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Jeff Thomas: Oregon’s Climbing Historian

An intimate look at the influential career of Jeff Thomas, a man whose vision helped shape the landscape of Pacific Northwest mountaineering.

Pat Callis and The Hen (1959)

Pat and Gayle Callis describe their eventful meeting with Willie Unsoeld at the base of The Hen in the Menagerie Winderness in 1959 while he climbs this classic line more than sixty years later.  

Ranger: The Canine Alpinist (1927 – 1940)

Climbing to the summit of Mt. Hood over 500 times, this Alsatian Shepard was a favorite of local climbers in the 1920s and 1930s. This 8-minute documentary chronicles the life of this amazing and beloved mountaineer.

Tom Bauman and the North Rabbit Ear (1969)

In the 1960s, Oregon climbers lagged behind their peers, except for Tom Bauman, who advanced local standards. His notable ascents at Smith Rock and the Menagerie included climbs done in hiking shoes, achieving Oregon’s first two-pitch 5.10.

The Secret of Sky Ridge (FA 1970)

Sky Ridge at Smith Rock is an iconic climbing route starting at The Asterisk and ascending a beautiful ridge with snow-capped cascades in the background. 

The Best 30 Feet of Climbing in Oregon

Doug Phillips describes The Hen as The Best 30 Feet of rock climbing in Oregon. Watch Steve Lyford makes the difficult look effortless on this early classic climb in the Menagerie Wilderness. 

Jerry Ramsey & the Christian Brothers (1959)

Jerry Ramsey briefly describes how he and his brother, Jim, named the well-known formation at Smith Rock in 1959. The west side of the Christian Brothers can be best reached by climbing over Asterick Pass.

Cabin in the Sky: The Mt. Hood Lookout (1915)

In August 1915, Oregon mountaineer and Forest Service ranger Lige Coalman established a fire lookout cabin atop the 11,225-foot summit of Mt. Hood with the intent of creating an early warning system for forest fire detection and suppression.

Raising the Grade: Oregon’s First 5.11s

The first three 5.11 climbs in Oregon are featured in this look back at the history of pioneering climbers who were Raising the Grade.

Jim Ramsey and The Awl (1961)

Jim Ramsey describes his early ascent of this timeless Smith Rock pillar as his son, Bill Ramsey, and Alan Watts tackle this line, once the hardest rock climb in Oregon and still a formidable challenge. 

George Cummings & Rattle Snake Chimney (1963)

George Cummings describes his first ascent at Smith Rock in 1963 and why he named it Rattle Snake Chimney. A deep chimney with a large chalkstone, around the corner from Moonshine Dihedral.

Peawabe First Ascent: 1935 (nee Squaw Rock)

John Bissel made the first 5th class climb in the Smith Rock area in 1935 summiting Peawabe (nee Squaw Rock). This 2-minute video is a tribute to his pioneering summit.