"A classic trad route in Squamish’s Murrin Park, Tastes Like Chicken challenges climbers with a mix of finger cracks, a featured off-width, and perfect hands jams. It delivers a compact climb ideal for those refining traditional skills in a vivid, tactile environment."
Tastes Like Chicken presents a compelling single-pitch trad climb that tests your crack climbing skills with a practical blend of challenges and surprises. Situated within the iconic Murrin Park in Squamish, British Columbia, this route offers a 45-foot vertical experience across fractured cracks that reward careful technique and solid protection placement. The climb begins with a sequence of demanding moves that push your fingers and feet into action before opening into a wide hands crack where you can find a moment to breathe and recompose. Beyond this lies a 15-foot off-width section that looks intimidating but reveals subtle features that make the ascent more manageable than it first appears. The final portion finishes with perfect hands cracks that feel both natural and satisfying under your grip.
The setting contributes much to the overall experience: the rock’s texture demands attention, forcing a tactile connection with every hold and jam. The crack’s distinct breaks offer diverse climbing styles—from thin finger jams to wider hand jams—making it a versatile practice ground for those aiming to sharpen their trad and wide crack techniques. Protection ranges from half-inch to five-inch cams, with a #4 Camalot often sufficient to safeguard the off-width comfortably, ensuring confidence as you negotiate the trickier sections.
Access to the route is straightforward, with a short approach through established trails within Murrin Park, allowing climbers to arrive with minimal fuss. The rock’s northeast-facing angle means early daylight climbs are often shaded and cool, which makes spring and early summer ideal for comfortable ascents without overheating. Given Murrin’s reputation as a popular climbing destination, expect a friendly climbing community vibe while still finding your own space along this route.
For climbers eager to build skills or simply enjoy a focused trad climb with a bit of variety and sustained effort, Tastes Like Chicken offers a compact but satisfying challenge. Whether you're honing wide crack techniques or simply chasing a singular climb that blends mental and physical demands in a scenic Canadian setting, this route provides practical learning wrapped in engaging movement. Prepare to feel the rock’s character in your hands, stand on ledges carved by time, and embrace a route that encourages both calm steadiness and bold moves.
The off-width section requires attention to careful foot and hand positioning as the crack's width can lead to awkward body movements. Ensure your largest cams fit securely, and be cautious of sharp edges around rests. The rock tends to be sound but verify each placement before weighting it.
Start early to climb in the cool morning shade from the northeast-facing wall.
Wear sturdy climbing shoes that support both edging and crack jamming.
Practice wide crack techniques beforehand to ease the off-width section.
Use a double-length sling on larger cams to minimize rope drag.
Bring a rack covering .5 to 5-inch cams, with a #4 Camalot ideal for the off-width section. The route's crack spacing requires solid protection placements but no specialized gear beyond a standard trad rack.
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