Incredible "Rock" with a Generic Name.

It's a shame the Sheriff or the Soldier that Smith is named after (historians are unsure) didn't have a more inspiring name. For those who have never seen Smith Rock from in person up close, pictures do not do it justice. Furthermore, the view from the Hwy-97 does it even less justice. Smith rock is a place of incredible grandeur, similar to that of Crater Lake. If you haven't been, go, hike, savor it.

So why was I there, because Smith Rock is one of the premier sport climbing areas in the country and maybe even the world, I don't really know enough to make that call. The other reason I was there, was it was sunny outside of Portland and Brian had the day off.

Being mid-week I was able to climb all of the routes I wanted or could handle with minimal wait if any.


Morning Glory Wall, featuring 5-Gallon Buckets (the vertical line of holes to the left-center). The large huecos (naturally occurring holes in the rock, similar to acid pops in tile) made for an interesting climb unlike anything I've climbed before. Guide books tell you that if you get to climb without waiting, you should buy a lottery ticket that day, I guess I should have bought a lottery ticket. Brian tells me that in the hundred visits he has made to Smith, he has never been able to do that, I guess I am just lucky.


Brian rappels down to the belay ledge where I paitently wait for the rope to get to the bottom "Ginger Snap" a fun climb that provided a route to a more difficult climb with an incredibly freaky view ("Cry Baby").

All in all an incredible trip, I've already scheduled my return, this time with Ky.

Breaking Ground and the Law

Sunday was a busy day for me, Mountain Bike Race, Rock Climbing, and Birthday Party, so many activities!

For the mountain biking I partook in my first ever cross country mountain bike race, which was actually the first time I have ever been mountain biking. That is not to say I have never been on a mountain bike, but it was the first time I have ever seen "Single Track". The race was a novel experience for me with 1700 ft of climbing on a 12 mile loop; it was the first time I was a better climber than most but a terrible going downhill with gravity. The mud was slippery and the hills were steep, but overall I felt like I gave it a good show taking 10th in the beginner class.


After returning from Blodgett, OR (near Corvallis) it was time time to meet up with the Barkers for some evening rock climbing. After much hmming and hawing it was decided that we would try out a crag in the Lake Oswego area, close to home but limited in size. As I was first to arrive I was unpleasantly surprised to see some clearly marked no trespassing / no rock climbing signs posted by the railroad. Cars hidden, ramifications discussed, we decided the signs were merely a waiver of liability by the railroad company. The rock was much better than anticipated, while limited, it was gratifying to climb 20 mins from home. No arrests were made, good times were had.


After returning home and feeding Kona, it was off to Bill's house to celebrate Greg's birthday and wish happy trails to Genevieve. Cake was had, songs were sung, and cheers sounded the room (no photos available at this time).

A day later it has been determined that were lucky to avoid imprisonment and or fines for our trespasses. Accompanied by the 21 mo old baby by the name of Hazel, I would like to see the officer that could have resisted her charms, I think it would have been a stern warning had the Lake'O PoPo found us.