RECREATION
To the
TOP
Smith Rock State Park challenges
climbers from all over the world
BY LIZ O’CONNELL
For the Redmond Spokesman
mith Rock State Park, located just a few miles
outside of Redmond city limits, draws in visitors
from around the globe who want to scale its
steep ascents and conquer its diffi cult challenges.
The state park is known as the birthplace of sport
S
Ian Caldwell climbs the route he constructed on the under-
side of Maple Street Bridge in 2015. Submitted photo
climbing in the United States, thanks to a man named
Alan Watts. Watts was one of the main route developers
back in the 1980s and ’90s. His unusual way of creat-
ing a route, going from the top to the bottom, was not
common in the country at the time, and is one reason
why Smith Rock quickly became a well-known climbing
destination.
The park has about 2,500 routes within only a couple
square miles of the park, according to Kyle Bonfert,
owner of Redpoint Climbers Supply in Terrebonne.
Although the park is mostly known for sport climbing,
there is also plenty of traditional climbing and boulder-
ing as well.
Being a well-known climbing destination not only
brings in tourists to the area and money to the local
economy, but it also draws in future residents. That’s
Jonathan Roberson, left, and
Hans Almekinders balance on
the “Blue Dream” and “Over-
dose” highlines at the Smith
Rock Highline Gathering on
Sept. 16 outside Terrebonne.
Nick Rosenberger/Spokesman
12