Taking my mom up VOTC to celebrate the one year anniversary of when she decided to start climbing at 63 years old.

All Locations > Oregon > Central Oregon > Smith Rock > (a) Picnic Lunc… > Voyage of the Cowdog (5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c)

Taking my mom up VOTC to celebrate the one year anniversary of when she decided to start climbing at 63 years old.

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Walk-off of the Cowdog - close-up

VOTCD. Photo by Tylerroemer.com

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5.0 from 14 votes

Ben Shelkey

Mar 24, 2022

“Taking my mom up VOTC to celebrate the one year anniversary of when she decided to start climbing at 63 years old.”

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Photo by Tyler Roemer<br>

Walk-off of the Cowdog - close-up

Taking my mom up VOTC to celebrate the one year anniversary of when she decided to start climbing at 63 years old.

VOTCD. Photo by Tylerroemer.com

All pitches visible w/climbers at each pitch

this is the approach There is a trail the entire way although it is slightly loose gravel From about halfway up so try not to kick rocks down on your friends

View from the top of pitch 3.

Leader on the 3rd pitch, as viewed from the smith rock bivouac area

The rope clearly marks the 3rd pitch of the route.

Cowdog in the upper left, watching over the last pitch

Jay topping out on the last pitch

Pitch 2 and 3

3 pitch

Route as viewed from the main trail.

Walk-off of the Cowdog - from the parking lot

Shanti savoring the last moves on the third pitch with the entire park within view.

Original topo courtesy of the first ascensionist, 2008. "It needs some more cleaning. Ha!" Who would have thought it would become such a classic?!

Ever vigilante, the Tico the Cow Dog.

Start of the walk-off, showing the "boulder" and the bolt on the front side (i.e. the side closer to the top of the route)

conga line on p1

Topping out. Such awesome exposure!

Looking down on the final pitch of Voyage of the Cowdog

Follower pulling up onto the final slab on the last pitch

Last pitch

Third pitch of Voyage of the Cowdog

Looking down half way up the third pitch

Looking back at the first part of the walk-off. Recommended route in yellow, "jump-down" option in red.

The less photographed first pitch

Topping out on the last pitch!!

Belaying from the top of Pitch 3

Half way up the third pitch, fun exposure, safe route, plenty of grippy holds.

repelling down on the first pitch, lots of rope drag but faster than walking off.

Long distance shot of the last pitch

coming up the second pitch.

tangled mess!!

Looking downhill from the 2nd bolt. The bolt is at my feet with the carabiners clipped into it. We had a lot of trouble finding it at night...oops.

View from the main access trail facing the picnic wall.

Removed large loose rock from third pitch. There's one more loose rock a bit farther up but isn't ready to come out yet.

Near the end of pitch 3, having finally moved past the high step crux for us shorties. Photo by Jack Bynum.

Me and Yuxin chilling at the top of Voyage (pitch 3). Photo by Jack Bynum.

Looking back at the far side of the "boulder" on the walk-off. The bolt is circled in red. (Trust me - it's there!)

The view from the top Voyage of the Cowdog. Happy 40th Birthday, Jon!

Start of the first pitch. More fun than most of the reviews say imo.

Last pitch stoke!

Tony following the final airy pitch of Cow Dogs

P3 X marks some rotten rock. Otherwise, hellof fun climb.

The glorious Pitch 3! Get out on the arete near the top quarter of the pitch and enjoy the exposure. Super fun!

Looking up first pitch

Great picture taking, poor belaying :)

Jake leading the first pitch.

Don't forget to look down on the final pitch

Summit cheesin'

The "jump-down" option for the walk-off (not recommended), and the plaque at the base of it.

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