Steelhead Falls

It's so unbearably hot here in Smith.  It's so different than two weeks ago when the temps were low and required climbers to wear their down jackets.  Yesterday it was 97 degrees.  Erin and I climbed in the morning and I had a couple go's on More Sandy than Kevin in the Shipwreck gully.  I keep falling before I can clip the 4th bolt.  It's just too hot to feel motivated to do anything. Afterwards, Erin and I went to the Green Plow coffee shop and escaped the unbearable heat.  We wandered over to Steelhead falls to meet up with a friends and took turns jumping in the river.  It was pretty refreshing :)

Mike, Peter, Elliot, Duncan, Me, and Erin

Oregon Life

I decided to come back to Smith for a while.  Once I got to Washington, and experienced the gloomier weather there, I craved the warmth of the desert.  I came back on Tuesday and have been climbing so much!  I onsighted my first 11b in the park, a route called Vomit Launch.  I still can't believe I did that.  But wow, did it feel amazing to clip the chains!! I'm having a blast.  Just been getting on as many routes as I can, and trying to have as much fun as possible!  Yesterday, I took a day off to wander over to Crater Lake National Park.  I jumped in the freezing cold water, and it felt so refreshing!! The world is a beautiful place!    

Goodbye Portland

Wow, Portland is amazing.  I've never felt like I've fit in so quickly to a new place.  I've been blessed with kindness from so many strangers, now friends.  Michael and Maxine, and their newborn Jackson have so graciously allowed me into their home, where I've tried so carefully to tiptoe around when I get in after-hours.  We shared meals and I felt like I was part of the family for a moment.  

Yesterday, my new friend Erin, read her poems at an open-mic night in Northeast Portland.  What a cool vibe!  So many talented musicians and writers, I was pretty blown away.  

I think I good way to end my time in Portland is the Angel's Rest hike :)

Portland #3

Days are slower now.  I'm worrying less about things, and just enjoying myself and what each day brings.  Yesterday Sam,  Duncan, Erin, and I ventured over to Mount Tabor Park and set up a slackline for a couple hours.  After eating some Mexican food, we came back to Erin's and people enjoyed beer, records, and SET! Best game ever.  

Portland #2

Portland is lovely.  The sun finally came out today.  Yesterday we ventured over to a local crag called Ozone on the Washington side.  Amazing rock there!  I feel like I've been more active on my trip than ever before, and it feels awesome.  

Portland

Portland seems amazing.  I'm so tempted to stop my trip and just move here.  The houses are so beautiful and there's endless trendy coffee shops and breweries with good food.  I've met so many cool people so far.  My coworker from Dreamworks, Michael, his lovely wife, Maxine, and their newborn, Jackson, have so graciously let me stay with them at their house in Northeast Portland.  They have such a beautiful home.  Folks I ran into at Smith Rock last week, invited me out for a hike and some climbing yesterday.  It was so fun.  We tried to go climbing at French's Dome near Mt. Hood but were turned away by the rain.  Then we went for a hike and saw the most beautiful sites! Burritos, listening to records, 4 hours of climbing, and dinner with good people made for a great day.