We got up relatively early on Sunday and headed over to Smith Rocks to get a slice or two of humble pie. The destination was the back side where it would be shaded and we could avoid the slow broil on the front side where the sun was baking the rock.
We took the long way around via 'Misery' trail that goes around, up and over the little saddle to the back side. On the way we spotted what appeared to be a little baby rattler. It did not have any rattles yet but had the markings and head shape of its bigger and noisier buddies. After letting the little guy slither across the trail we kept on hiking up up up up. The stairmaster workout popped us at the top where we started to work our way down. Shortly after you take a few steps and lose some altitude, it pops you out right in front of MonkeyFace to some phenomenal views of the distinct spire with the Cascades range as a backdrop.
We eventually worked our way down after trying to look for non-existent holds on the big boy climbs that only a handful of people can actually pull on. We oohed, ahhhhed, and took in the sights. We were on the hunt for moderates as our head space for leading needed to be nursed after yrs off the sharp end of the rope. We passed up many a great moderate line that required gear and finally settled on a couple of routes that looked like they might be accommodating.
Some pix of the approach with the stunning views:
We took the long way around via 'Misery' trail that goes around, up and over the little saddle to the back side. On the way we spotted what appeared to be a little baby rattler. It did not have any rattles yet but had the markings and head shape of its bigger and noisier buddies. After letting the little guy slither across the trail we kept on hiking up up up up. The stairmaster workout popped us at the top where we started to work our way down. Shortly after you take a few steps and lose some altitude, it pops you out right in front of MonkeyFace to some phenomenal views of the distinct spire with the Cascades range as a backdrop.
We eventually worked our way down after trying to look for non-existent holds on the big boy climbs that only a handful of people can actually pull on. We oohed, ahhhhed, and took in the sights. We were on the hunt for moderates as our head space for leading needed to be nursed after yrs off the sharp end of the rope. We passed up many a great moderate line that required gear and finally settled on a couple of routes that looked like they might be accommodating.
Some pix of the approach with the stunning views:
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