smith rock 5/5-5/6 for outdoor noob

hi! i have a chance to get down to smith rock 5/5-5/6. i’m new to outdoor climbing and have only toproped outside a couple times, though i did lead belay for those routes. i TR 5.11s and lead 5.10- inside the gym. 

ideally i’d like to TR and maybe mock lead some easier single pitch sport routes to get more familiar with outdoor climbing, placing quickdraws, and closer to actually leading outdoors. would anyone be interested in taking an outdoor noob climbing first week of may? am i better off hiring a guide with this level of inexperience outdoors? any thoughts on good routes for this?

thanks :)

Hi Riley, 

What days did you have in mind? 

I’m in Portland, and happy to take you out to ozone or broughton in the metro on a nice day if you’re local.

If you’re looking for a place to start at Smith, check out the Rope-a-dope boulder on the south side of the river. There are a lot of mellower classics. You can also hang a top rope if you walk to the backside of the boulder as there is a stainless steel ladder to access the top. Additionally the routes themselves have bolts so you can practice clipping draws.

I would recommend reading the mountain project comments if you look to the north side of the river, because of the nature of the rock, some critical holds have popped off making some routes much trickier. Hop on Pop in particular has a hard start.

Good luck dude!

T. 

Hi Riley,

I might be able to join you 5/6. I climb at movement gym in NW Portland, but happy to link up at another local gym to touch base on goals. DM me!

best,

Max