Smith Rock, Oregon, 2008

 
  The view from my campsite. Relaxing in camp. Thom leading Ditto. On Rope de Dope block.  
 

 
  Higher on the same route. Welded tuff. At the anchors. Christina and Dustin simul-climbing. Galen's first lead.  
 

 
  Which way is up? Continuing up An attentive belayer. Rope de Dope block. Dustin posing.  
 

 
  Thom, Galen, Dustin. Galen and Dustin. Laura leading Where exactly is the second bolt? Here it is.  
 

 
  Up the arete. Almost at the anchors. Me on The Dihedrals area in the distance. Me on lead.  
 

 
  Approaching the top of the climb. At the anchors. Some dude named Pablo on a hard climb at the Dihedrals. Lish and Jonathan at Cinnamon Slab. Thom has had enough.  
 

 
  A bit of snow in the desert. Koala rock and the Wombat. The morning commute. Morning Glory wall. On the first pitch of  
 

 
  Ditto. The view from the second belay ledge. Smith Rock from the side of Koala Rock. Me on the roomy second belay ledge of Thom on the second pitch of  
 

 
  Ditto. And on to the belay ledge. Galen on his first multi-pitch climb. Approaching the second Belay ledge. Thom thinks the lack of gear on the third pitch is amusing.  
 

 
  Over the top. Galen on the third pitch. Continuing up. At the top. On the summit of Koala Rock.  
 

 
  Thom posing. Me posing. Galen posing. Thom ready to descend. Thom rappelling off of Koala Rock.  
 

 
  Me at the Basalt Rimrock. The comfort of the belayer is crucial. Galen on basalt. Three dirtbag climbers. The monument area.  
 

 
  Interesting looking pinnacles. Eagles nest here -- closed to climbing. Koala Rock and the Crooked River. Thom listens to the rock. Thom and Katy on the belay ledge of  
 

 
  Looking down from the top of Thom on the second pitch of Belaying Katy up. Thom and Katy get ready to rappel off. Thom leading  
 

 
  A nice 5.7 slab route. Getting ready to climb. Me leading A well-bolted route. Cold hands slippery nubbins.  
 

 
  Note the snow falling. Katy on Thom on the 5.7 crack climb called Katy on Me leading  
 

 
  It was steep, but at least it was dry. Katy on Ditto. Katy, the newest headjammer, practicing the signature move. Nearing the top.  
 

 
  Thom has perfected the head jam. There really was a rope. The holes are a result of gas bubbles in lava. Thom nearing the top. Is he doing a head jam at the top?  
 

 
  Or just fiddling with the anchors. Would you hang your life on these things? Sure. Why not? The proper way to lower off of bolted anchors -- rappel. On rappel.  
 

 
  A crowd gathers on A happy climber after a great trip.  
 
hard mud does not equal rock

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