Smith Rock State Park: Day of Top Rope Climbing

Activity Notes

This activity is from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Please be ready to hike at 9 am sharp. Please arrive around 8:15 am to give yourself time to get your parking pass, use the facilities, and organize your gear for the day.

ACTIVITY DETAILS:

This activity is a day of top rope climbing at North Point of Smith Rock State Park (also known as the Smith Rock Amphitheatre), with some additional mini-lessons (8-10 minutes) that will covering three topics: movement technique, traditional gear placement, and anchor building.

Smith Rock State Park: North Point Driving Directions

WEATHER FORECAST:

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.369290000000035&lon=-121.13836999999995

PREREQUISITES:

There are no climbing skills prerequisites for this activity-- open to first time climbers. You do not need to have any outdoor climbing experience, or even have been to Smith Rock before.

• There will be various grades of climbing available from easy to difficult. Hiking boots will be sufficient for the easier climbs, but rock climbing shoes will really add to your experience. Climbing shoes and/or approach shoes recommended for more difficult routes. Use of rock chalk is optional.
• Jewelry, rings, necklaces and earrings are not recommended while climbing. They can easily become caught or scratched up on the rocks, caught in your belay device, etc.
• If you have long hair, it is recommended to bundle it together and not let it loose. If windy the hair could easily get jammed in your belay device while rappelling (not fun).
• There is no water at North Point @ Smith Rock; be sure to bring a couple of liters with you (2 to 3 liters).

EQUIPMENT:

• backpack
• suitable climbing clothing: comfortable climbing clothes, rain jacket, puffy jacket, hat & gloves
• lunch/snacks/water (2-3 liters of water)
• personal effects: sunscreen, personal medications, 
• climbing harness
• climbing helmet
• belay device w/ locking carabiner (optional) -- tubular device or GriGri style device are ok
• rock shoes (optional, but really helpful) 
• car camping gear (optional)

MAZAMA COVID POLICY (as of 8/24/2021):

During official Mazama activity, we will be wearing masks when within six-feet of each other, even outdoors. We are not asking about or verifying vaccinations for outdoor activities. You can review the full COVID policies here: mazamas.org/covid.

CAMPING:

We will be camping at Skull Hollow Campground on Friday and Saturday night.

Skull Hollow Campground Information

Skull Hollow Campground Driving Directions 

This campground is a car-camping campground, with toilets, but no running water, and there is a fire ban in place. I will secure some campsites on Friday, and will communicate the site numbers by email.

Water: here is no water at Skull Hollow Campground, so you'll need to bring any you'll need. Perhaps a gallon?

There is a $5 (cash) additional charge per car. Plenty of space for tents. The larger campsites can easily fit four cars, and I intend to get at least two large campsites, for a total of eight cars for certain (first come first serve for you folks). If we need more space, some of you will have to get a neighboring site.

CARPOOLING:

The Mazamas activity starts and ends "at the trailhead" so we won't be coordinating carpooling. If you'd like to carpool with each other, that's between you and others.