Bouldering

Ignace’s Blueberry Boulder Field (by Dennis Smyk)

Just north of Sandbar Lake Provincial Park, a dozen kilometres north of Ignace, the landscape is dominated by room size boulders. Visitors walking among these behemoths cannot help but be overwhelmed by them.

See the full article by Dennis Smyk here.

Bouldering dates back to the late 19th century and was started in Europe to train rock climbers. Bouldering is a British name given to the sport and "problem" is the name of the challenge or path up to the top of the boulder. The size of the boulders found in Ignace and their proximity to the Trans Canada Highway means that there is a great deal of interest by boulderers, aficionados of the sport of bouldering, a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large boulders or artificial man-made boulders and only equipment you will require is some chalk, climbing shoes, a landing pad, and some courage. The Ignace Boulder Field has been described as “the best bouldering in Canada between the Niagara Glen and the Rockies”!

Visitors will enjoy the experience of seeing the boulders-or climbing them- and can top up their visit by feasting on the namesake blueberries. Keep an eye open for roadside raspberries too.