Born to Wander carves a subtle line through the quiet grandeur of Strathcona Provincial Park’s Lower Hidden Walls, a spot that offers both approachable alpine climbing and a chance to tune into the raw pulse of British Columbia’s coastal wilderness. This single-pitch, 75-foot climb invites you to move deliberately across a low-angle groove, where the stone’s surface feels rough and a bit dusty under your hands and feet. After settling in on the groove, the route veers right, shifting onto broad slabs that demand steady footing and controlled balance. The crack system threading through these slabs becomes your route-finder, leading up to a bolted anchor that stands as a welcome reward.

The climb’s 5.7 rating places it well within reach for climbers looking to sharpen their traditional skills without the pressure of steep, overhung terrain. Gear up with protection up to 3 inches, as the crack provides reliable placements but requires attentiveness; tricky spots call for deliberate sizing and careful placement to ensure security. This route offers a focused, methodical pace—perfect for newcomers to traditional climbing wanting to gain confidence in alpine settings or seasoned climbers appreciating a quiet line where technique and patience matter.

Approaching Born to Wander means stepping into a landscape where the forest exhales a pine-scented calm, and the cool, salty breeze from the nearby Pacific invigorates your senses. The Lower Hidden Walls sit just beyond well-marked trails, surrounded by towering Douglas firs and sharp granite faces that catch the shifting light through the day. While the approach isn’t lengthy—less than a half-hour trek—the terrain is rugged, dappled with moss and roots, a steady reminder that wilderness here holds its own rhythm.

Timing your climb for early morning or late afternoon exploits the soft, angled light as it plays over the granite, enhancing texture and grip. Summer through early fall offers the driest, most consistent conditions, as rainfall can quickly slick the slabs and grooves, turning what should be a satisfying push into a precarious test.

Descent is straightforward: a rappel from the fixed bolts at the anchor brings you safely back to the base, or a careful walk-off offers an option to rejoin the trail if you’re prepared to navigate uneven, rocky ground. Born to Wander blends the allure of exploration with the solid foundation of a well-protected, manageable trad climb—an ideal gateway to climbing on Vancouver Island’s wild edges.