40 YEARS OF SPORT CLIMBING IN AMERICA: BORN AT SMITH ROCK

Known as the birthplace of sport climbing in America, Smith Rock State Park was the testing ground for a new type of climbing, now everywhere in rock gyms. Prior to 1983, routes were not put in on rappel, but the tough, blank walls of welded tuff in the park demanded it. Soon everyone came in their lycra tights from all over the world to test themselves on some of the hardest routes in the country. In 2023, we commemorate 40 years of that achievement.