Blondie, Shirley, and Tom crossing the Crooked River in the Lower Gorge on the way out after a nice half day of climbing in spring-like conditions (Feb. 2012).During my brother’s quick visit to Oregon, we took the lad down to the Lower Gorge at Smith for a half day of basalt clambering. It would’ve been a full day had we not started things off with a big breakfast in Redmond…Shirley led (once again) the decent Patent Leather Pump (5.9) and Tom followed w/o too much difficulty. Seeing as he did not have a proper amount of respect for Gorge 5.9s, we then hopped over the river to the east side where we did the uber-classic Blitzkrieg…”not so easy this one, eh Tom?” Not easy indeed especially compared with the next door Off Tempo line. After a couple more laps, we called it a day.
Photos
Shirley & Tom hiking into the Lower Gorge on a gorgeous mid February day (2012). Shirley starting up Patent Leather Pump (5.10a in first ed. guidebook...but demoted to 5.9 in 2nd ed) in the Lower Gorge (Feb. 2012). Shirley leading the nice Patent Leather Pump route in the Lower Gorge (Feb. 2012). Tom following Patent Leather Pump (5.9/5.10a) in the Lower Gorge...getting the feel for the basalt column climbing for the first time in his life (Feb. 2012). Blondie airborne over the Crooked River in the Lower Gorge (Feb. 2012). The money section of Blitzkrieg (5.9 OW) starts just above me. A lovely day in the Lower Gorge (Feb. 2012). Leading into the crux of Blitzkrieg...hard 5.9 off-width at least for me...much harder than the Off-Tempo (5.10a) next door (Feb. 2012). Tom admires the business upper half of Blitzkrieg (Feb. 2012). Shirley seconding Blitzkrieg (5.9) wideness with The Monument in the background (Feb. 2012). Blondie, Shirley, and Tom crossing the Crooked River in the Lower Gorge on the way out after a nice half day of climbing in spring-like conditions (Feb. 2012).
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