Thank you for the vote. Around the NW, there's really not much fun one can have in the mtns. in the winter time - bad weather most of the time and almost everywhere within reasonable weekend driving distance. Smith Rock has been a nice weather oasis most of this winter --- as result, been spending quite a bit of time there. It really is a pretty cool place but it seems that the best routes are usually bolted faces. Trad climbing is OK only compared to other places (just my humble opinion).
I checked out your webpage - some nice info./photos. I admire the fact that you guys push yourselves not only in climbing but also in getting there (11 hr. drive to CO for example - NICE)! It's kind of our habit as well. Latest cases of that were 2 car trips (Nov. & Dec. 2002) bet. Portland, OR and Vegas - about 1200 mi each way in one shot to save time for climbing. Don't belive in flying - it's just a fad - it'll pass :).....by the time we're done paying for the dog kennel, car rental, excess luggage fees we'd be in deep sh... $$$-wise. Easier to just throw stuff into the car (incl. the dog) and go.
I'm with you. I'd much rather drive. We drive 19 hours to the Tetons every summer in addition to 3-4 trips to CO and NM. We took our RV to Yosemite and Red Rocks, NV last June. You guys should come out to CO on June 14 to our Rockies Gathering. There will be some SPers there and we plan to climb a couple of non-tech 14ers. See the thread under the Rockies Board for details.
Many thanks for the invite (we've really been itching to go to Colorado for some climbing - never even passed thru. it!!!) but unfortunately my wife changed jobs 2 months ago and can't take very much time off for 1st year (pro-rated). We're exceptionally poor vacation-time-wise this summer. All we're aiming to do is attach a day off to the 3-day wknds. at best (Got rough plans for Granite Peak in Montana and Yosemity). Summer '04 will hopefully be better (if this is a yearly thing you guys have going, that would be great). Thanks again.
Labor Day is good for me. My wife is iffy right now due to lack of vacation time, but I will have a week that I will need to burn. We'll keep in touch. Alan
Once again another great page. The photos are spectacular. Looking at the photos from all your guys' adventures have inspired me to take up trad. Keep up the climbing.
Actually the thing about Smith is that most of the quality moderate routes (IMHO) are bolted faces - i.e. sport climbs. All you need is a set of quick draws to start messing around on multi-pitch routes. The Round River direct variation for example goes totally sport for 3 pitches. The Cave Route has only some easy trad. But of course I do think that trad climbing is where all the fun is (=alpine routes).
Full of great info and gear recommendations as usual. Pictures illustrate the routes very well. Route descriptions are well written. Interesting place. Well done!
Alan Ellis - Mar 10, 2003 6:07 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI like crag submissions. Good stuff.
rpc - Mar 10, 2003 8:29 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the vote. Around the NW, there's really not much fun one can have in the mtns. in the winter time - bad weather most of the time and almost everywhere within reasonable weekend driving distance. Smith Rock has been a nice weather oasis most of this winter --- as result, been spending quite a bit of time there. It really is a pretty cool place but it seems that the best routes are usually bolted faces. Trad climbing is OK only compared to other places (just my humble opinion).
rpc - Mar 10, 2003 6:21 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentI checked out your webpage - some nice info./photos. I admire the fact that you guys push yourselves not only in climbing but also in getting there (11 hr. drive to CO for example - NICE)! It's kind of our habit as well. Latest cases of that were 2 car trips (Nov. & Dec. 2002) bet. Portland, OR and Vegas - about 1200 mi each way in one shot to save time for climbing. Don't belive in flying - it's just a fad - it'll pass :).....by the time we're done paying for the dog kennel, car rental, excess luggage fees we'd be in deep sh... $$$-wise. Easier to just throw stuff into the car (incl. the dog) and go.
radek
Alan Ellis - Mar 11, 2003 7:08 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI'm with you. I'd much rather drive. We drive 19 hours to the Tetons every summer in addition to 3-4 trips to CO and NM. We took our RV to Yosemite and Red Rocks, NV last June. You guys should come out to CO on June 14 to our Rockies Gathering. There will be some SPers there and we plan to climb a couple of non-tech 14ers. See the thread under the Rockies Board for details.
rpc - Mar 11, 2003 9:16 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentMany thanks for the invite (we've really been itching to go to Colorado for some climbing - never even passed thru. it!!!) but unfortunately my wife changed jobs 2 months ago and can't take very much time off for 1st year (pro-rated). We're exceptionally poor vacation-time-wise this summer. All we're aiming to do is attach a day off to the 3-day wknds. at best (Got rough plans for Granite Peak in Montana and Yosemity). Summer '04 will hopefully be better (if this is a yearly thing you guys have going, that would be great). Thanks again.
radek
Alan Ellis - Mar 11, 2003 10:16 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGranite is also on my list. I can go anytime in Sept. Maybe we could hook up then. Can you guys go in Sept?
rpc - Mar 11, 2003 10:20 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentYeah, that sounds good. I think we'd be looking at Labor Day weekend given the vacation time issue. Would that work for you guys as well?
Alan Ellis - Mar 11, 2003 11:57 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentLabor Day is good for me. My wife is iffy right now due to lack of vacation time, but I will have a week that I will need to burn. We'll keep in touch. Alan
rpc - Mar 14, 2003 3:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentSounds good. We can talk about it more sometime in August.
radek
jhalz - Mar 10, 2003 7:06 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentRadek,
Once again another great page. The photos are spectacular. Looking at the photos from all your guys' adventures have inspired me to take up trad. Keep up the climbing.
Jason
rpc - Mar 10, 2003 8:33 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the vote.
Actually the thing about Smith is that most of the quality moderate routes (IMHO) are bolted faces - i.e. sport climbs. All you need is a set of quick draws to start messing around on multi-pitch routes. The Round River direct variation for example goes totally sport for 3 pitches. The Cave Route has only some easy trad. But of course I do think that trad climbing is where all the fun is (=alpine routes).
radek
rpc - Mar 10, 2003 10:48 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the good vote.
radek
Dave K - Mar 10, 2003 10:54 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery well done!
I'm kind of curious about the odd name.
rpc - Mar 10, 2003 11:15 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the good vote.
Good point about the name?? Not sure what the deal is.
radek
mdostby - Mar 10, 2003 5:59 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGreat page!
Mike
rpc - Mar 10, 2003 6:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the good vote.
Smith really is a good place when the mountains are engulfed in nasty weather.
rpc - Mar 11, 2003 8:35 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the good vote!
rpc - Mar 12, 2003 8:50 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you for the nice vote and kind words!
Aaron Johnson - Mar 11, 2003 9:42 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentFull of great info and gear recommendations as usual. Pictures illustrate the routes very well. Route descriptions are well written. Interesting place. Well done!
cruzit - Mar 12, 2003 4:38 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGotta love those close to home crags! Good page.