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Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:37 am
by tpendley4968
Me and a few guys are thinking about going up the Middle Sister next weekend, however I have only gone up to the summit a few time via the Obsidian Trail Approach. I read on another thread that Mckenzie HWY is closed and I would like to try another approach anyway. I also usually wait until Late summer to go, as I don't have a ton of experience going up in the snow. What approach from the South or East Side would be the safest route? We all have Crampons and Iceaxes if needed, but don't want to end up on the news either!!!....

Any info would be helpful....Thanks

Todd

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 12:21 am
by philoparts
I haven't looked to see if Pole Creek trail is open, I know people use that approach.

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 12:25 am
by philoparts
Ok, looks like a few updates.

Pole Creek TH – Trailhead accessible, trail cleared for 1.2 miles with snow/blow down further up the trail with snowline around 5,800’.


Hwy 242, McKenzie Pass, Highway has opened to normal summertime traffic with length restriction in effect.


http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299503.pdf

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:45 am
by mountainsandsound
Hi Todd, I think you tried to email about conditions. My brother and I did not get to the Sisters, only Shasta. I had been thinking about climbing up the Diller Headwall on the eastside if the snow coverage was adequate.

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:28 am
by kylenicolls
I've been wanting to do something around there this coming weekend. But I wanted to do via obsidion. It's still TBD, as I have a few others that might want to do something else in the regoin.

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:13 am
by nicozone
I was on the North Ridge via Hayden route on 6/16, and Pole Creek TH had zero snow. Same with the Trail 4070 that runs from PCTH to Green Lakes. But there is some blow down and snow covering the Trail 4072 heading up to the 7000' mark on Middle Sister. Perfect conditions as long as the winds are good.

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:21 am
by tpendley4968
I have only gone in the Obsidian way....if I go the Pole Creek side, is there a water source that would be a good camping spot for the night at the base between N & M? Thanks in advance!

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:07 am
by tpendley4968
Alright, thanks everyone. I made it back in one piece to the summit of Middle Sister. Quite a bit of snow, never gone this early. Huge avalanche on the east side...that was pretty cool to see. Thankfully we were already half way down. That would of given me a pucker facter since it was so close to the summit where it cut loose. We entered the Pole Creek side and pretty much had the mountain to ourselves. Thanks for the replies....we had fun!

Re: Middle Sister 6/30/12 planned

PostPosted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:46 pm
by kaiwaldron
Did you guys go up Hayden glacier? If so, how were the crevasses looking? Did you feel any need to rope up?