Granted that I am a very intermediate film guy, this is my favorite way to express creativity and my passion for such a proud sub-culture, rock climbing. As I am one of the leading member of the Ryan Palo fan club (Sarcasm intended), he has alway givin' me something to chase around. Ryan's ambition, kindness and humor have made all these Oreganic projects exciting and interesting to work on. My goal is to share these emotions and adventures though these films, whether a choppy, climbing porn or a short story.

This short film highlights Ryan Palo as the first Bend resident to Redpoint the proud and world famous route, Just Do It. This route was recognized as the highest graded route in the United States for several year and still has a very savage & historical reputation. I learned a great deal of history about the route during my interview with Alan Watts. Someday I will release a more lengthy film with all of the interviews and footage I collect along the way, with my mission being the History of Smith Rock Climbing.

I realized I left out a credit. The Scott Franklin portrait photo is by Cathy Beloeil. Still unsure who shot the Didier Raboutou Snowbird shot. Palo shot the b/w Monkey Face photo.

Anyway, Happy Holidays. Keep rocking at life.

Peace- GG

Rogue River Bachelor Party

I created this "Real World" style video as a gift for my good friend Brent. This was his bachelor party. Better than strippers right? We floated the Wild & Scenic section of the Rogue River for 5-days. I shot the whole trip with a GoPro Hero. About halfway through editing my program was locking up, I think it was my hardware. I was able to export and finish with only a few audio and cutting errors I just couldn't fix. This was a super fun project. There is some heavy language. If you are bothered by that... fuck it, you should still watch it. Congratulations to my good friends Brent & Maylene Campbell.

20 minutes of pure debauchery, grab a beer and enjoy.

Eat, sleep, climb, dance.

It’s open season at Smith Rock. Temps are sick, people are psyched and I see some sick ascents on the horizon. Many people will agree that Smith Rock climbing can sometimes be a mental nightmare, but that nightmare is balanced by one of the friendliest climbing communities in the country.

Living out here in the country has it’s up’s and down’s, but I’d say mostly “up’s”. The Good Earth… Terrebonne is home to America’s first sport climbing crag, surrounded by beautiful countryside and endless mountain views. But with such a small sleeper  community, it’s very hard to have a social life. Winter is brutally boring if the sun doesn’t shine. Redmond sucks. Fall and Spring are pretty happening in the climbing world, but then what. The Terrebonne Depot is super fun, not late enough. The Fan (aka The Big T’s)? NEVER! Ha! Well, I assume you’ve seen Field of Dreams? We created the Field of Dreams, except it’s 8 kegs, a bar, stage and dance floor by a field.

This is how. I’ll try not to spray to much. Last Winter I entered the Ninkasi Brewery Fresh Flicks outdoor sports video contest. I had two weeks to pumps something out. I didn’t have a camera anymore so I resorted to my hard drive to gather footage that I could piece together for a halfway descent climbing porn. Friends show up to vote and I ended up with 1^st prize; Two season passes to Hoodoo and a one year, $1500 sponsorship from Ninkasi Brewery. That’s a lot of beer.  We decided to throw some parties.

The Sunday of last Labor Day weekend offered the perfect time to start it off. I thought Sunday night would be appropriate for a few different reasons. First, less competition for a groovy crowd. Second, two days of climbing in a row at Smith is rough. People are more willing to get rowdy and throw a few back that second night. What better way to spend day three of your crusty vacation than recovering you tendons with a side of hangover. It was like Spring Break in Cabo. Almost. We started off with a reggae band from Bend, The 2^nd Hand Soldiers. They killed it. 4 kegs down.

Then comes the Fall. The money time of year. Smith is packed, locals are stuck on their projects, let’s party. I ordered a nice little “potty box”, Kegs, and extreme freak dancers from Vegas. Justin and Andi set up their food cart, SoWild Fish & Chip. We set up the lights, then the bar, and waited. On Saturday, October 8^th Tony Smiley had the crown hoppin’. For those of you that don’t know of this man, Tony Smiley is a one man band who packs the dance floor with his mix of  rock, human beat boxing, 80's new wave rhythms, and yes, dash of Mongolian throat singing, combine into one huge mountain of a performance. His songs are original, groove laden works of art that rock. He is a loop ninja. Who doesn’t love ninjas? Five Ten and Metlious Mountain Products hooked up some shoes and gear to raffle off to help support the chaos.

2 kegs and one party left. The next weekend was unbelievable. It was like a Snoop Dogg video. The talented 4 on the Floor showed up and decided to throw a bluegrass tantrum. Clothes were coming off, dirty dancing, people were doing body shots! Something like that.

Huge thanks to Ninkasi Brewery in Eugene, Oregon, Metolius Mountain Products, Five Ten, Tony Smiley, 4 on the Floor, Dearric Winchester, Luke, Jesse and everyone who showed up.

My thoughts? We should do this every season. I think we need a beer sponsorship. Get updated on future parties through our Facebook page.

Photos by Dearric Winchester

Cheers.

Smith Rock Opening Season Party

Opening climbing season at Smith Rock. Come celebrate with live music at an outdoor venue/bar 4-miles from Smith. 

Ear Orgasm: Tony Smiley is a one man band who packs the dance floor show after show. 

His mix of rock, human beat boxing, 80's new wave rhythms, and yes, dash of Mongolian throat singing, 

combine into one huge mountain of a performance. His songs are original, groove laden 

works of art that most importantly, rock! 

Tasty Treats

Also Joining us will be SoWild Fish & Chips food cart owned by local climbers Justin & Andi Brown.  SoNummy.

Snooze

Camping is available just down the road (Lone Pine) at Skull Hollow (aka Grasslands) and at the 

Smith Rock State Park Bivy, 4 miles away. Please be responsible leaving the venue.

We're asking for an optional $5 donation for entry. If you are a total dirtbag and just can't do it, don't worry. You can throw that $5 toward a bottomless Ninkasi beer cup. Start collecting bottles & cans. All proceeds help to cover music, bathrooms and other party expenses. We will not profit. 

Icing on the Cake: FIVE TEN & METOLIUS CLIMBING are kicking down donations items. 

Gear, gift certificates, t-stirts and dank swag.

Please no dogs.

Check this Ninja:

Oreganic Volume 2

The Oreganic Series—Volume 2

It's the beginning of the climbing season for some. Others are stuck in the gym dreaming of the real thing. For the fortunate ones who can ditch their jobs and classes, there's year-round fun chasing the best temps at the best crags.

Home to world-class crack climbing and over 60 bouldering satellites, Oregon hides under the radar of many travelers. The quest for new areas has left many classic crags like Smith Rock forgotten by the climbing masses. Yet there's year-round climbing, time-honored test pieces and stellar untapped projects.

Oreganic Vol.2 leads off with a bit of a twist. A few Bend Dirtbags take it to the neighboring state of Idaho. Ryan Palo briefs us on some basic Boyscout skills before swingin’ like an utter from Riggin’s own limestone cave.

On deck, Ethan Pringle charges Scarface, Smith Rock, with an obscure sequence skipping the famous mono move. Scarface has been recognized as the first 5.14a established by an American on U.S. soil. After Scott Franklin did the first ascent in 1988, Todd Skinner and Throwin’’ The Houlihan in Wild Iris, Wyoming joined the ranks in 1991. After a brief down-rating to 13d, Scarface is still among the most classic hard routes in the world holding it’s grade at 5.14a.

As a closer, Cody Scarpella pushes a new Trout Creek line. Weeks later Cody proudly claimed the first ascent of the ultra-classic May Fly, 5.12+.

Enjoy.

Music:

MarvEllis  www.marvellis.com (opening instumental)

Medium Troy  www.mediumtroy.com

Film/Edit: Greg Garretson

Oreganic Volume 1, Smith Rocks

The Oreganic Series--a historical and fresh film series of the best climbing spots in Oregon.

It's the beginning of the climbing season for some. Others are stuck in the gym dreaming of the real thing. For the fortunate ones who can ditch their jobs and classes, there's year-round fun chasing the best temps at the best crags.

Home to world-class crack climbing and over 60 bouldering satellites, Oregon hides under the radar of many travelers. The quest for new areas has left many classic crags like Smith Rock forgotten by the climbing masses. Yet there's year-round climbing--time-honored test pieces and stellar untapped projects.

The new Oreganic video series explores the excitement that is Oregon climbing. From finger pimpin’ to playground stunts, the series focuses on a variety of climbing and lifestyle. The man behind the camera, Greg Garretson, follows living legends to unsung powerhouses through the Oregon experience.

Whether you're facebooking at work or living the "freebird" lifestyle, the Oreganic Video series will put a smile on your face. Enjoy.

Monkey Swing: Adam Ermatinger

Climbing

Aggro Monkey: Jonathan Siegrist

Chemical Ali: Ryan Palo

Rude Boys: Luke Neufeld-Cumming

Slackline: Joel Springer

Music: Marv Ellis, Dreamcatcher Juice

www.marvellis.com

www.geartribe.com

Film/Edit: Greg Garretson

Jesse, Day In The Life

Jesse & I put this video together in a fews days of filming with a GoPro and editing. This was birthday present for him mom. Jesse has been climbing on the road for a while and settled in Central Oregon. This was also a great way to show his distant family a "day in the Life".
Enjoy