Smith Rock

Gabrielle: Before I get ahead of myself I want to say a quick thank you to all of our friends and family. Chase and I have had such overwhelming support while planning this adventure. We both left our amazing jobs, moved out of our apartment (we will miss you Kurt), packed up a tiny car, and took off so we could climb for the next several months. As my dad so lovingly (and jokingly) mentioned to my grandmother, “you can now tell everyone that your granddaughter is unemployed, homeless, and living out of her car!” Not very many people would support this crazy idea but I guess we are just lucky enough. So thank you, thank you for the moral support, the guidebooks, the help packing and moving, the heart wrenching photos hidden in my belongings (yes I am talking to you Tt), and most importantly thank you for the coffee and chocolate because we all know I wont last long without either. We are so very very thankful.

On to the climbing.

 Gabrielle, Chase, and Corey

Chase: We hit Smith Rock on Monday in the early afternoon, met up with friends and started climbing right away. We jumped on the Lower shipwreck area Monday evening finding we had the entire “Smith Rock” to ourselves. Tuesday we climbed at Phoenix Buttress and attempted to get on “5 Gallon Buckets” but involuntary got to climb “The Outsiders”, which was well worth our time. 

 

Corey: Morning Glory Wall

Wednesday was the longest but most eventful day. Started at the combination blocks area and climbed two really good 5.10B's (Earth Boys and Double Trouble) then continued over Asteriks Pass to the Mesa Verde Wall where I was able to onsight Skreaming Yellow Zonkers! Probably one of the best climbs I have done at Smith plus the hike back over Misery Ridge was quite breathtaking. 

 Gabrielle: Phoenix Buttress

Miles, Chase, Corey, Bear, and Caitlin at Student Wall

 Corey: Student Wall

 Chase: Student Wall

We met up with Miles, Caitlin, and Bear Thursday morning at the Student Wall. It was a day dedicated to being top rope tough guys/gals. It was a good change of pace from the usually crowded Smith, we had the entire wall to ourselves except for the occasional lizard.

We left on Friday and started heading down the coast where we met some lovely rain and a sad one armed Paul Bunyan. Now we are in Eureka, CA stuck in a library without my coffee...