Cool temps, sunny skies, quieter crowds, and screeching Bald Eagles. This time of the year reminds me why I love to climb at Smith Rocks. Holds that felt impossible to hang on to a month ago, feel tacky and usable. I have spent the last few weeks putting my energy into Chemical Ali (14a). Chemical is a different type of route than Smith’s other 14a’s due to its powerful moves on fairly good holds. It requires more power than technical savvy, although there are still a few moves that still require a great deal of balance and technique. The top turns into an endurance problem where you just have to keep pulling with good holds, bad feet, and a healthy pump in your arms. I came close on my last go falling above the 2nd crux, but with most of Smith’s harder routes it is never really quite over. Luckily the weather looks good for the next few days. Time to try hard!