Smith - Lower Gorge

I spent last weekend out at Smith and checked out the Lower Gorge for the first time. Climbing on the basalt columns was a nice change from the tweaky welded tuff that Smith is renowned for, and the lack of crowds was an added bonus. With the quality and quantity of the routes it was quite a surprise to pass the overflowing (!) parking at the main area and find the columns to be relatively quiet. The climbing, setting, and lack of crowds are so much different it's hard to believe you're actually at Smith!


Bob Graham 'Cry of the Poor' (5.11a)