Sport Climbing

In the 1980s, Smith Rock became ground zero for the sport climbing movement. As naturally protected terrain grew scarce, the local climbing community began exploring virgin, blank faces that could only be climbed using bolt protection. Once controversial, sport climbing is now fully embraced by the global climbing community.

From the beginning, Metolius supported this new style of climbing and played a key role in its growth. Sport climbing’s reliable bolt protection not only increases safety but also lets climbers focus on the challenge of the movements and solving the “puzzle” of each route. With just a few basic tools—rope, harness, quickdraws, climbing shoes, and a chalk bag—today’s sport climbers have nearly endless routes to explore and enjoy.