B.C. Parks has shut down a popular climbing area near Squamish, B.C., as it makes plans to remove a hollowed out Volkswagen Beetle suspended on the rock face, calling it a “serious public safety threat.”
A group, claiming to be University of British Columbia engineering students, has taken credit for the car that appeared on the rock face, which is known by climbers as The Papoose, last week.
The Ministry of Environment and Parks said in a statement to CBC News it is working on a plan to remove the vehicle, which they expect to happen within the next week.
Insp. Robert Dykstra with Sea to Sky RCMP confirmed police are also investigating the incident.
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) said in an email statement that the car is located on a sacred site within the nation’s territory.
“Placing or hanging anything upon it is extremely disrespectful both to our People, and to our land,” said the statement.
“We sincerely hope that in the future, people treat it with the respect it deserves.”
An email sent to CBC News from “spokespersons of the UBC Engineering spirit” last week, claiming to represent both alumni and students, took credit for the stunt.
There is a long history of undergraduate engineering students at the school pulling similar pranks. Some have been successful while others have not.
Jesse Godlington, a Squamish climbing guide, says The Papoose is known for having several high quality rock climbing routes.
“I really love climbing on The Papoose and unfortunately I can’t right now because there is a car that could fall on me,” said Godlington.
“The cliff is not a place for pranks.”
Longtime climber Anders Ourum climbed up with fellow climber Ryan Block last Tuesday to get a closer look.
He said he is concerned that if the area sees high winds, it could pose a safety risk.
As a former student at UBC’s faculty of engineering, Ourum said he immediately suspected who the culprits were when he saw it.
“Pranks are great, nuisances are not. If you’re gonna make a prank, it’s polite to clean up afterwards,” he said.
Rick Poissant, who works at the nearby Klahanie campground, said he saw a group of people coming out of the trailhead near The Papoose just after 8 p.m. Sunday evening.
“I thought it was a bit unusual for the time of day and also the type of day that it was,” he said, adding that he saw them get into a vehicle and drive away.
“These kids … they’re known for this,” he said.
