"Where Swallows Fly" highline complete

Here are some shots of the two lines I recently established, rigged and walked between Red Wall and Picnic Lunch Wall at Smith Rock. Chuck Williams cruises the newest Smith mid-line getting the second full man send of "Wizards Cap" while I work my way across the newest highline, "Where Swallows Fly." In the past four days I've hiked heavy loads, bolted two new lines and walked them both full-man with quick work. I feel in great physical and mental shape and am psychologically getting ready for some bigger Yosemite hikes and highlines. Another incredible day finished in central Oregon with a double rainbow at sunset and a big box just received in the mail... It contains 800' of Man-tra webbing and more goodies to match... Go big or go home!

All photos taken by Brian Mosbaugh

"Wizards Cap" Established

New line bolted, rigged and walked today. Around 35 feet long and 25 feet above the deck, it's a great beginners line and reasonable introduciton to slacklining off the ground with a harness and leash. "Wizards Cap" was a line I wanted to establish as a starting point for other slackliners interested in bridging the gap into highlining. It's located above Redwall and spans to the delicate arch feature with two visible holes in the rock. A very aesthetic position for the line with little exposure but great scenic views of the Marsupial cliffs. I'm Headed back in the next couple of days to rig the long Redwall highline I recently bolted, so stay tuned for more photos and footage. The theme now is do something new, be something new, be the first...

Windy Daze Teaser

The newest highline addition to Smith Rock State Park in beautiful Central Oregon. This is now the sixth established highline at the park (my third FA contribution) with many more on the way... I shot this line with the help of generous friends (much thanks to Thomas Sloss, Jesse Brown, Greg Garretson, Dearric Winchester and Mike Volk in particular) using 4 GoPros and a ground camera to capture the long zoom shots. My great friend Thomas Sloss was crucial in realizing this highline, helping to bolt this project and also getting the second crossing while he was visiting. Here is a brief teaser of the line with more detailed footage to come in the fall with the release of the outdoor adventure series The Outsiders. This is a video project that Mike Volk and I are currently collaborating on which will document, with a 13 part series, the spirit of non-motorized outdoor adventure sports. There will be a published episode focusing on the essence of the highline lifestyle, the beauty of Smith Rock and the new FAs I am currently establishing... Enjoy the timelapse footage!

Filmed and Edited by Brian Mosbaugh

Mike Volk (Executive Producer of Outback Media Group) website: www.outbackchannel.com

Musical Artist: http://greenbuttonmusic.com/, "Deans Struggle"

Progression in the Vertical World

BD athlete Adam Ondra making the first ascent of Chaxi Raxi (9b) at Oliana, Spain from Black Diamond Equipment on Vimeo.

Crushing at a new standard!

Publications

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The Gazzette Times frontpage for Mother's Day of 2011 featured a story on Thomas Sloss and I highlining at Smith Rock. Check out the "share" link above to read the full article and see the published photos. Thanks goes out to Bennett Hall and the wonderful Scobel Wiggins for taking an interest in something a little outside the box.

~B

Lensed Beauty: Sightings

http://tylerroemer.blogspot.com/2011/05/sightings.html

Check out a professional view of the newest Smith Rock highline "Windy Daze". Tyler Roemer's lensed perspectives are sure to stimulate the senses and leave you thinking.

"Windy Daze"

A newly established highline ("Windy Daze") on the backside of Smith Rock has been walked by Thomas Sloss and Brian Mosbaugh today. It was first sent by Brian Mosbaugh (FA full-man) with an Onsight in one direction and then by Thomas Sloss onsight one way. There has yet to be an official measure of the line but our educated guess was around 130 feet in length. We placed 4 mega 5/8 inch bolts (Type 18 Terry style) for each anchor and used stainless steel chain links in place of hangers. The beauty of this rig is that the bolts are easily disguised so as to not obstruct the view and are only accessible if you are willing to climb/solo up vertical terrain and crumbly rock. As a side note, atop one of the formations Jesse Brown found a very old yellow Kodak film canister under a rock that contained a note from the first recorded ascents of the tower back in 1961 and 1969. It's an interesting thought that this time capsule is now 50 years old, a great testament to the history of rock climbers and their continuing exploration of the vertical world. In the end, this line was a pretty tricky send that constantly battled the ripping wind with momentary lapses of calm. Despite the intimidating conditions we pulled out the first crossings and are very proud of the final product. Positioned over an alcove like feature, between two lichened covered rock towers, it parallels the beautiful Cascade mountains and Crooked River in addition to walking directly toward the iconic Monkey Face. A written description doesn't do justice to the postcard view so video will be posted at a later date... More bolts to be placed, more lines to be walked!

~B

Photo taken by/of Brian Mosbaugh

New Highlines at Smith Rock!

As of today Charlie Long, Joel Sprenger, and Jesse Brown bolted a new highline that spans the awl feature on the backside of Smith Rock (just right of Asteriks Pass as you are Monkey bound). They all got the first walks/FAs and Jesse was able to send his second highline!... It's positioned in an aesthetic location facing the river and seems fitting for a first Smith Rock highline since its not as overwhelmingly exposed as many other lines here. Weighing in at about 30 feet it's a very fun angled line... In addition, Thomas and I also bolted a new highline that spans a 130' gap on the backside as well (just down from the awl heading toward the Monkey). It parallels the Crooked River and Cascade Mountains while walking (in one direction) directly toward the epic and iconic Monkey Face. We're heading back to rig the line proper tomorrow and we're all very excited to put up a new FA (First Ascent/Across). I'll make sure to get some good footage of the line and publish some pictures as they're documented. Until then... keep it slack!

~B