Place for future AWESOME Smith photo...

We have some sweet climbing photos from Smith. Before posting them, I need to get the OK from my husband. :) His new book has priority!

Axel, Uncle Mark & Lucas waiting for us slow ones. :)

 The Monkey Face is a very prominent feature on the backside of Smith Rock. It can be seen from the road driving in but hides from view when at the trail head. There are a few ways to get there but all involve a good hike...some short and steep while others are long and flat. The boys got to experience a little of both hiking out there two times. They did great!

First hike was with Grandma & Grandpa A.

Grandpa following the boys down the hill. It's such a beautiful place.

Axel was full speed ahead.

Little did he know, the hike to the Monkey would be long and he should be saving his energy.

Mom & Dad enjoying the extra help. Thank you G&G and Uncle Mark!

Daddy and Uncle Mark headed out to climb while the rest of us headed up and over "Misery Ridge" to get to the Monkey Face. NOTE: Lucas is not giving the camera the BIRD, he is holding a piece of chocolate in a peculiar way. HA!

After numerous switch backs and lots of stair counting, we made it to the top. You can see barely see the white snow capped Cascades in the background.

We made it! We found the Monkey Face and Mt. Hood off in the distance.

The boys also found an awesome hollow rock which made for a perfect fort.

We found Daddy and Uncle Mark climbing up the Monkey on "Just Do It" a 5.14c.

 At this point, Mommy took photos and made movies of Uncle Mark. The boys headed down and around by the river to go get some ice cream. They did a great job with Grandma & Grandpa!

Just approaching the last hill.

Taking a little break after that hill so Grandpa could soak in the view.

My little HAMS!!

Check out this Bull Snake!

Grandma said the boys did great hiking out. They hit the ice cream shop and then back to the condo for some R&R.

Second trip:

This was a hard photo because of the sunlight but I wanted to get all three monkeys in the photo.

Almost...

GOT IT!!!! :) Heehee. I love these 3 monkeys!

This monkey is pretty darn cool too!

The rock fort was still there too!

They loved hiding and jumping out to scare all of us.

Just awesome!! I think we might have to go back sooner than later. The hike is truly stunning and everyone really enjoyed seeing the Monkey and talking about the best monkey of all...a four scoops ice cream cone!!!

Here is the ice cream shop, Juniper Junction. The owner has been serving ice cream here for 47 years!! It's delicious too and the Huckleberry is an Oregon must have!!

3 scoops for Uncle Mark!

Eager boys!

We got the MONKEY...4 scoops and it was awesome!!

Oh, and Mommy was there too!!

Rope De Dope

One day while Uncle Mark and Daddy were climbing, I took the boys down to Rope De Dope. It's a huge climbable boulder that sits across the river from the main area. We could see it every day hiking in and the boys always asked about it. I decided to give them an up close view and they fell in love with it.

The next day, we headed back with Daddy so the boys could climb Rope De Dope...all the way to the top!!

You can barely see Rope De Dope in the lower left hand corner of the photo. It looks tiny until you get up close!

Here's a better shot off that big full moon we got to enjoy.

This is the base of the boulder, a nice green area perfect for tag.

And tree climbing.

Here's the view from Rope De Dope looking at the main climbing area of Smith Rock.

This was Mommy's wall (the big flat one in the center and to the left of the photo). I climbed the right route (Full Heinous Cling 5.12c...right above the guy in the white shirt) and then worked on Darkness a 5.13a to the left, just above the jagged edge you can see lower down. A great view from Rope De Dope!!

This is a cool view of my two routes too...you can see the profile of the wall (the one with no climbers on it to the left). It gets steep up top but is mostly vertical and very technical.

Axel was so excited and decided he would be the first to climb. He got all ready to go and hopped on the rock without missing a beat.

Getting Axel "on belay" before starting.

A little butt push to get him going until we realized we had forgotten his helmet.

Now, he was ready to go and did a wonderful job using his hands and feet.

Happy boy!

See, it's a pretty big boulder!

Almost to the top.

He did it but that was not the top in his mind.

He was quick to tell Daddy that he wanted to go to the top. :)

This was the top!

Daddy was right there all along to help encourage and document Axel's big climb.

Here he is, all ready to lower after getting off the top. Check out those eyes!!

 

It was then the old pro's turn. :)

 

Lucas' new shoes really came in handy and he's learned to look at those feet making his Daddy proud again.

 

There were some tough spots but he kept a positive attitude and did great. He tried really hard and made it all the way to the top...a Chocolate Cake Climb!

Another Happy Boy almost to the top.

There's the top of the climb but....

this was the real top!! :)

Daddy was so proud!