The purpose of MICA is to protect and assist in managing rock climbing areas on Vancouver Island in the area bounded by the Chemainus River, Horne Lake, and Sutton Pass.
We are committed to:
MICA is committed to fostering an inclusive climbing community that is accessible to everyone.
We are guided by these values:
MICA’s board represents a broad spectrum of climbing and our community. From bouldering and sport to trad, alpine and adventurism, our Board members come from diverse backgrounds and share a love of rock.
Climbing in the mid Island has largely been developed and maintained by a small dedicated group. Preceding MICA by more than 20 years, these individuals have, often at their own expense, spent countless hours finding, developing and maintaining crags. These are the true founders of climbing in the mid Island and we honor them, with the deepest gratitude, for their generous service to our community.
Starting a community organization is challenging. When the call was put out, these individuals stepped up to purchase lifetime memberships, helping to ensure that we start off on a strong footing.
These are our lifetime members:
Starting a community organization is challenging. These are our society founders:
Kent began climbing in the alpine 25 years ago with an occasional trip to the crag to practice placing gear. Gradually that changed to an obsession with rock climbing with an occasional trip to the mountains. He has been developing and maintaining the Sunny Side and Dark Side crags since 2015.
Ryan started putting up new routes in Nanaimo in the late 90’s. His passion for route discovery evolved into writing the guidebook for Nanaimo. He continues to be very active in new route creation around Nanaimo.
Greg has been an active climber for the past 45 years. He began developing trails and routes at the Sunny Side in 1995 and the Dark Side in 1996. Greg was a Director for CASBC for about 8 years and has developed and maintained multiple climbing crags in the mid Island area.
Nathaniel has contributed countless hours of work putting up routes and building trails, mostly at the Dawg Wall and Wakesiah Wall. He continues to be active in climbing area development in Nanaimo.
One of the original outdoor route developers in Nanaimo, Ray started bolting sport routes in Nanaimo in the late eighties. He continues to guide rock climbing in BC with his company Solstice Alpine Guides.
Jon was one of the founding owners of the Romper Room climbing gym. He ran the operation for many years until 2004. He also bolted a smaller number of outdoor routes.
One of the original route developers in Nanaimo, Jody started bolting sport routes in Nanaimo and can be credited with the early climbs at the Nanaimo River. Along with Tony Fitzsimmons she also wrote the original guidebook for Nanaimo climbing that was published in 1996.
Jonathan is one of the original developers and advocates for climbing in the mid Island area, a passion which continues to this day both in developing routes and projects, and as the owner of Nanaimo’s only climbing gym, Romper Room.
Chris established many routes at various crags in the early years of outdoor climbing in Nanaimo.
Whelm has been a climber for 8 years and started MICA as a way to give back to the community and sport he holds so dear. An entrepreneur, business manager and consultant, Whelm has worked in the arts, media, law, agriculture and cannabis.
Favorite local climb? Last summer I fell in love with Boogie Chillin’ 11C at Darkside.
We would love to hear from you!