From Climbing · Owen Clarke · · 2m
Gabe Lawson's V16 Lie
Canadian climber Gabe Lawson claimed to send Canada's hardest boulder as V16 but was a scammer.
In brief
Canadian climber Gabe Lawson claimed to send Canada's hardest boulder as V16 but was a scammer. Gabe Lawson falsely claimed to send Canada's first V16 boulder but was a scammer who disappeared after defrauding multiple people. Originally reported by Climbing.
The Megg V16 Claim
In 2023, Gabe Lawson claimed to send Canada’s first V16 boulder, The Megg, a 20-foot granite problem in Squamish.
“The Megg”
Lawson’s Social Media Boom
Lawson created an Instagram account within days of his V16 claim, racking up thousands of followers and launching businesses.
The Megg Repeat
By early 2023, American climber Andy Lamb repeated The Megg, suggesting it was no harder than V14.
“The Megg”
Lawson’s Van Deal
Lawson promised to buy Ethan Salvo’s van for $2,500 CAD but never paid the $1,000 deposit after Salvo gave him the vehicle.
“$2,500 CAD”
The Power Chalk Scam
Lawson’s friend Sam Duffy invested $900 in Power Chalk but received no payment after Lawson disappeared with the funds.
“$900”
The Escape Box Scam
Lawson launched a Kickstarter for an Escape Box puzzle game that raised $51,931 but never delivered the product.
“$51,931”
The Vacuum Theft
Lawson stole an $800 Dyson vacuum cleaner from Jack Nixon’s home after claiming to be a friend.
“$800”
The Financial Scam
In 2018, a Quebec tribunal found Gabriel Zukiwski-Lawson guilty of securities fraud for a fake investment company.
“Gabriel Zukiwski-Lawson”
The V16 Lie
Lawson claimed to send The Singularity (V15) and The Megg (V16) but never climbed harder than V12.
“The Singularity”
The Van Sale
Lawson sold Salvo’s $1,000 Jackery portable power station from the van he was supposed to buy.
“$1,000”
The Scam Pattern
Lawson created multiple businesses, crowdfunded projects, and never delivered products or services.
The V16 Claim
Lawson proposed V16 for The Megg, claiming it was the hardest boulder problem in Canada.
“V16”
The Scam Unraveled
Ethan Salvo discovered Lawson’s scams after he disappeared, leaving friends with unpaid debts.
The V16 Lie
Lawson’s V16 claim for The Megg was a lie, as he never sent the problem and was a scammer.
“The Megg”
The Scam Impact
Lawson’s scams affected the climbing community, with friends owing him money and no refunds.
The Scam Conclusion
Lawson disappeared after scamming multiple people, leaving no trace in Squamish.
In short
Gabe Lawson falsely claimed to send Canada's first V16 boulder but was a scammer who disappeared after defrauding multiple people.
