Trip Report: Climbing Voyage of the Cowdog at Smith Rock State Park
When: 09/23/19
Location: Smith Rock State Park, Route: Voyage of the Cowdog
Conditions: Perfect fall day
Duration: 1 and half hours for this route
Difficulty: moderate (5.8/5.9)
Usefull links: mountainproject.com
Full Report:
One of the coolest bolted Multi-pitch climbs at Smith rock hands down! Voyage of the Cowdog is on the opposite side of the crooked river from the parking lot near “shipwreck”. This climb has 3 manageable pitches leading to one of the best views of smith you could ever find. The first pitch is 5.8, the second 5.5, and the third is 5.8/5.9. People flock to this climb because the exposure on the last pitch is absolutely gratifying.
Off the ground, you start with some easy slabby style climbing and as it steepens you climb up towards a water chute on the right side providing awesome holds and stemming opportunities. Do be aware of small rockfall in this section. Once at the first anchors, you’ll start again heading right around some big boulders for an exposed 5.5 traverse. The next set of anchors is quite close. The last pitch is the most vertical but not much harder than the first. The crux is 2/3’s of the way up when your footholds are quite close to the edge. Once you pull over at the top and see the anchors you’ll be in heaven. Chill out and soak it up! (We rapped back to each set of anchors to avoid getting our rope stuck.)
All in all, Voyage of the Cowdog is a must-do classic if it's within your skill set of climbing!
Full Report:
One of the coolest bolted Multi-pitch climbs at Smith rock hands down! Voyage of the Cowdog is on the opposite side of the crooked river from the parking lot near “shipwreck”. This climb has 3 manageable pitches leading to one of the best views of smith you could ever find. The first pitch is 5.8, the second 5.5, and the third is 5.8/5.9. People flock to this climb because the exposure on the last pitch is absolutely gratifying.
Off the ground, you start with some easy slabby style climbing and as it steepens you climb up towards a water chute on the right side providing awesome holds and stemming opportunities. Do be aware of small rockfall in this section. Once at the first anchors, you’ll start again heading right around some big boulders for an exposed 5.5 traverse. The next set of anchors is quite close. The last pitch is the most vertical but not much harder than the first. The crux is 2/3’s of the way up when your footholds are quite close to the edge. Once you pull over at the top and see the anchors you’ll be in heaven. Chill out and soak it up! (We rapped back to each set of anchors to avoid getting our rope stuck.)
All in all, Voyage of the Cowdog is a must-do classic if it's within your skill set of climbing!