Portland living

Well since the last blog post I have found a few more people to climb with and have had a chance to check out many more climbing areas.  I met a couple rad ladies who are both inspirational in their own ways.  One of them has pretty much been doing what I am doing for the past 6 years.  She would camp and live in Tahoe for the summer working and saving and then take the rest of the year to travel and climb!  That got me thinking... ;) 

I went on my first mountain biking adventure and it was awesome!  I only fell off twice! HAHA and ripped my pants...I swear that stump jumped up and bit me, but its cool I survived. 

I have gotten to check out French's Dome, Ozone, Carver, Broughton Bluff, Rocky Butte and of course Smith Rock.  The climbing out here is so different from all of the other places I have been.  It has made me a little insecure and kinda a chicken when it comes to leading...I thought I was finally on my way to leading 11s and now I'm back to leading 5.8  Haha well I know it is in my head so I just need to work it out.  I'm planning to go camp by myself for the next week and a half and not climb at all.  I have a couple fingers with sensitive tendons and a knee, which is killing me from heel hooking.  I figure some time off before we head to Leavenworth is important. I wore out both pairs of my climbing shoes and just ordered a new pair! Onsale for 135.00 jeez! Oh well it beats 170.00 now I have a new pair for Leavenworth and to climb in while my old ones get resoled.
My plans constantly change as I am no longer going to head south after the NW I plan to stay at Smith from September 4th till around the 19th then work my way back to Tahoe although I think some coastal camping is in order first.  Then i'm going to hang in Tahoe for a few weeks and hopefully after that it will be good weather in Indian Creek. :D 
Yesterday was the first day back for all of my education friends...I must say I am very relaxed about the fact that I am not returning with them!  Although  I do have moment freak outs about not having a job.  I have been doing a good job with pushing them away. 

yummm $5 burger week...healthy spin off of big mac...well it is healthy meat :)

Broughton Bluffs

Otters playing in the river!

Smith Rock

Walk down to Smith Rock

Leading 

4:30 am drive to Smith

Love the lighting

Two months have past!

I found it fitting to write a blog post today as two months has officially past.  I can’t believe I have spent 60 days already on the road camping, climbing, and exploring.  I have climbed 41 days out of the 60, which includes a lot of driving days. I will be staying in Portland for the next few weeks saving some gas money.  I have not found many climbing partners out here so it is a little frustrating, but I’m still climbing about 5 days a week.  However, Portland has offered me new opportunities so I figure it balances out.  I’m going mountain biking tomorrow for the first time ever.  I met a woman who has an extra bike and helmet! So excited.  I also met up with an old friend who I have not seen for 6 or 7 years.  She races cars so I’m going to go to one of her races and check that out.  The end of August we will be spending a week in Leavenworth WA climbing both bouldering and long multi pitches.  We might make a quick trip up there next weekend.  I’m down, but I don’t work so its up to Scott and Jimmy :)

It was a rainy day today so we went to the circuit in Portland.  It was a pretty fun bouldering gym.  It was nice to get worked, but I’m looking forward to getting back outside this weekend.   Last weekend we went to French’s Dome near Mt Hood.  It was a very unique rock dome with a beautiful view of Mt Hood.  The rock out here is very different and in some areas very slick, but I’m starting to get used to it. I have gotten to go to 4 different local areas so far and am enjoying Portland.

Bouldering at Carver V6 will send this before I leave!

French's Dome

Crankenstine 11c French's Dome

Mt. Hood