Enjoy these photos by Ed Cooper
Read about, and watch, the dedication of the Baldwin & Cooper Park
Squamish, BC. October 5, 2025
In 1961, Ed Cooper and Jim Baldwin completed the first ascent of the Grand Wall on the Squamish Chief. They ascended fixed ropes using Prussik knots, hammered in wood pitons, and drilled and placed many ¼” bolts. The community supported the effort by providing accommodation and welding together stronger steel pitons.
It took six weeks of effort to complete the climb, and as they finished a crowd of thousands cheered them on from the highway at the base of the cliff.
At the age of 30, Ed’s focus changed from leading new climbs to recording images of mountain landscapes and adventures. Over the following decades, Ed composed and recorded thousands of brilliant images in his career as a photographer, and also published 3 books.
The legacy of his images will be with us forever.
With thanks and appreciation to Ed Cooper’s family for permission to include this collection of Ed's photos.
Ed Cooper, age 16, Pinnacle Peak, Mount Rainier National Park. August 1953.
Ed Cooper (left) and Jim Baldwin (right) with 1951 Chevrolet Powerglide. The town of Squamish provided accommodation as they prepared for the first ascent of the Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. May 1961.
The Kozy Motel, Squamish, BC. Ed Cooper and Jim Baldwin were provided a room while climbing the first ascent of the Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. May / June 1961.
Jim Baldwin, The Apron of the Grand Wall. Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. 1961.
Jim Baldwin, approaching the Split Pillar, Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. May 1961.
Jim Baldwin belays Ed Cooper. Roman Chimney, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. 1961.
Jim Baldwin, Split Pillar, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief during first ascent of the Grand Wall. June 1961.
Jim Baldwin, bottom of Split Pillar, during first ascent of the Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. May / June 1961.
Jim Baldwin pushes ropes up to the top of the Split Pillar, during the first ascent of the Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. May / June 1961.
Jim Baldwin in the lead. Bolt ladder being placed on the first ascent of the Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. May / June 1961.
Jim Baldwin, above the Dance Platform, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. Jim and Ed Cooper spent a couple of nights here during the first ascent of the Grand Wall. May / June 1961.
Jim Baldwin rappels on the Grand Wall of the Stawamus (Squamish) Chief during the first ascent. Photo shows Sword of Damocles Flake. May / June 1961.
Photo of Ed Cooper taken by Jim Baldwin using Ed's camera. The last pitch of the Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. June 1961.
Jim Baldwin (left) and Ed Cooper (right). After completing the Grand Wall, Stawamus (Squamish) Chief. June 1961.
Ed Cooper at the base of the Dihedral Wall, El Capitan, during first ascent. November 1962.
El Capitan, first ascent of the Dihedral Wall. Ed Cooper (left), Glen Denny (centre), Jim Baldwin (right). Half Dome in background. November 1962.
Jim Baldwin, top of El Capitan after completing the first ascent of the Dihedral Wall. November 1962.
Ed Cooper, top of El Capitan after first ascent of the Dihedral Wall. The climb was completed with Jim Baldwin and Glen Denny. Half Dome in right of photo. November 1962.
Les MacDonald, outstanding Canadian climber,on a cliff in Garibaldi Provincial Park, BC. August 1958.
Fred Beckey, above Garibaldi Meadows, Garibaldi Provincial Park, BC. Background is the Garibaldi Neve icefield. August 1958.
Les MacDonald belays Fred Beckey near Garibaldi Meadows. Photo taken during a shoot for Canadian Club Whiskey. August 1958.
Fred Beckey (centre), Les MacDonald (right). Unidentified man (left). Mount Garibaldi in the background. August 1958.
Howe Sound Brewery Co. won Bronze (2009) and Silver (2010) medals for their "Baldwin & Cooper Best Bitter" at the North American Beer Awards in Idaho, USA. Photo taken July 2011.