Smith Rock Good late March?

I'm planning on a trip to Smith Rock the last week of March - is that a good time to climb? Thanks!

-Danno

It's hit or miss. I've been there the last three years around that time and some days are tshirt days, and some days it snows. But for the most part you can get some good climbing in. Nights are cold, but its fun to use that as an excuse to go eat at the Terrebonne Depot. Which has an awesome happy hour!

Sweet!

Dan, Smith is prime the last week of March. Temps will range from low 40s to upper 50s -- perfect sending temps for Smith. You'll want to warmup in the sun and send in the shade. Also, the cascades will be covered in snow, making for the perfect background for the classic Smith photo.

Beware, if you're flying into Portland, it can be tricky getting over the mountains. Oregon has very wet snow that makes for extremely icy roads. As a result, you are often required to carry chains in your vehicle when driving over mountain passes, which can be tricky if you are renting a car. Many stores will allow you to purchase chains and return them if you don't use them. This site will give you current road conditions with cameras and the current chain requirements:

tripcheck.com/Pages/RCmap.a…;mainNav=RoadConditions

If the weather looks sketchy at all, I recommend avoiding the mountains (Hwy 26) by driving up the Columbia River Gorge (I-84) to The Dalles, then taking highway 197 south to Hwy 97 towards Redmond and Bend. This stretch can still have snow, but it's lower elevation and usually less heinous. It's about an hour longer in good weather, but it's faster than putting chains on and driving 10 mph over the mountains.

Have fun, Smith is awesome!

There's also an airport in Redmond, which is like 15 minutes from Smith Rock.

Was there on Friday 2/4 and it was 60. sunny, clouds came in later afternoon.

March will be perfect sending weather. enjoy.

Thanks guys!! and Mike - much appreciated for the info - I think Lena and I are going to try and do a week there! psyched!

Some great advice in here. I'm also thinking about making a trip down there pretty soon as long as the weather looks like it could be good.

Owen Darrow wrote:Some great advice in here. I'm also thinking about making a trip down there pretty soon as long as the weather looks like it could be good.

Had a great trip but the weather was off and on the whole time. Friday was Sunny and shirt weather, we got 2 inches of snow on Saturday, and it was partly cloudy on Sunday. I have the pictures up if you want to check them out for an idea of weather. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks!

98% chance it's gonna be awesome. 1% chance it will be kind of crappy. 1% chance of it been wet.

well, with those odds, I guess I we can just hang out at walmart all day if its not good....

Another thing to keep in mind is Spring break schedules for NW colleges. I have been there when just about anything under 12b had a line. Obscure trad options can be fun then. I remember watching Fred Becky checking out all the college girls in their spandex and sports bras. Have fun.

waiting in line is great if its a bunch of hot girls in spandex....

climbingweather.com/Oregon/…

climbingweather.com The only resource I use for weather