In business since 2003, Smith Rock Climbing Guides, Inc. is insured and permitted through the state of Oregon.  Our safety record is unblemished.  We are committed to providing a safe, professional, and rewarding experience.

Rest assured you are in the best of hands!     

Featured Guides 

  

  Home: Redmond, OR
  Years Climbing: 22
  Years Guiding: 11

Certifications and training:

          • American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Certified Rock Instructor
          • B.S. Geology, San Diego State Univ., 2002
          • Certified Wilderness First Responder, WMI, NOLS
          • Combat Lifesaver first responder training (US Army)

David is originally from Washington state, where he started out climbing the northwest volcanoes with his family.  By age 13 he had discovered rock climbing, and was soon helping to establish new climbs on the basalt crags of central Washington.  A well rounded climber, David has onsighted 5.12d sport climbs, redpointed 5.12d crack climbs, and aided A4.  He has numerous first ascents on rock and ice in the western US.  He has guided in Washington, Oregon, and California, and has trip led on successful ascents of over 20 grade V and VI big walls, including numerous ascents of El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite.  In addition to vertical pursuits, David has guided class 5 whitewater, completed an Eco-Challenge (Borneo 2000), and currently holds the speed record for the traverse of the Three Sisters mountains.  A Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard, he spent a year in Iraq with the 1st Infantry Division.  As our Lead Guide and an AMGA Certified Rock Instructor, David is a skilled Guide with a wealth of experience and technical knowledge to share with his clients.

  Cameron Harris

  Home: Bend, OR                                            
  Years Climbing: 14
  Years Guiding: 6
                                                                                       

Certifications and training:

         • Wilderness First Responder, WMI, NOLS
         • AASI Level I certified Instructor         
         • B.A. Psychology, UC Santa Barbara, 2003         
         • Masters in Teaching (MAT), George Fox Univ., 2010         
 

Cameron started climbing in Southern California, spending most of his time on the crack climbs of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding areas.   Drawn to the adventure and athletic challenge of the sport, he has since climbed major alpine routes and big walls, ranging from speed ascents of the Grand Teton and Long’s Peak, to grade VI big walls in Yosemite valley.  A 5.12 leader and V6 boulderer, he excels at the technical aspects of climbing.   He also has a gift for teaching, and relaying climbing knowledge to others.  Before coming to work with Smith Rock Climbing Guides, Cameron worked with youth summer climbing camps and led wilderness programs for teens, doing his best to open up the world of climbing and the outdoors to others.  In fact, he enjoys teaching so much that he has since attained his Masters of Teaching degree.  When the summer guiding season is done, he works as a high school science teacher.  Cameron is a highly knowledgeable and competent instructor, and his clients often remark on his professionalism and exceptional skill as a guide.

  Jonathan Schrock

•   Home: Bend, OR
•   Years Climbing: 10
  
•   Years Guiding: 3
  

Certifications and Training:

• Wilderness First Responder WMI, NOLS
• AIARE Avalanche level I
• Certified Private Pilot
  
• B.A. Business, Linfield College, 2002            

  Dave McRae

  Home: Bend, OR
  Years Climbing: 16
  Years Guiding: 4

Certifications and training:

         • Associate of Science degree, Weber State University, 1998
         • Certified Private Pilot

Dave is an all-around mountain man.  An accomplished backcountry snowboarder, mountaineer, and rock climber, he can climb the hardest route on the mountain and then ride down it.  Originally from Ogden, Utah, he started climbing rock and ice in his late teens, and has since summited countless peaks in the continental U.S. and Alaska Range.  He is also certified as a pilot.  His experiences have helped fuel a love of writing.  He has written feature articles for Climbing, and is the staff adventure writer for the Oregon publication Cascades East.  Dave has been a Smith Rock local since 1999.  Although he can lead 5.12, he also enjoys exploring the many easy and moderate routes, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area.  Most importantly, he posesses a great mix of outstanding technical knowledge and warm personality.  His clients are quick to become friends, and he is a highly requested and recommended Guide.

  Ryan Carrasco 

  Home: Bend, OR
  Years Climbing: 10
  Years Guiding: 3

Certifications and training:

          • B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 2001
          • Wilderness First Aid, WMI, NOLS
                   

Ryan has wasted no time in the years since he began climbing.  Originally from Michigan, he started climbing in his college years and was drawn west by the adventure of the mountains.  Since then he has taken on peaks and routes that have pushed him to excel in the climbing arena.  His accomplishments range from ascents of grade VI big walls on Yosemite's El Capitan to technical alpine ascents in the mountains of Alaska.  Ryan is naturally skilled as a Guide as well, with a calming demeanor and personable nature that puts his clients at ease.  He uses his role as a Guide to enrich the lives of those around him.  In partnership with Smith Rock Climbing Guides, Ryan volunteers with community groups such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters to provide kids an unforgettable experience.  In addition, he has dedicated much effort toward leading troubled kids out of gangs and into a healthy lifestyle, and has spoken publicly about his own past experiences in this regard.  Ryan is a great example, motivator, and instructor, as well as a talented climber.

  Taylor Haring 

  Home: Terrebonne, OR and Bozeman, MT
  Years Climbing: 9
  Years Guiding: 4

Certifications and training:

          • AMGA Rock Instructor Course
          • Wilderness First Responder, WMI, NOLS         
          • Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC)          
          • EMT-B          
          • AIARE Avalanche level II          
          • PSIA level III                    

Taylor learned to climb in his home state of Oklahoma. After spending a couple of years honing his skills and nerve on sparsely protected granite domes, he moved to southern Utah to focus on desert crack climbing. Since then he has spent nearly all of his time climbing rock, ice, and skiing in the backcountry. A talented climber, he has redpointed 5.12c in both the sport and crack climbing disciplines, and he has a passion for alpine climbing. Some of his favorite climbs are on remote technical peaks in the Montana Rockies, which require a wide breadth of skill and technical knowledge.  Taylor spends the warm months guiding with us at Smith Rock Climbing Guides, and the cold months as a ski instructor at Big Sky and Bridger Bowl resorts in Montana. He has been at this for five years, but he claims to enjoy rock climbing more, as there is less time spent cold and wet. Along the way, he has been working toward a philosophy degree at Montana State University. Having completed the AMGA Rock Instructor course, Taylor is serious about advancing in the rock guiding profession as well. An intelligent, professional, and particularly competent instructor, he has a bright future in the industry.       

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