Bend, Oregon

Hey there everyone,

I'm actually posting regarding a semi-non-climbing inquiry. I'm looking to move states in the next few years, and am looking for good beta on places to see and go and what there is to get into in the Bend, Oregon area. What the scene is like, the people, the community, where/how the climbing is OTHER than Smith (because come on, its Smith), etc. are all things I'd like to know. Thanks for your help!

Bend is absurdly great living.

I posted this on a similar thread.

mountainproject.com/v/where…

As for climbing, you get Smith and Trout Creek. Beyond that, expect to drive. But Smith is an absolutely fabulous home crag - I love it more each time.

Bend is terrible. Everything is overhyped. It gets just as much rain as the valley. Then it goes straight from winter to 110 summer. The snow really isnt that soft. The mtn bike trails are blown out always. Culture forget about it. bend is the whitest place on earth. Sure there are 16 breweries, but all of them make 5 blends of coolers light and are entirely populated with MMA Ed Hardy types. No one can dive in the snow. Total sausage fest. There is in town bouldering, but all of the areas are closely guarded by the entrenched locals. The season at trout creek is about 3 weeks long & climbing in the lower gorge is scary/awkward.

Andy Laakman usually chimes in for these threads, you cant trust him, he just wants to see people from California suffer. You should visit Boulder instead.