What sets us apart from other Smith Rock climbing guide services?
AMGA Accredited Service Since 1999
Personalized, Professional Instruction and Guiding
Our Commitment to Service and Stewardship
AMGA Accredited since 1999
Chockstone Climbing Guides started as First Ascent Climbing Services. Under the name First Ascent Climbing Services, we were the first Smith Rock guide service accredited by the American Mountain Guide Association in 1999. The AMGA, is a non-profit, nationally recognized education, certification and industry standards climbing guide/instructor organization. Accreditation lets you know that all of our guides and instructors are committed to their professional development through coursework, exams and experience. Accreditation means that our staff follow best practices in the field and our company meets the highest industry standards of business practices regarding permits, insurances and environmental practices.
There are only two accredited guide services at Smith Rock State Park. At Chockstone Climbing Guides we believe all clients deserve the best service from professionals that are trained in the current, highest standards of practice in our industry. Visit AMGA.com to find more information about the American Mountain Guides Association
Hire a local professional climbing guide
Hiring a local, trained and seasoned professional helps you maximize your time on the rock and get the most out of your day. Our guides know Smith Rock State Park intimately. We know the climbs most appropriate for your climbing goals and skill level. We also know where to seek the shade on hotter days and find the sun on colder days.
Commitment to Service
We are committed to the preservation and service to our environment, community and Smith Rock State Park.
- Contribute to on-going efforts in anchor and bolt replacement and new route development.
- We participate in annual organized trail restoration and maintenance projects.
- 10 yrs as “Adopt a State Park” volunteers; handling recycling all glass from Smith Rock State Park that would otherwise be sent to the landfill.
Chockstone Climbing Guide History
After guiding and working in Colorado for 10 years, Jim Ablao moved to Oregon in 1999 and immediately began guiding for First Ascent at Smith Rock State Park. With his strong guide and climbing resume he quickly became the lead guide and manager. After a few years, along with his wife Anne and a handful of committed climbing guides, they formed Chockstone Climbing Guides, committed to a high standard of quality and professionalism.
First Ascent and Chockstone Climbing Guides officially merged together in 2005, when Jim purchased First Ascent Climbing Services. Carol Simpson, First Ascent’s founder and the first woman owned and operated guide service in the Pacific Northwest, was happy to pass on her company to someone she knew would carry on the quality programs that had been in place. Chockstone Climbing Guides has continued to offer the women’s climbing clinics offered by female guides that Simpson pioneered.
Jim also began offering professional development AMGA SPI courses and exams that train and certify Single Pitch Instructors for many climbing programs throughout the Northwest US. As a person of color, Jim is involved in the BIPOC American Mountain Guide Association courses.
Our Smith Rock Climbing Camps have been running for over 20 years; bringing talented committed young climbers from all over the country, these advanced level camps focus on bridging strong indoor skills to developing experience and skills for independent climbing at the crag. We expanded our camp offerings to adults in 2013. The Smith Rock Climbing Camps are one of the only overnight camps of its kind in the US.
VISIT OUR GUIDE PAGE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR AMAZING CLIMBING GUIDES