Quinn Mason has made the first female ascent of Spirit Quest 5.14d in Squamish, one of Canada’s hardest sport climbs, located on the Paradise Wall in Paradise Valley.

The line is a direct start variation of the Tom Wright's Spirit of the West 5.14a. It links directly into the crux of Spirit of the West with no rest in between. Originally bolted by Wright in 2016, Spirit Quest saw its first ascent by Mike Foley in 2021.

Spirit Quest is Quinn’s first of the grade, as she skipped 5.14b and 5.14c to get there. In 2025, she’s sent an impressive five 5.13ds and three 5.14as. 

“I first came to Paradise Wall in Squamish two years ago,” said Quinn. “I was immediately struck by the pristine granite shield with its snaking features and brilliant green lichen. That year I visited the wall twice, and climbing the route Queen Bee left a lasting impression on me, leaving me wanting more. The following year, I returned to Paradise, and after four trips to the base of the wall, I sent Spirit of the West. I left Squamish last summer having never attempted Spirit Quest, but all winter long I dreamt about the route as if I knew the moves and was rehearsing them in my head.

“Come August of this year, when the opportunity to try Spirit Quest arrived, I was nervous to even try. My first attempt on the route left me with very little confidence, but by session two the moves were coming together. By session four I tentatively expressed that I might be able to do the climb this season. In subsequent sessions I patiently dialed the sections, and while everything felt smooth, I knew linking it together would be tough – and again, I was nervous to try. I left Squamish for a few weeks, and upon returning, I linked from bolt five to the chains, only skipping out on the easier intro climbing. Then the fall rains came in full force, and I was forced to learn some crucial lessons in patience and pressure.”

Mason's Story