When does Smith shape up? I've heard there is good climbing in the winter but I've also heard you must let the rock dry out completely or risk pulling off holds.

This weekend looks dry in Bend (only 20% chance of rain). Anyone with suggestions on an area? Lower Gorge? other?

I was just there this weekend (Saturday), and yesterday (Monday), and had a great time it is the desert so if you have two dry days in a row the rock is usually dry, excluding snow-melt, and if it is sunny you'll be fine with a light fleece or longsleeve shirt for climbing in. It was 42 degrees there on sunday and the sun wasn't even out and i was fine in a light fleece and my hands didn't get to cold. Maybe bring a warm jacket for long belays and some light gloves. But if it is dry/sunny this weekend and above forty then go for it, there were quite a few people out there this weekend, so little line-ups on the more popular walls (Morning glory, Dihedrals) so you may have to wait a little for some of the more popular climbs, but still nothing compared to the summer.