Climbing guides are inconsiderate and unprofessional (Smith Rock June 19th 2023). Guides camped out on 4 routes for 6+ hours at a popular climbing area at Smith Rock. Often times leaving their ropes up for 30-45 minutes without anyone even climbing on them. There was an easier route (5.9) that was open when I got there but I made the mistake of leaving it open out of courtesy because it was very close to where they were climbing. 3-4 hours later, it was still open and they were still camping out on all the most popular easier routes. I then realized what they were all about so I took my gear over to that climb and was told as I was about to tie in to lead a climb that I could not climb because they were going to set up a top rope on that climb. I looked up and saw somebody walking over toward that climb to do so. I was all ready to climb! I was told that they would get their group up as quickly as possible for me. 2 HOURS LATER, when asking if my family could take 20 minutes to climb one of the routes we were refused the courtesy. Standard practice is to work with one another in a friendly matter to all get along and enjoy climbing. I would recommend anyone looking to go climbing hire a professional guide service that knows what they are doing. The "guides" that were at Smith Rock yesterday were very unprofessional. Don't be a Gumby, hire a professional from a real guide service.

Northwest Outward Bound School is a great place to work! The staff show care and compassion to each other and to students.