greglief - Sep 13, 2008 11:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2008
South Sister Summit
Gorgeous day. Superb views all the way north to Mount Hood, south to Diamond Peak and Mount Thielsen, west to Mary's Peak, and of course spectacular vantages of Middle and North Sister, Broken Top, Tam McArthur Rim, and Mount Bachelor.
Third and final peak as part of 3 sisters marathon, having started at Pole Cr. trailhead early in the morning and traversing North and Middle Sisters.
Beautiful day to climb! Wished we would've taken the North route of South Sister instead of the NW ridge, but we were unsure of the crux near the top looking at the North route from afar. Should've read more on summitpost! Gaining the less technical NW ridge route from the saddle between Middle and South took valuable time and effort, thus putting us at the summit of South at sunset. Nonetheless, it was a great trek up the relatively moderate grade of the NW ridge, with the steepest portion being the very top before cresting the summit crater rocks. Loose rock, both scree and larger boulders, almost the entire ridge to the top.
Want to go back and do the 3 sisters marathon now that we have a better understanding of the routes for a more efficient climbs. Refilled water supply with glacial runoff between Middle and South.
Encountered only 8 other climbers while traversing North and Middle. No doubt South was crawling with climbers throughout the day, but only saw a few during the descent in darkness.
lalpinist - Sep 2, 2008 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2008
doggie paws
Afternoon departure got us to the summit around 7PM. The mountain was holding back clouds and wind. The plateau was plagued by a cold wind, but we were sheltered on the higher portions. We took the dog because of the dog-friendly description, but carried her for a portion near the top because the small grains of pumice are very rough on the little doggie paws.
jnaleway - Sep 1, 2008 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2008
Windy Sister
Although I had climbed South Sister several times before, this was the first ascent for my wife, Alisa. She had wanted to climb after hearing our stories about previous escapades and seeing the pictures of other friends on top of the mountain.
So after work on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend, we packed up, left the (grown) kids to fend for themselves and headed for Devil's Lake Campground at about 6PM from Eugene. We stopped at the quaint Cultus Lake Resort to buy our NW Forest Pass, and found the Devil's Lake parking lot next to the South Sister Climbing trail sign just before dark. The last rays of light lit the summit as it loomed in a crack between the hills while we had a quick dinner by the campstove before bed.
Leaving at about 7AM amidst a number of laughing and joking groups heading up, we made the plateau by 8:30 AM, and found the mountain draped in a curtain of fast moving clouds. But from time to time, the summit appeared ahead of us, which gave us hope for a clear summit attempt. Unusually cold (40's) and very windy weather for August, made us glad we had packed parkas in our day packs. By the time we reached the cinder cone on the mountain side, the wind had died down, and the sun greeted us although below the valleys were draped in a blanket of white. Slogging up the skree, we made the summit rim by 12:30 and the summit by about 1PM. Luckily, the clouds had thinned and we found a wonderful view of the Middle and North Sisters on the summit as well as clear views of Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson and even Mt. St. Helen's (?) in the distance to the north.
Although the skree sliding down was long and dusty, all and all it was a very fun day up on the mountain and a great first ascent for Alisa. By the time we made it back to the plateau, the mountain had cleared and was in beautiful sunshine, showing off it's red and green lava sections. Some Advil and time will hopefully help Alisa to forget the long trudge back to the car, and I can convince her to join me again for another climbing adventure this Fall.
pdeangeli - Aug 26, 2008 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2008
South Route
Nice day. Up from Devil's down Green Lake. Boot skied the glacier from the cirque lake down.
Karl Helser - Aug 18, 2008 9:15 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2008
Butterflies
Swarms of butterflies beginning from about 9000' and above. Another good day hike from Devil's Lake to the summit.
seabre23 - Jul 29, 2008 2:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2007
South Sis
South Sister is relatively easy, if you are up for a 12 mile hike. Nothing technical. Views range from Mt Adams all the way to Mt McLoughlin. Pretty much the whole of Oregon. In 2001, summited in three hours. The rest of the party was ready to go down, but I stayed to admire the very clear view that day. Running late, I descended in an hour and ten minutes. By far a PR. With heavier snows this year, maybe the only Sister climbable? Always a winner, especially for out of towners.
desmo13 - Jul 9, 2008 12:38 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2008
got to 8500'
Took my dad and nephew. All snow from the road. My dad had enough by noon at 8500' :)
Karl Helser - Jun 25, 2008 8:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
South Side
Rained Saturday night at camp (7000'), hiked to the summit under clear blue skys the next morning.
If you call the Forest Service they'll tell you there is no parking along the road at Devils Lake. Don't believe them...there's lots of parking. They've even plowed out parking at devils lake campground.
dannotti - Jun 16, 2008 12:22 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Great hike to the top
Great hike to the top, but no views. Could see 30' from the summit, and very cold.
Dan Winter - May 1, 2008 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2005
South Ridge
Hiked this solo on a fine day.
cdog - Apr 15, 2008 11:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2003
wrapping up
climbed the nw ridge via North & Middle sis traverse. Met my girlfriend at the top, who had dropped me off at Pole Ck early in the day. Good climb, LOTS of solitude on this route. Not technical, just a long slog, but a safe (and circuitous) alternate to the north ridge.
DigityDan - Feb 26, 2008 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
4 times
I have done this route four times now and camped on top twice, and this is always one of the best trips of year.
If you go in late spring you can slide down on the snowpack for your return, and it's actually in my opinion easier to climb the top sections with the snow rather than the loose scree.
2 day climb, camped ~7000ft, grabbed the peak the next morning. Beautiful clear day.
johnny72k - Sep 10, 2007 12:52 am Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2007
finally!
finally got up this one. I'm embarrassed it took me this long to get at it, but I did and got up there with a million other people. nice and cool out. totally clear all day. tons of scree to go with the tons of people.
hiway99w - Aug 23, 2007 1:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2007
South Sister
The Willamette Valley was socked in with clouds and there were intermittent thunderstorms to the east but the Cascade Range was clear up to about Mt. Jefferson. As we rested for lunch at the lake at the base of Lewis Glacier, clouds were billowing up toward the summit. There ended up being no reason for concern as the day stayed clear, temperature was moderate, and wind at the summit was light enough that I didn't even need a windbreaker. The view, especially of Middle and North Sister, was spectacular. The exposure on the east side of the summit came as a bit of a shock realizing that 30 years earlier I had climbed on that pinnacle in near white-out conditions completely unaware of the drop on that side.
YEM - Aug 20, 2007 5:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2006
South Route: Summit Bivy
Easy route without any people! I lucked out to arrive before dusk and not see anyone until 10 the next morning. A summit bivy is highly recommended.
greglief - Sep 13, 2008 11:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2008
South Sister SummitGorgeous day. Superb views all the way north to Mount Hood, south to Diamond Peak and Mount Thielsen, west to Mary's Peak, and of course spectacular vantages of Middle and North Sister, Broken Top, Tam McArthur Rim, and Mount Bachelor.
oregonrpa - Sep 9, 2008 2:35 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2008
NW ridge (as part of 3 sisters marathon)Third and final peak as part of 3 sisters marathon, having started at Pole Cr. trailhead early in the morning and traversing North and Middle Sisters.
Beautiful day to climb! Wished we would've taken the North route of South Sister instead of the NW ridge, but we were unsure of the crux near the top looking at the North route from afar. Should've read more on summitpost! Gaining the less technical NW ridge route from the saddle between Middle and South took valuable time and effort, thus putting us at the summit of South at sunset. Nonetheless, it was a great trek up the relatively moderate grade of the NW ridge, with the steepest portion being the very top before cresting the summit crater rocks. Loose rock, both scree and larger boulders, almost the entire ridge to the top.
Want to go back and do the 3 sisters marathon now that we have a better understanding of the routes for a more efficient climbs. Refilled water supply with glacial runoff between Middle and South.
Encountered only 8 other climbers while traversing North and Middle. No doubt South was crawling with climbers throughout the day, but only saw a few during the descent in darkness.
lalpinist - Sep 2, 2008 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2008
doggie pawsAfternoon departure got us to the summit around 7PM. The mountain was holding back clouds and wind. The plateau was plagued by a cold wind, but we were sheltered on the higher portions. We took the dog because of the dog-friendly description, but carried her for a portion near the top because the small grains of pumice are very rough on the little doggie paws.
jnaleway - Sep 1, 2008 12:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2008
Windy SisterAlthough I had climbed South Sister several times before, this was the first ascent for my wife, Alisa. She had wanted to climb after hearing our stories about previous escapades and seeing the pictures of other friends on top of the mountain.
So after work on the Friday of Labor Day Weekend, we packed up, left the (grown) kids to fend for themselves and headed for Devil's Lake Campground at about 6PM from Eugene. We stopped at the quaint Cultus Lake Resort to buy our NW Forest Pass, and found the Devil's Lake parking lot next to the South Sister Climbing trail sign just before dark. The last rays of light lit the summit as it loomed in a crack between the hills while we had a quick dinner by the campstove before bed.
Leaving at about 7AM amidst a number of laughing and joking groups heading up, we made the plateau by 8:30 AM, and found the mountain draped in a curtain of fast moving clouds. But from time to time, the summit appeared ahead of us, which gave us hope for a clear summit attempt. Unusually cold (40's) and very windy weather for August, made us glad we had packed parkas in our day packs. By the time we reached the cinder cone on the mountain side, the wind had died down, and the sun greeted us although below the valleys were draped in a blanket of white. Slogging up the skree, we made the summit rim by 12:30 and the summit by about 1PM. Luckily, the clouds had thinned and we found a wonderful view of the Middle and North Sisters on the summit as well as clear views of Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson and even Mt. St. Helen's (?) in the distance to the north.
Although the skree sliding down was long and dusty, all and all it was a very fun day up on the mountain and a great first ascent for Alisa. By the time we made it back to the plateau, the mountain had cleared and was in beautiful sunshine, showing off it's red and green lava sections. Some Advil and time will hopefully help Alisa to forget the long trudge back to the car, and I can convince her to join me again for another climbing adventure this Fall.
pdeangeli - Aug 26, 2008 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2008
South RouteNice day. Up from Devil's down Green Lake. Boot skied the glacier from the cirque lake down.
Karl Helser - Aug 18, 2008 9:15 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2008
ButterfliesSwarms of butterflies beginning from about 9000' and above. Another good day hike from Devil's Lake to the summit.
seabre23 - Jul 29, 2008 2:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2007
South SisSouth Sister is relatively easy, if you are up for a 12 mile hike. Nothing technical. Views range from Mt Adams all the way to Mt McLoughlin. Pretty much the whole of Oregon. In 2001, summited in three hours. The rest of the party was ready to go down, but I stayed to admire the very clear view that day. Running late, I descended in an hour and ten minutes. By far a PR. With heavier snows this year, maybe the only Sister climbable? Always a winner, especially for out of towners.
desmo13 - Jul 9, 2008 12:38 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2008
got to 8500'Took my dad and nephew. All snow from the road. My dad had enough by noon at 8500' :)
Karl Helser - Jun 25, 2008 8:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
South SideRained Saturday night at camp (7000'), hiked to the summit under clear blue skys the next morning.
If you call the Forest Service they'll tell you there is no parking along the road at Devils Lake. Don't believe them...there's lots of parking. They've even plowed out parking at devils lake campground.
dannotti - Jun 16, 2008 12:22 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
Great hike to the topGreat hike to the top, but no views. Could see 30' from the summit, and very cold.
Dan Winter - May 1, 2008 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2005
South RidgeHiked this solo on a fine day.
cdog - Apr 15, 2008 11:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2003
wrapping upclimbed the nw ridge via North & Middle sis traverse. Met my girlfriend at the top, who had dropped me off at Pole Ck early in the day. Good climb, LOTS of solitude on this route. Not technical, just a long slog, but a safe (and circuitous) alternate to the north ridge.
DigityDan - Feb 26, 2008 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2006
4 timesI have done this route four times now and camped on top twice, and this is always one of the best trips of year.
If you go in late spring you can slide down on the snowpack for your return, and it's actually in my opinion easier to climb the top sections with the snow rather than the loose scree.
KMM - Oct 7, 2007 1:34 am
first oregon cascadedid this back in the day. we carried way too much water like 4 quarts! gave some to a guy who didn't bring any water cause "he was a wrestler"
dresser - Sep 24, 2007 6:56 pm Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2007
First time over 10000 feetI need to get in shape!
mkpatrick - Sep 14, 2007 4:02 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2006
South Ridge2 day climb, camped ~7000ft, grabbed the peak the next morning. Beautiful clear day.
johnny72k - Sep 10, 2007 12:52 am Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2007
finally!finally got up this one. I'm embarrassed it took me this long to get at it, but I did and got up there with a million other people. nice and cool out. totally clear all day. tons of scree to go with the tons of people.
hiway99w - Aug 23, 2007 1:23 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2007
South SisterThe Willamette Valley was socked in with clouds and there were intermittent thunderstorms to the east but the Cascade Range was clear up to about Mt. Jefferson. As we rested for lunch at the lake at the base of Lewis Glacier, clouds were billowing up toward the summit. There ended up being no reason for concern as the day stayed clear, temperature was moderate, and wind at the summit was light enough that I didn't even need a windbreaker. The view, especially of Middle and North Sister, was spectacular. The exposure on the east side of the summit came as a bit of a shock realizing that 30 years earlier I had climbed on that pinnacle in near white-out conditions completely unaware of the drop on that side.
YEM - Aug 20, 2007 5:42 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2006
South Route: Summit BivyEasy route without any people! I lucked out to arrive before dusk and not see anyone until 10 the next morning. A summit bivy is highly recommended.
wrassleman07 - Aug 15, 2007 10:53 pm
south sistervery easy climb, biggest ive done to date, but did it in one day, no climbing gear, just a good pair of boots, and a lunch to eat at the top