Probably yes on the acquaintances, Squamish is still kinda a small town. I don't do much actual rock climbing, I was referring to the backside trails. I do climb some but I only have basic gear and no friends that climb. My one contact just left town for Calgary.

I was setting out on the Seven Summits of Crumpet Woods and had just climbed down from Mt. Crumpet (#2) and heard a branch break behind me. I turned and sure enough a fucking large cougar was plodding towards me about 30 feet away. I looked then leaned over to pick up a branch that was there, turned back to face and he was 15 feet now and about to jump. I stuck the stick at him and he skidded to a stop, less than 10 ft away, I could have poked him with the stick - it was at my hip level and would have poked him in the eye, he was pretty big. I yelled at him, waving the stick, and he buggered off. If I hadn't turned when I did I would have been dead a few seconds later. I shook all the way down to the power lines by Raven's Plateau.

I helped my friend with a race in that area not long ago and had to clear a trail of flagging. I really, really don't like being out alone anymore, like I used to. The Chief is OK as it is really well travelled but Crumpet (Crumpit?) is not.