One Scoop with Delicious Dimples offers a compelling plunge into the steep slab climbing that distinguishes The Apron at the base of The Chief in Squamish, British Columbia. This five-pitch route stretches approximately 600 feet along a demanding wall peppered with bolts and natural features, making it a balanced challenge for trad and sport climbers alike. Unlike the crowded classic lines nearby, this climb tends to stay quiet, giving adventurers space to focus on their footwork and slab technique.

The approach draws climbers past well-known lines like Over the Rainbow and Banana Peel, arriving at the right end of a broad slab face that demands steady nerves and attentive gear placement. The slab here isn’t just a flat expanse; it curves and angles beneath your fingers and toes, with subtle nubbins and smears that test your precision. The first pitch immediately sets the tone with a 10b crux, its polished slab requiring delicate movement and a sharp eye for balance as you navigate bolts and a tree ledge.

Pitch two intensifies the experience by moving into a steep, almost puzzle-like 10c slab that leans on both boldness and control. Here, climbers must thread the needle through a rock depression with bolts guiding the way, all the while maintaining composure on slippery stone that challenges your ability to read the rock. A belay station at a sizable tree-filled ledge offers a brief respite before the upward push continues.

If you chose a lower belay on pitch two, prepare for a longer pitch three—40 to 50 meters of straight-up climbing where precision footwork and mental focus take center stage. The bolted line continues upward on steep slab that rewards steady breathing and confident smears.

Pitch four holds the route’s third crux with a sequence of slippery slab moves near some overlapped vegetation. This pitch demands that you dig deeper to find subtle holds and manage risk, with bolts helping keep protection in place but no room for hesitancy. The final pitch softens to a mostly 5.7 slab climb leading to the Broadway ledge, allowing a chance to unwind and absorb the expansive views that sweep across the Squamish Valley below.

Protection blends sport bolts with select traditional gear placements, particularly recommended in the upper sections where the rock opens up near Sparrow and the start of pitch four. Relying exclusively on fixed bolts is risky; bringing a light rack with medium to small cams and some nuts will boost confidence and safety.

The setting itself—a sprawling granite apron carved by winds and weather—invites climbers into a realm where focus on technique meets the primal joy of exposure and movement. The route runs north-east facing, catching morning sun that softens the granite’s harsh glare and offering the best conditions from late spring through early fall. The approach trail is straightforward, a stable hiking path from the base of The Chief parking area, taking roughly 20 minutes to reach the base coordinates at 49.6863, -123.1474.

One Scoop with Delicious Dimples may not boast the popularity of nearby classics, but its blend of slab climbing, sparse crowds, and natural beauty makes it an essential line for those ready to sharpen their skills in one of Canada’s premier climbing areas. Be prepared for variable footing, bring solid slab shoes, and time your run to avoid the afternoon heat, especially in the summer months. This climb is a reminder that in climbing, sometimes the quiet, hidden slabs teach the loudest lessons.