Missing Squamish Climbing Boulder 'Portable' Located in California After Five Months
Portable, the cherished mini boulder that vanished from its home in Squamish, British Columbia, has been discovered in California, ending a months-long mystery that captivated the local climbing community. The foot-tall rock, weighing an estimated 50 to 70 pounds, went missing in early September 2025, prompting widespread outrage and fervent calls for its return.
Discovery Through Social Media and Community Efforts
On January 19, 2026, images of Portable surfaced on social media, showing the rock adorned with a red toque and googly eyes at the base of a popular bouldering site in Bishop, California. Ethan Salvo, a Squamish climber who was in the area at the time, received a tip from a friend about a Reddit post featuring the boulder. Initially skeptical, Salvo coordinated with a local contact to verify the sighting.
"She Facetimed me at the boulder, and her and her friend are holding the Portable with this hat and googly eyes on it," Salvo recounted. He promptly retrieved the rock, which has since been traveling with him in his Subaru Outback while camping in California. Salvo plans to return Portable to Squamish in early February, feeling a sense of responsibility to restore this iconic piece of local climbing culture.
A Beloved Fixture in Squamish's Climbing Scene
Portable has long been a staple at Squamish's Superfly boulder site, attracting both locals and visitors eager to test their skills. Jesse Godlington, founder of Squamish Climbing Guiding, noted that the rock's disappearance wasn't its first, predicting it likely wouldn't be the last. "Some people are pissed about it. Some people think it's hilarious," Godlington remarked, highlighting the mixed reactions within the community.
The boulder offers various climbing challenges, most notably the V4, where climbers attempt to rise from a sitting position to stand atop it without touching the ground. Its portability allows it to be moved, but tradition dictates leaving it at Superfly for communal enjoyment. "It's a little bit of a gem to Squamish climbers," Salvo explained. "You're constantly walking by in the summertime to a crowd of maybe up to a dozen people, all filming each other trying to get on this little rock."
Speculation and Local Lore Surrounding the Theft
The disappearance of Portable sparked numerous theories in the climbing community, though no one has come forward to claim responsibility. Salvo described the period as filled with "pure speculation" and no concrete evidence, leading many to fear the boulder was gone for good. Local lore has even woven tales around Portable, including a story of a climber scaling a nearby rock face while holding the boulder in one hand.
As Portable prepares for its journey back to Squamish, the incident underscores the rock's significance as more than just a climbing tool—it's a symbol of community and shared passion in the outdoor recreation world.
