The pinnacles and peaks of the Marsupial Ridge dominate the skyline above Smith Rock. This area exists outside the circuit of classic sport climbs at Smith. It’s defined by adventurous routes with a mix of bolts and trad gear that lead to numerous narrow summits. Although you can find plenty of good sport-climbing with overhung pockets and modern bolting, the real character of the area is epitomized by the Marsupial Traverse. This long climb can be down by connecting a variety of pitches along the Marsupial Ridge. Depending on how you count it (and precisely how you do the climb) it tags five tiny summits, includes a couple of mid-route rappels and a few knife-edged traverses. After completing this route, adventurous climbers will set their sights on the Santiam Highway Ledges all the way to the top of the Wombat.
Marsupials Traverse
| Ratio: | 2:1 |
| Length: | 1 day |
| Price: | Prices are per-person, per day |
| Dates: | Custom, private dates are available year-round |
| Season: | Spring, Summer and Fall |
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Interested in a trip? Call us today to get started on your trip reservation. We will take the time to place you on the expedition that is a fit for you.
(541) 633-7450
"Ben from Smith Rock Climbing is awesome. Was impressed at how great he was with our kids, creating an amazing first climbing experience for them."
"We did a family climbing trip to Smith Rock State Park with this outfit and had a fantastic time. Aaron was our guide and was incredibly patient, encouraging, and skilled with us and our three kids ages 12, 10, & 8. All the equipment was provided and we felt very safe. It was a very positive experience for us and we enjoyed a great day at the crags. Don't miss a chance to climb this spectacular park. Well worth it !"
"I have climbed twice with them at Smith Rock, and both times have been outstanding. Cliff is a great guide and a blast to spend a day with. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to climb out there, or on Hood."
Know Before You Go
Prior multipitch climbing experience is recommended, or join us in a 2-day program to develop these skills.
Smith Rock Climbing School (Timberline Mountain Guides) reserves the right to cancel or modify a trip due to circumstances beyond our control, including COVID, world events and acts of God. Payments are always non-refundable, even under these circumstances.
- A 20% deposit per booking is required to reserve your trip. This deposit is non-refundable under all circumstances because we begin to spend this money on your behalf right away.
- Full payment is due 60 days before your program’s start date. This payment is non-refundable under all circumstances. No cancellations, group-size changes, or date-changes are allowed after this date.
- Date-change requests are subject to availability and cost $50 per booking. Date-changes are not allowed within 60 days of your program’s start date, and must be within the same calendar year.
We adhere to these policies under all circumstances, and therefore we recommend that you purchase trip/travel insurance or wait to register until closer to your desired date.
Private Group Registration:
If you plan to schedule a private group climb, the Group Leader will be responsible for all deposits and payments for the entire group. Each individual must still complete our Registration Form. We require younger climbers (under 16 years) to join us in a private setting.
Acknowledgement of Risk Forms:
At the start of your program you will be asked to sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form. We recommend that you take the time to read this form prior to arriving, and we invite you to call our office in advance if you have any questions about it.
Climbing and mountaineering involve inherent risks – many that we can manage to a degree – some that are beyond our control. By signing, you assume responsibility for all the risks associated with this activity, and you acknowledge the hazards that are beyond our control. We do not assume liability for injuries or death. All participants are completely responsible for all medical and hospital costs associated with any injury, rescue or evacuation. You go at your own risk.
FITNESS AND TRAINING
Rock Climbing can be a physically challenging activity. We will choose climbing routes that are suitable to your fitness level and experience. As you develop skill, you may climb routes of increasing difficulty. In the meantime, to prepare for the best climbing experience we recommend focusing on overall fitness. Activites like running, swimming, yoga and weightlifting can help you build general strength and stamina, as well as balance and the mental fortitude to push through difficulties.
MEDICAL HISTORY
First and foremost, it is imperative that you inform your guide of all your medical history and current physical condition. This information helps your guide to make informed decisions about your program, and in the event of an emergency, potentially life-saving decisions. Our programs operate in remote locations where advanced medical care and evacuation may not be available for hours.
If you have any long-term side-effects from past injuries or illness please include these in your medical history. Any current injuries or conditions that could impact your performance should be disclosed, as well as a list of all medications that you are taking. Any asthma or allergies to food, animals or the environment should be included in your form.
WEATHER
Though it is relatively uncommon to have rain at Smith Rock, we do experience all types of weather during our rock climbing trips. We can usually wait out the short squalls that are characteristic of Spring in the High Desert. In the rare event that we will be unable to climb due to inclement weather your guide will contact you directly to discuss your options.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Climbing is a dangerous activity. While our job is to guide you through the technical activities, our guides cannot completely shield you from every possible hazard. Each person who enters a natural area like Smith Rock or the other locations that we guide must recognize that there are inherent hazards. Not all of those hazards can be mitigated or avoided in the course of rock climbing. Some hazards may be unobvious. Climbing is a fun sport that challenges the mind and body. It also has the potential to injure and kill. Therefore every participant should take personal responsibility for looking out for the well-being of the entire group, and exercising care throughout the climb.
Travel Insurance
Trip cancellations can happen for a variety of unexpected reasons that are beyond anyone’s control. For example, airline delays and cancellations, lost luggage, injuries right before your trip, and family emergencies.
Because we must plan our trips months in advance – not knowing what conditions or weather may bring – we are unable to offer refunds, exchanges or rainchecks for our programs in the weeks before they begin and we will uphold our written policies in all cases. After the cancellation deadline has passed it is very unlikely that we’ll be able to resell your spot, in the event that you must cancel your participation in a program. With this in mind, we strongly recommend that climbers who register for our programs obtain travel insurance.
There are many different companies that offer travel insurance. Each policy has specific limitations that you will need to clearly understand in order to choose the best policy. Some require you to purchase a policy within a limited time of registering for a trip, so we recommend that you look into your options as soon as possible.