US climber Quinn Mason is the first woman to repeat the route "Spirit Quest" in Squamish. The route is one of the most challenging routes in Canada and is Mason's first 9a route.
US-American Quinn Mason could hardly have wished for a more beautiful first 9a: »Spirit Quest« (9a) is one of the hardest, but also most appealing routes in Squamish, British Columbia. Now the 22-year-old has achieved the first female ascent of the route (FFA).
The route on the Paradise Wall is the more direct start of »Spirit of the West« (8b+), bolted and first ascended by Tom WrightAfter Mason had ticked the latter route in 2023, she set the 9a direct variant as her project.
The Paradise Wall immediately impressed me: flawless granite, curved structures, and vibrant green vegetation.
Quinn Mason
Line was only liberated in 2021
After Tom Wright »Spirit Quest" in 2016, the first ascent took longer. After more than 40 attempts on the 35-meter line, Wright finally opened the project to others.
In 2021, the American finally succeeded Mike foley The first ascent of the route, which quickly became a classic in the region, was followed by repetitions by climbers such as Jonathan Siegrist (2022) Connor Herson (2023) or Sonnie Trotter (2024)
Mason skips 8c and 8c+
Quinn Mason is now the first woman to climb the 15 hooks to the anchor of »Spirit Quest" without falling. The US competition climber simultaneously overcame grades 8c and 8c+ with her first 9a. She had previously climbed a total of ten routes at grades 8b and 8b+.
When she's not on the rock, Mason regularly competes for the USA Climbing Team in the IFSC World Cup, although she has so far missed the semifinals. Although she's now considered more of a lead climber, she occasionally competes in Bouldering World Cups. In 2021, Quinn Mason became the US National Lead Champion.
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Credits Cover photo: Quinn Mason