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.
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