Beyond the somber tone of my last post, I’ve also been getting out for plenty of climbing and other outdoor fun.  The past two weekends I’ve gotten a primo introduction to the rock climbing goods at Rattler Gulch, about 50 minutes east of town.  Very grateful for fun and motivated partners on both weekends, I’ll let the photos tell the rest:

Always pushing ahead- Steve gets chewed up by "Puppy Teeth", 12a.

Jamie gets on it with grit and grin.

The climbing is mostly solid limestone with funky little pockets and sharp edges- and reminds me a lot of many pitches at Smith Rock.

Yours truly sticking the crux on the 11b I fell off last weekend.

Jess steps up her game and gets down to business on a 10b.

Proof that if you go for it, it’s probably going to be good!  Get out and love the spring.

Don't forget to look back after you top out, the views are not to be missed.