After ripping endless runs of lift accessed powder on Hoodoo's second-to-last day of the regular season, Tyler, Dustin and I headed to Smith Rock to make the coveted first ascent of a little known tower near Monkey Face.
"Brad Englund's Tower (or some other phallic name if you prefer)" rises an astounding 30 feet from the desert floor and consists of the best rock Smith has to offer. The route "Piolet d'Or" follows an astonishing line of four bolts to the summit. Brad Englund is a low profile Oregon hardman who pioneered many ascents on chossy features throughout the state, often rope solo and involving bolt ladders. (He even made the first ascent of the finger on the Titan down in the Fisher towers). We thought this would be a fitting tribute to our friend.
If an intrepid adventurer decides to repeat this daunting route, be sure to tread lightly as the whole thing seems on the verge of falling over.
