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Post by shaman on Jul 7, 2018 10:46:27 GMT -7
Hey !
I could have post this noob question in any web forum, but as some people here looks like they know well Smith Rock (and to be honest as it's one of the only forum in which I've got an account...) I'm gonna do it here (and the cover pic of the RCTM is in Smith as well !) :
So since I started climbing a few years ago, I've always been obsessed with lines. Nothing gets me more psyched to train and to send than a nice striking line ! Being 30 this years, I think it's time to go overseas to fulfill one of my climbing dreams : going to Smith Rock ! (actually I haven't been to America but this is another topic)
I'm basically working a lot during mid-march to mid-october, then got time to go there. I like cold temps for climbing, so I guess November might be the best time ? What about going there alone, do you think that there I could find people to climb with (even during the week) ? And, last but not least, do I need a car (I'm used to the dirtbag life, sleeping in the mud, hitchhiking, cooking pasta on a stove for days - even month - isn't a real problem) ? Cause if I need to rent one, it's not gonna be the same budget...
Thanks for helping me to sort this things out !
Peace
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Post by MarkAnderson on Jul 7, 2018 18:18:48 GMT -7
November is a good time. You never know for sure about the weather obviously, but if you like cold temps November is better than October.
In my experience Smith isn't the sort of place that people go without partners, looking to "hook up." However, on the weekends there will be tons of climbers there, lots of odd-numbered groups, and people hanging out, so if you're aggressive you should be fine. During the week will be much more difficult--it will depend on the weather. Still, I've been there hundreds of days and there are almost always people there, regardless of the day or weather. Also, there is a big group of locals who will climb mid week all through winter, so if you can get in with any of them you will be able to find partners.
Another thing to consider is that the park is very big, and the climbing is spread out, so if you want to be able to pick where to climb, it's better to have your own partner. If you have no partner your options will likely be limited to the "main area." There are tons of classic, striking lines in the main area, so you'll be ok either way, but if you want to climb something on the Monkey, "the backside" or in the gorges it would be smart to line up a partner ahead of time.
You don't absolutely need a car, especially if you fly into Redmond. I imagine you can take public transportation of some sort to Terrebonne, or hitchhike, and then from Terrebonne its about a 3 mile walk to Smith. On a weekend you could easily hitch from Terrebonne to Smith. Once at Smith you could stay for quite a while in the campground, which has water and hot showers. Terrebonne has a decent grocery store and climbing shop. Camping in November will be rough, but possible. It's a desert so the night-time temperatures will be very low.
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Post by shaman on Jul 9, 2018 9:35:16 GMT -7
Thanks a lot for your answer, will try to sort this things out !
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