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Time Traveller: Hanging out at North Vancouver's Devil's Leap

This viewpoint near Grouse Mountain, shown here in the 1930s or '40s, was featured in a National Film Board documentary about rock climbing
devils-leap

Here is a photo taken by Violet Stewart of an unnamed couple sitting at Devil’s Leap near Grouse Mountain in the 1930s or ‘40s. Violet and her husband Ronald, who lived near the Delbrook area of North Vancouver, were keen outdoorspeople.

Devil’s Leap was a well-known viewpoint, also known as Daredevil’s Leap. In 1926, a large dead tree was blasted off the side of the cliff to provide a better view.

In 1954 the site was featured in a National Film Board documentary with the Alpine Club of Canada, entitled How to Climb a Mountain. The film showcased early rock-climbing techniques.

Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver, now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.

Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley, is open for drop-ins on Monday and by appointment Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-4 p.m. Contact: [email protected]

Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.

Note: The subjects in this photo were originally misidentified. The piece has been amended.