PRESENTATION: 50 Classic Climbs of North America ~ Neptune’s ~ Thursday, 03/15, 8 pm

Come join Mark and Janelle Smiley, Thursday, March 15, at 8 pm at Neptune’s (Boulder, CO), as they share photos, videos and stories from their 2011 climbs. (There will be a raffle, too!)

** West Ridge, Mt Hunter, AK
** East Ridge, Devils Thumb, AK
** Finger of Fate, Titan, UT
** Lotus Flower Tower, NWT Canada
** East Ridge, Bugaboo Spire, AB Canada
** The Nose, El Cap, Yosemite
** NW Face, Half Dome, Yosemite

Mark and Janelle’s goal is to complete all 50 routes identified by Steve Roper and Allen Steck in their famous book, Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. So far, the Smiley’s have knocked-out 35 routes and have posted HD footage along the way, at smileysproject.com.

And they have an aggressive schedule lined-up for 2012: they take-off for Alaska in late May (Denali and Mt Huntington), and wrap-up in Yosemite in September, for their second ascent of El Capitan, this time via Salathe.

Some people may wonder how the Smiley’s pull-off a seemingly carefree lifestyle of living out of a van for six months of the year, to pursue this project. And I can say it has not been handed to them or straight-forward. It all started with them simply having a crazy idea – to be the first couple to climb all 50 routes. When they kicked-off the project, they didn’t know how it would unfold or how it’d even stay afloat. They just knew they had a dream.

To launch their first season in 2010, they raided their savings, bought a van and took off for Utah, thrusting themselves into the unknown. They returned to Crested Butte for the winters, to work, to ski race, and to plot the next moves for their project. And since then, the project has gained momentum. But the Smiley’s have definitely had their fair share of “no’s” and uncertainty along the way.

So, if you are nursing a dream of heading-out onto the open road to pursue your own list of climbs, and if you would like a dose of inspiration to "let go of the known", then come hear the Smiley’s story this Thursday.

when are they going to do Hummingbird?

The 'fake Petite' has been accurately re-identified as Zowie. Excellent catch, Andy. And Keenan, you’re right – the Hummingbird has never been repeated. It’s not on their list for 2012. But I do know that these two get stronger and smarter with every climb, and that they’re tackling increasingly committing, snowy routes. So, stay tuned. What’s funny is that Janelle and Mark got to catch-up with Allen Steck in Yosemite this past climbing season, and he mentioned something about that route just taking endurance. Sure, just endurance! By the way, I’m not the Smiley spokesperson, so hopefully I’m providing information accurately (but feel free to come to their show and ask them directly). The only reason I mentioned their upcoming show on MP is that I’ve enjoyed seeing how they these two are bringing their dream to life and figured other climbers may be interested, too.

do i have to pay five dollars if i give beta about the grepon? ;D

Cor wrote:do i have to pay five dollars if i give beta about the grepon? ;D

The Smiley's actually climbed that "other" RMNP tower in honor of the infamous Black Nasty...who has been spotted at numerous rocks crags throughout the state, tucked under rocks, in the shade (dozing?)...also seen sporting a trendy orange Montbell down jacket, laughing at the Texas toprope at Camp Bird Road...you just never know when the mythical Black Nasty will appear...or when his charm, like a siren, will draw able climbers away from their destination (Grepon?) and to his own tower...tricking them...

A good turn-out last night at Neptune’s…Mark and Janelle shared plenty of war stories and photos from their 2011 climbs - which ones were their faves and why, what went wrong on the route, which descent was dicey, what had rotten rock. Though they still didn't reveal the location of that secret fishing hole by Lotus Flower, it's funny to see the photos of those two sporting waders. So, the Smiley's share a bit more information than what you’ll glean just from each route's video.

Follow them at facebook.com/SmileysProject if you want to catch their presentations this summer (Jackson Hole, Seattle) while they're tromping around North America, living out of a van...and by then, they just may have footage from the actual Petite.

Thanks to everyone who caught the show last night!