—Update May 20—
The International Slackline Association (ISA), a global body that supports the development of national and local slacklining organizations, has released a statement about the May 16 death of a woman who was highlining near Squamish.
On May 20, the ISA notified its followers in a social media post of the 22-year-old's death Friday, calling her "a bright recent graduate from UBC, who equally poured her heart into the people as much as the sport."
According to the ISA, this was the start of her third season of highlining.
"Beaming as she took her first step in 2023, she continued to demonstrate her brave spirit, navigating smart injury rehabilitation to later cross even longer lines. She showed up with that same drive and enthusiasm this past weekend," the post read, noting the woman, whose name has not been publicly released, was planning to cross a rigged 420 metre line.
The woman fell after not tying into the highline, the ISA said.
"The highliner was previously tied into the line, but dismounted at the anchor and untied herself to add tension. After finishing, she rolled onto the line with a highline roller but forgot to re-tie her leash, resulting in a fatal fall of 80 m high, 30 m out from the anchor."
The post stressed that forgetting to tie into a leash is the number one cause of death in highlining.
"Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and the local community—this is a trying and difficult time for them so please show them respect and give them your support where possible," the ISA added.
—Original story, May 17—
A 22-year-old woman has died while highlining at the Cheakamus Canyon recreation area on Friday.
A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police E Division told The Squamish Chief that Squamish RCMP and other first responders were on the scene “following a fatality at a popular climbing area.”
“On May 16, 2025, at 12:34 p.m., Squamish RCMP received a report that a female fell from a slack line at Chek Canyon Recreation Area. First responders attended the scene where the 22-year-old female was confirmed to be deceased,” the spokesperson said.
“Squamish Search and Rescue was called to assist with the recovery due to the difficulty of accessing the area at the bottom of the canyon.”
BC Emergency Health Services paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites said that they received a call at 12:07 p.m. “about a person in need of medical assistance near the Conroy Forest Service Road, north of Squamish.”
“An ambulance with primary care paramedics and an advanced care paramedic response unit responded to the scene. No patients were transported to hospital.
The RCMP E Division spokesperson said that victim services were on the scene to provide support to multiple individuals who witnessed the incident.
“Anyone affected by this incident is encouraged to reach out to Victim Services for support and assistance at 604-892-6153.”
The BC Coroners Service has been engaged and will be conducting an investigation.
