Too Many Choices, Not Enough Time!

Spring in our neck of the woods brings plenty of options for ways to enjoy the mountains and rock of Oregon.  During this time of year it's not uncommon for us to be switching between activities each day of the week- one day you'll find us shouldering our rock packs and heading for the sun and warm temps of Smith Rock State .  The next day we may be seen skinning up a local mountain for a ski tour.  May as well round out the schedule with a day spent wielding ice axes during a climb on Mt Hood .  Here are some shots from some of our trips and programs just this past week.  Be sure to give us a call here in the office to schedule your next adventure!

Spring Climbing on Mt. Hood

Spring Climbing at Smith Rock

Spring Ski and Splitboard Mountaineering 

Spring Corn Splitboarding

Sun and Bolts at Smith Rock State Park

We've been having a great winter rock season this year here at Smith Rock.  Many people visit the Central Oregon area in the summer when temps at Smith can soar into the upper 80's and 90's.  For the rock enthusiast, mid-winter can be a great time to climb at Smith Rock State Park on clear days. In fact, most of the locals prefer to climb in the winter at the park. Down in the canyon, temperatures can often be twenty to thirty degrees warmer than in the nearby town of Redmond, providing surprising relief from what felt like winter just a few hours ago.
This week I was lucky enough to share some of that great Smith mid-weather with Stuart and Tanya who decided to take a leap from the gear plugging climbing they are used to on the quartzite cliffs of the Gunks, to the bolt clipping face climbing of Smith's welded tuff.  We had a great day sampling some of the areas classics and basking in the sun- we even had to break out the sunscreen!

Tanya enjoying the sun and face climbing.

Stuart getting some mock leading in.

Sun and bolts on Smith Rocks Morning Glory Wall.

Women's Rock Climbing Seminar - Smith Rock State Park

Join Smith Rock Climbing School and special guest IFMGA guide Olivia Cussen for a 3 day women's specific climbing seminar. Olivia is the third women in the US to gain IFMGA certification and one of only about 50 fully certified guides, male or female, in the US.

This program is perfect for women in the sport of rock climbing looking to learn from one of the most talented female guides in the US as well as a great introduction to the sport for those that want to experience rock climbing for the first time.

Clinic and Instructional Topics to be included:
• Belaying and Rapelling Techniques
• Crack Climbing vs. Face Climbing
• Footwork and Efficient Climbing
• Chimney and Off width Climbing
• Belay Station Management
• Improvised Self-Rescue
• Anchors for Belaying and Top-roping

October at Smith Rock couldn't be a better time for climbing. Pleasant day time temperatures, cool starry nights, low humidity, and lots of sun make Smith a premier fall crag! Smith Rock is known by many around the world as the birth place of sport climbing in the US. This world class climbing venue offers climbs and adventure for any type of climber from perfect basalt hand jams, nubbins, to perfect edging and crimping on welded tuff. There's no wonder why climber's from across the globe make Smith Rock a must on their list of places to climb.

Here's what Olivia has to say regarding women specific climbing programs:

“I have often asked this question myself. My intention in running all women's programs is not to imply that women don't climb or learn well with men. In my experience, long expeditions involving both men and women tend to be more stable and enjoyable. I have seen plenty of all women's expeditions on big mountains like Denali actually degenerate into trips that probably would have benefited from less of the baggage that comes with all female trips. Rock climbing, however, is not expedition climbing and I have noticed over time that most women are introduced to rock climbing (and ice climbing) by men. Once experienced, I find that it does not really matter whether I climb with men or women, but is rather the individual that matters. At the very beginning, however, I think that men and women approach climbing from very different places. Early on, men tend to use their upper bodies more, and often "bulldog" their way up routes. Their strength, simply put, is there physical power. This generally does not work for female climbers, whose strengths generally include balance, thoughtfulness, and flexibility. It is really important that women not try to "climb like a man" as it generally leads to frustration and slows the learning process. My husband John and I climb at very similar grades, but we have found over time that his style and mine are very different. When focusing on developing new skills, it seems that for some women, these trips allow them to progress faster and learn more in the end.”

Offered: October 8 - 10, 2010
Cost: $500 per climber for a group of 2 or more

Register Here!