdoor enthusiasts in the Squamish area.
“The falling boulder was approximately the size of a small minivan.”
The recurrence of rockfalls on the Stawamus Chief suggests an ongoing period of instability on the Zodiac Wall. While officials have not closed the area, the disparity in injury reports and the increasing frequency of slides may prompt the climbing community to exercise higher caution during the summer season.
