Watch It Burn is the gateway climb at Above It All, situated just beyond Gonzales Creek in the rugged wilderness of British Columbia’s Squamish area. This traditional four-pitch route stretches roughly 350 feet up a textured granite face, offering a blend of finger and hand cracks that challenge while rewarding with every move. The approach traces a modest path through dense forest, where the moss-covered boulders seem to watch your steps as the creek murmurs nearby, setting a calm yet expectant mood.

The climb begins on a detached boulder, where you navigate past a single bolt before locking into a solid handcrack that guides you upward on the first pitch. Though modestly rated at 5.8, it sets the rhythm for what's ahead—a measured test of technique and commitment. On pitch two, steep flakes and cracks rise before you, with hidden jugs on either side offering subtle rests amid the sustained 5.10c climbing. This section demands good footwork and steady focus, pushing climbers into a rhythm where anticipation mingles with controlled effort.

Pitch three reveals the heart of Watch It Burn: a crisp splitter crack with a standout undercling crux. The crack’s sharp edges beckon you upward, tempting a deft move before guiding you to a small tree that offers a brief respite. From there, a careful step right leads you to the anchors, a good place to pause and soak in the exposed face below.

The final pitch unfolds with a curving flake and intermittent face moves past a trio of bolts, soon granting access to a crack system that steepens toward the summit. This last stretch is a dance between balance and power, rewarding patience with sweeping views that stretch across the coastal mountains, reminding you why this climb draws so many to its granite arms.

Protection on Watch It Burn is straightforward but demands attention: a selection of cams from .2 to .3 inches, doubled smaller sizes, and a set of nuts gives you the security needed to manage the varied crack widths. Bolts pepper the technical sections, easing the mental load but trust in your gear placements remains essential. The descent is equally simple, requiring a single 70-meter rappel back to the base — sleek and efficient, though always check your rope length and anchors before committing.

Watch It Burn invites climbers to connect with Squamish's raw character in a dose just right: a technical challenge wrapped in approachable steps, nestled in a wild, quiet corner that reminds you just how alive rock climbing can feel. Expect variable conditions, bring solid crack skills, and savor every moment on this pillar of Squamish trad climbing.