graham - Jul 15, 2011 12:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2011
Hayden Glacier route
Great day on MS with great views of all the Oregon volcanoes lined up
e-doc - May 25, 2011 1:35 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2011
snow snow everywhere
Snowshoed in from Pole Cr. Record spring snow in the Cascades. Snow and wind Monday afternoon and night but totally clear early morning. My partner became ill at the saddle and I summited solo. Beautiful day.
I first climbed the Middle Sister during a week at Boy Scout Camp Melakwa. That was back in 1970. Had a great time.
iquest4it - Dec 25, 2010 6:40 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2010
I did this sister twice in a day
As part of my solo Marathon, I camped at the highest cave in Oregon on the summit of Middle Sister, so I had to re-summit it after climbing N. Sister earlier in the day. Then I went down the west side to do South Sister the next day. One of the most incredible climbs of my life. I also had a ice alpine summit of Middle from the Obsidian Trail side earlier in the year.
We camped somwhere just east of camp lake. Hiked a ridge that I believe was the next ridge over from the main southeast route. No need for crampons or ice ax via this route, unless you start really early. The snow was mushy enough that crampons wouldnt have done anything. Mosquitos are heinous in places, not bad at all in other spots. I would recommend camping lower to avoid the bugs.
nicozone - Jul 5, 2010 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2010
Horrible June Weather
Attempted to climb from the Obsidian Trailhead, but we ended up starting at 7 miles down the Old McKenzie Hwy because the road is still closed. Heavy snow covered the ground for at least a few feet starting at the trailhead and all the trails are completely buried. We navigated by the lava flows, but had to turn back after thick fog and snow rolled in.
Left my girlfriend at the time about 1700' below the summit, where she was "attacked" by hummingbirds. I had to hear about that for the rest of the relationship.
Snowslogger - Dec 28, 2009 12:56 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 1995
2/3 part of marathon
Same story as North Sister, 3 sis marathon attempt, bailed off S. Sis, long hike to trailhead in the dark.
jyojt - Dec 8, 2009 1:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2004
solo
this was one of my first climbs when i was inexperienced but adventurous, did the south sister the day before
sassyplatt - Oct 3, 2009 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 1989
One of my first big mountains
Young, full of energy, and in love. Amazed by snow fields in the middle of summer. The start of my quest for new mountains.
rmick25 - Sep 4, 2009 3:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2008
Sweet solo
Climbed South snow route from Camp Lake. I love Camp Lake! Not a soul in sight on the mountain. Jon and Whitney congrats on the baby.
Climbing partner and I planning Middle Sister climb on weekend of Aug 15th... previous postings suggest that crampons a good even in mid-summer - would you agree? My review of maps does not make clear quickest road access and trail to ascend - any suggestions? much appreciated.
Noah (Oregon) - Aug 5, 2009 8:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2009
North AND South Ridge
We climbed the north ridge from the Hayden Glacier, got hit by a thunderstorm and descended to the PCT on the (west) Obsidian side. The next morning we hiked south and reclimbed the mountain from the PCT via Chambers Lakes and up the south ridge. We redescended the north ridge and Hayden Glacier before hiking out to Pole Creek Trailhead. Amazing weekend!
dirth - May 25, 2009 12:57 am Date Climbed: May 22, 2009
Fun Tune Up
Made a nice 2 day trip up Middle Sister to test out a bunch of gear and better coordinate packing for a 3 month trip we're planning this summer. Turns out the gear wasn't the issue, we are both just horribly out of shape. Fun snow climb up the North Ridge and great weather, just beat the Memorial Day Crowd.
justing - Feb 17, 2009 5:06 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2004
Re: North Ridge via Renfrew Date climbed: August 1987
I was summitpost surfing and came across your summit log. It is so true the walk out on the Obsidian trail is long. It's the last miles of featureless forest after lava flow that lulls one into hullucination. I reminised and had to laugh,
Larry.
Pallando - Sep 18, 2008 1:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2008
Who cares about mosquitoes?
My roommate and his brother visited from out of state and I told them I'd take them up a mountain. Middle was my first mountain, it's got some basic glacier travel and it's over 10,000 ft, so I got Friday through Monday off of work and we got packed.
Hiked in late Friday morning (9:00) and camped at Demaris. Set up camp, took quick swims, and got water at my favorite spring. My friends hated mosquitoes. I might be the only one in the world, but I'm okay with them. There were a lot, though. Slept outside, but when it started to rain, we managed three people in my solo tent until we got up to make breakfast.
Packed one gear bag and small daypacks and headed out. I took the gearbag, which was heavy, but my friends had never been this high before. We kept about the same pace most of the way up.
Roped up for Hayden Glacier. Had axes, but no crampons. This late in the summer and this late in the day, we managed fine following another group's tracks up the ridge of Hayden.
Left the gearbag in a bivi near Prouty and summited. Snow on the top in August! It was a cold year. Friends were gasping for air at the summit. Didn't spend much time before I took them back down. Crossed on the West side of Prouty and glissaded down Collier. Made it to camp. Friends decided mosquitoes were too much, so we came down two days early. Went to work on my day off, but content.
Perfect day on Middle Sister as summit #2 of three sisters marathon. Ascended north ridge route after coming down the south ridge of North Sister. On summit of North at 1040, and summit of Middle at 1340.
Climbing partner lost his digital camera (Canon ultracompact in a blue case) somewhere along the route between the south ridge of North and the summit of Middle...otherwise a perfect day doing the Three Sister's marathon!
physics - Aug 20, 2008 11:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2008
Route Climbed: N. Ridge via Renfrew Glacier Date Climbed: August 19, 2008
Climbed it solo 4 hrs up from Linton meadows during a backpacking trip with my family and cousins. Made it back to camp by 10AM. Easy walk up but was happy I brought crampons (needed them).
graham - Jul 15, 2011 12:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2011
Hayden Glacier routeGreat day on MS with great views of all the Oregon volcanoes lined up
e-doc - May 25, 2011 1:35 am Date Climbed: May 24, 2011
snow snow everywhereSnowshoed in from Pole Cr. Record spring snow in the Cascades. Snow and wind Monday afternoon and night but totally clear early morning. My partner became ill at the saddle and I summited solo. Beautiful day.
RetroGear - Jan 9, 2011 11:33 pm
My First PeakI first climbed the Middle Sister during a week at Boy Scout Camp Melakwa. That was back in 1970. Had a great time.
iquest4it - Dec 25, 2010 6:40 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2010
I did this sister twice in a dayAs part of my solo Marathon, I camped at the highest cave in Oregon on the summit of Middle Sister, so I had to re-summit it after climbing N. Sister earlier in the day. Then I went down the west side to do South Sister the next day. One of the most incredible climbs of my life. I also had a ice alpine summit of Middle from the Obsidian Trail side earlier in the year.
mansfieo - Dec 19, 2010 5:04 am
Fun ClimbFirst volcano I ever climbed. 12 years old
JGHarrison - Jul 11, 2010 11:44 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2010
SE Ridge ishWe camped somwhere just east of camp lake. Hiked a ridge that I believe was the next ridge over from the main southeast route. No need for crampons or ice ax via this route, unless you start really early. The snow was mushy enough that crampons wouldnt have done anything. Mosquitos are heinous in places, not bad at all in other spots. I would recommend camping lower to avoid the bugs.
nicozone - Jul 5, 2010 5:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2010
Horrible June WeatherAttempted to climb from the Obsidian Trailhead, but we ended up starting at 7 miles down the Old McKenzie Hwy because the road is still closed. Heavy snow covered the ground for at least a few feet starting at the trailhead and all the trails are completely buried. We navigated by the lava flows, but had to turn back after thick fog and snow rolled in.
kraymes - Jul 2, 2010 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 1989
N Ridge f/ the WestLeft my girlfriend at the time about 1700' below the summit, where she was "attacked" by hummingbirds. I had to hear about that for the rest of the relationship.
Snowslogger - Dec 28, 2009 12:56 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 1995
2/3 part of marathonSame story as North Sister, 3 sis marathon attempt, bailed off S. Sis, long hike to trailhead in the dark.
jyojt - Dec 8, 2009 1:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2004
solothis was one of my first climbs when i was inexperienced but adventurous, did the south sister the day before
sassyplatt - Oct 3, 2009 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 1989
One of my first big mountainsYoung, full of energy, and in love. Amazed by snow fields in the middle of summer. The start of my quest for new mountains.
rmick25 - Sep 4, 2009 3:28 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2008
Sweet soloClimbed South snow route from Camp Lake. I love Camp Lake! Not a soul in sight on the mountain. Jon and Whitney congrats on the baby.
slnasson - Aug 7, 2009 12:53 am
Re: North AND South RidgeClimbing partner and I planning Middle Sister climb on weekend of Aug 15th... previous postings suggest that crampons a good even in mid-summer - would you agree? My review of maps does not make clear quickest road access and trail to ascend - any suggestions? much appreciated.
Noah (Oregon) - Aug 5, 2009 8:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2009
North AND South RidgeWe climbed the north ridge from the Hayden Glacier, got hit by a thunderstorm and descended to the PCT on the (west) Obsidian side. The next morning we hiked south and reclimbed the mountain from the PCT via Chambers Lakes and up the south ridge. We redescended the north ridge and Hayden Glacier before hiking out to Pole Creek Trailhead. Amazing weekend!
dirth - May 25, 2009 12:57 am Date Climbed: May 22, 2009
Fun Tune UpMade a nice 2 day trip up Middle Sister to test out a bunch of gear and better coordinate packing for a 3 month trip we're planning this summer. Turns out the gear wasn't the issue, we are both just horribly out of shape. Fun snow climb up the North Ridge and great weather, just beat the Memorial Day Crowd.
justing - Feb 17, 2009 5:06 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2004
Bluebird dayShe's the shortest but don't tell her that.
cascadetraveler - Dec 28, 2008 2:12 pm
Re: North Ridge via Renfrew Date climbed: August 1987I was summitpost surfing and came across your summit log. It is so true the walk out on the Obsidian trail is long. It's the last miles of featureless forest after lava flow that lulls one into hullucination. I reminised and had to laugh,
Larry.
Pallando - Sep 18, 2008 1:49 am Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2008
Who cares about mosquitoes?My roommate and his brother visited from out of state and I told them I'd take them up a mountain. Middle was my first mountain, it's got some basic glacier travel and it's over 10,000 ft, so I got Friday through Monday off of work and we got packed.
Hiked in late Friday morning (9:00) and camped at Demaris. Set up camp, took quick swims, and got water at my favorite spring. My friends hated mosquitoes. I might be the only one in the world, but I'm okay with them. There were a lot, though. Slept outside, but when it started to rain, we managed three people in my solo tent until we got up to make breakfast.
Packed one gear bag and small daypacks and headed out. I took the gearbag, which was heavy, but my friends had never been this high before. We kept about the same pace most of the way up.
Roped up for Hayden Glacier. Had axes, but no crampons. This late in the summer and this late in the day, we managed fine following another group's tracks up the ridge of Hayden.
Left the gearbag in a bivi near Prouty and summited. Snow on the top in August! It was a cold year. Friends were gasping for air at the summit. Didn't spend much time before I took them back down. Crossed on the West side of Prouty and glissaded down Collier. Made it to camp. Friends decided mosquitoes were too much, so we came down two days early. Went to work on my day off, but content.
oregonrpa - Sep 9, 2008 2:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2008
Middle Sister (3 sisters marathon)Perfect day on Middle Sister as summit #2 of three sisters marathon. Ascended north ridge route after coming down the south ridge of North Sister. On summit of North at 1040, and summit of Middle at 1340.
Climbing partner lost his digital camera (Canon ultracompact in a blue case) somewhere along the route between the south ridge of North and the summit of Middle...otherwise a perfect day doing the Three Sister's marathon!
physics - Aug 20, 2008 11:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2008
Route Climbed: N. Ridge via Renfrew Glacier Date Climbed: August 19, 2008Climbed it solo 4 hrs up from Linton meadows during a backpacking trip with my family and cousins. Made it back to camp by 10AM. Easy walk up but was happy I brought crampons (needed them).