Escapes: August 2006

Smith Rock is an epic climbing spot only 2hr 15min East of Eugene, just outside of Bend. This is Smith Rock's Monkey Face and our end of the summer climbing goal. This column of rock has some relatively mellow climbs but in an extremely exposed environment. If you look at the bottom right corner of the photo you will see the Crooked River running through the base of the canyon about 6oo ft down. Smith Rock is one of Oregon's most amazing playgrounds.

A North facing view of Monkey Face. If you look closely you can see a couple guys in route.

You can see why this column of rock is called "Monkey Face". These guys are on the 3rd pitch of the route where you jumar or climb up the rope with the help of ascenders. This is called "jugging the line". I guess this section of rock has been free climbed by one person but it is rated a 5.13b, so I won't be doing that anytime soon.

This is the mouth of the monkey, the 3rd belay station and an amazing place to regroup. These are some guys we watched climb while we scouted it out the day before. It was probably more scarry watching them climb then actually doing it the following day.

Andy took this photo from the 4th belay station, almost to the top and just above the mouth of the monkey. The last thing on my mind was taking photos, I just wanted to get to the top safely.

Andy enjoying the view from the top!

Checking out the view from the top of the Monkey!

We are both at the top and still talking to each other, yeah :)

There are 3 rappels down from the top of the Monkey. The middle rappel is the big one, with a 140 drop away from the rock or free rappel. 140 feet doesn't sound like much, but when you look out over the valley it is about 600 feet down to the river, making the drop really dramatic. The last repel is only about 60 feet and you are to the rock shelf you started on and only a short scramble from the trail back over Misery Ridge. What a rock!

Foster Falls climbing spot in Tennesse not too far outside of Chatanooga. It is about a 40 min hike in to the rock, along a really pretty path. The rock is sedementary with a tendency towards overhangs with big jugs. A truly lovely location! Andy and I went for a climb before our afternoon flights out of Nashville.

Ren checking out the amazing view out over the lush Tennesse valley.

That is me on one of the Foster Falls routes. Definately wan't your chalk bag when climbing in the south. The rock was amazingly moist and the air humid.

Andy starting Bear Country Picnic a 5.8 that is really fun.

The newest Chihuahua addition to the family, Jordan.

Andy and I at Mom's B-day dinner. Yummy food on a deck next to the Truckee.

Mom's birthday dinner the night before we left the River Ranch. We sat right along the Truckee River and had an epic meal.

A view from the top of our first 3 pitch trad route in Donner Pass. In the background is Donner Lake.

Haley making her way up a route at Donner Pass, scared to death I might add.

Ethan enjoying the view while climbing with Andy and I at Donner Pass, only 15 min from our room at the River Ranch.

Evenings entertainment at the River Ranch was Scruffy a black bear only 4 ft off our deck. Scruffy was in search of fast food from the near by garbage cans.