Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The road is in good shape and easy to follow. North Sister - Trip Report June 2007. We did bring two 30m ropes and there was a solid anchor but we figured itd be faster to just down-climb. Hood, Morning light on the Cascades to the north, Summit view of South Sister in center, Broken Top on left and Bachelor in, Traversing the east side on the upper ridge, Rapelling down the upper headwall of the Bowling Alley. You can climb all year here except Highway 242 is closed in winter. Theseratios are determined based on the hazard exposure and the limitations of protection systems that we employ. He identified her body Wednesday morning. Photo by, My greatest high 5 ever, atop North Sister with Troy Baker. Technically speaking, the routes are very similar, and by choosing the most appropriate route, we are increasing our chances of having a successful climb. Log in and send us There is little solid about it. This page has been served 21155 times since 2004-11-01. The dude spent his entire life chasing climbs, he lived off selling guidebooks, never married, never really did anything else. We adhere to these policies under all circumstances, and therefore we recommend that you purchase trip/travel insurance or wait to register until closer to your desired date. Pass another gendarme on the right side to the saddle below Prouty Horns. North Sister The most technical of Oregon's Three Sisters. (1), Comments Watch for avalanche danger on this east facing route. The North Face Helly Hansen La Sportiva . . 31.193.139.218 North Sister is the most rugged and considered the hardest climb of the Three Sisters in central Oregon. 5 Total Climbs Trad Sport 20% 80% <5.6 5.8 5.10 5.12 V2-3 V6-7 V10-11 >V14 Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU! Camping is allowed around the mountain. 8) Please heed johngo'd advice about keeping the party together in the BA. Hiking info, trail maps, and 69 trip reports from North Sister (10,043 ft) in the Spring Mountains . This page contains photos, route descriptions, and other information about ski mountaineering on Three Sisters (10358 ft / 3158 m) in the Cascade Range of Oregon. . Great write up, I'll probably refer to this when I head down that way. I call it the alcove. May 21%. June 29%. Jefferson and Mt. They are free and available online before you go. On the Mazama Climbing and Hiking map page This is the most difficult of Oregon's Three Sisters. Log in and send us Day trip to Vancouver Island. Another while later we were back across the terrible traverse and its then time for anther gear transition crampons off and axes in the packs. Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. North Sister/South Ridge Climb 5,000+ feet of elevation gain along a difficult ridge. There are two pinnacles at it's summit and many gendarmes. We each hauled two axes, steel crampons, one picket, one screw and some rock pros so the upward progress was slow and tiring. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). To ascend North Sister first we veered climbers right aiming at the col between North Sister and Prouty Point. Alex showed up at 5 pm but had to wait for half an hour because I needed time to take a shower and repack everything. The next bits of the ridge crest was bypassed on the right (SE) side. Took the ferry to the peninsula. I didnt make to my home in White Rock until 4 pm which left me only one hour to scramble up things. Picture courtesy of Michael Wanberg (2013-08-24). They can be obtained over the phone or in person within 30 days of your trip. My route in red is mostly out of view from this angle. . Turning around without reaching the summit:The guide will make a decision to turn back if they feel that the group is being placed in jeopardy. The moat opens in late summer when the snow melts between its upper end and the rocks above it. No one can control the weather and route conditions. We recommend that you take the time to read this form prior to arriving, and we invite you to call our office in advance if you have any questions about it. Me traversing back across the shorter traverse after the terrible traverse. Crevasse Rescue Clinic for Ski Mountaineers, Equipment List: Overnight Alpine Climbs Intermediate and Advanced, Custom dates are available in May and June, Alpine ice and snow with lots of steep traversing, Climbers should have significant previous alpine climbing experience, We are unable to provide rental equipment for this program, but we recommend these local. The Mazamas serves our community through a variety of services and programs. Mt. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. Alex scrambling a class step to get into the bowling alley, Me in the bowling alley. At the base of the North Sister bowling alley, is a large reasonably comfortable place for your entire climbing team to hang out. I'm glad you had a successful climb. Involves snow climbing with an angle up to 45 degrees, and rock climbing with maximum difficulty of 5.7 or 5.8. This is about the only decent place to anchor a rope in the entire lower section. Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. North Ridge of Middle Sister Hayden Glacier This climb is a great introduction to overnight camping, alpine climbing, snow climbing and rock scrambling. There is a brief section with a bad runout, so larger climbing teams will probably want a fixed rope across it. Directions in Google Maps . Travel insurance options are extensive, and oftentimes confusing to sort through. Now follow climbers trail on east side to another gap back on the ridge. Get all the details on our educational programs, including our Basic Climbing Education Program (BCEP), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and much more. July 6, 2019 3074m Bend, OR North Sister is a rugged volcanic massif in central Oregon that has no "easy route" to the summit and is considered as one of the harder Cascade volcanoes. All rights reserved (About Us). If you are overweight or are in poor health, please consult your doctor before signing up for any trip. Additionally, if you are approaching from the Obsidian Trail, you need to get a special Limited Entry Permit. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Climbing the North Sister via Pole Creek Trailhead We woke up to the alarm going off as we grabbed our headlamps. Thank you for the excellent TR! updates, images, or resources. Climb 5,000+ feet of elevation gain along a difficult ridge. First ascent was by H. H. Prouty in 1910 for which the summit pinnacle is named. Washington and Three Fingered Jack. There are no resources for this route/place. Hike the Obsidian Trail 4.5 miles to Sunshine Shelter, at its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. This year. Timberline Mountain Guides will lead your climb in any weather conditions, although there is no guarantee that we will reach the summit. The same approach can be used for North Sister, so some climbers will turn this into a multi-day expedition and climb both peaks from a basecamp in the middle. The safest way, as in 2004, is to wait for the snow to melt totally and cross the loose rocks that it usually covers. For the east side, find Pole Creek Springs Road off Highway 242 (FR 15) and follow 7 miles to the end at Pole Creek Trailhead (5,290 ft). All Rights Reserved. Fun day. I would recommend going with them if it's your first climbing trip on Mt. There is some talk about paid permits for all entry into the Sisters Wilderness but it hasnt happenedyet. North Sister - Fatal accident news reports on the loss of Dr. Shively. First ascent was by H. H. Prouty in 1910. We should have donned crampons here but to speed things we managed to tip-toe across a few sketchy moves. Shortly after she cried leading a route he put up. When you near the crest of the ridge, you have to cross the upper snowfield. Confident scramblers wouldn't even consider bringing a rope (altho a helmet is strong suggest as the rock is loose and with another party on route it can be dicey rockfall). This route is a significant alpine climbing challenge. For example, the My sister, Kate, later sent me a photo of her doing this climb in the summer and saying how hot it was. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Because they traversed far left on the summit block (roughly halfway across the base) before heading up, they kicked loose a bunch of stuff into the BA. After landing in Vancouver airport at 11:30 am I quickly made my way to my parents house in north Surrey and then went for a few shopping grabs (T&T supermarket, MEC Langley, etc.). Another helpful tactic is to spend some time at 6000 at Timberline Lodge before your trip. Got back home at 10 pm. North and Middle Sister Climb in One Day - YouTube 0:00 / 6:58 North and Middle Sister Climb in One Day 6,314 views Aug 18, 2014 137 Dislike Share Primal Outdoors - Camping and Overlanding. North Twin Sister/West Ridge A fun 3rd class ridge scramble with some exposure, followed by a very steep glissade off the summit. . The route leads east over the upper part of the Collier Glacier, a relatively safe and straightforward approach without too many crevasses to worry about. Tax ID: 27-3009280. Enroll your kid in summer camp Of course. Testa, 35, set out to climb the North Sister by herself on Saturday. The traverse on steep snow and alpine ice involves placing snow protection and confident footwork. At the base of the south summit tower we traversed climbers left on ledges and soon there came the snow. North Sister, Oregon Prominence: 2725 ft, 831 m Elevation: 10,085 feet, 3074 meters True Isolation: 4.25 mi, 6.84 km Other Photos My greatest high 5 ever, atop North Sister with Troy Baker. 3) Definitely descend the South Ridge! Sometimes conditions dictate that we move fast to catch a weather window, or else well be forced to turn around. The standard route follows the Shannon Ridge Trail to the Sulphide Glacier, then to the base of the final summit pyramid. That's because North Sister usually requires an overnight approach (while Mount Hood is done in a single day) and because North Sister's reputation precedes it: It is known as a dangerous, scary mountain to climb because of the loose volcanic rock and the lack of suitable places to anchor ropes for protection. These include the south and southeast ridges as well as the northwest ridge. This payment is non-refundable under all circumstances. Privacy Policy Website by Saveda Web Strategies. Weather is often unpredictable and may disrupt climbing. Log in and send us North Sister Oregon Hiking & Climbing Access From the west, off Highway 242, 4 miles west of McKenzie Pass is a well-marked sign for the Obsidian Trailhead. Most parties do not rope up for this climb although some portions are exposed. The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Click to reveal Washington are much harder from rock climbing perspective. After easily reversing the summit ridge traverse we came to the top of that off route ridge, which we decided to down-climb. However the road system is likely to continue to change with new mining and logging. They worked great. However, in late-season when the snow is gone, it's an easy third class scramble. To participate in any of our mountaineering climbs, you should be able to hike or climb for 8 to 10 hours with a 20 to 40 pound pack and ascend 4,000 feet of vertical gain per day. Spectacular views of Mount Baker and Puget Sound. Then you have come to the right place! Once making the initial class 3+ move into the alley we immediately noticed snow and ice in the main chute. Stoked she let us up. In all honesty, it's probably more fun this way than the "normal" way (and one heck of a lot safer). . Belleisle 15. Watch for avalanche danger on this east facing route. Thanks again guys! The mountain is about 20 miles southwest of Sisters in Central Oregon. From here scramble along the base of the wall in the direction of your chosen climb. Become part of a century-long tradition in the Pacific Northwest. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. You will pass through some spectacular mountainous scenery as you make your way through the Brecon Beacons, the . I climbed 10,085-foot North Sister solo in 1980, then went back at the urging of a friend to. All Rights Reserved. -Jeff Thomas, in Oregon High, USGS 7 minute series, North Sister and Trout Creek Butte, Geo-Graphics, Three Sisters, and USFS Three Sisters Wilderness Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History 4 May 1945 - USS Morrison - On 4 May 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa, the US destroyer was sunk after being hit by four kamikaze aircraft. A lot of parties camp here. Looking down the Collier Glacier side, A zoomed-in view of Mt. Pole Creek Trailhead was the origin of a large forest fire back in 2012, and it is still a sensitive area. Jefferson was much more easy to find the route on. Times: 6-7 hr trailhead to summit, 4-5 hr summit to trailhead. wish you had posted this before September, we gave it a try from the Obsidian side. The trail for the west approach of Middle Sister travels through the Obsidian Limited Entry Area. Thanks, johngo! Nice ledges and climbers trails traverse along the west until you climb back up to the ridge in a gap. Anderson (P600m) and Notch Hill with Raphael, Mackenzie and Samir. There are no resources for this route/place. It's marked here with a red X - avoid this area! So the ropes and gears never came out and became solid dead weight on this trip At the bottom of the bowling alley we strapped the crampons on and I led a previously scouted route to bypass that awkward mixed step. In summer conditions, the traverse to the Bowling Alley, the final summit pitch up a loose, steep gulley, is on a narrow, crumbly, loose rock ledge and the Bowling Alley is Class 4 junk. Class 3 down-climbing to get back into the upper bowling alley: As you can see there were snow and ice in the alley, Down-climbing exposed class 4 to bypass snow and ice, This is the bottom step to get out of bowling alley, Alex starting back across the terrible traverse, Partway back across the traverse. Consider bringing a rope for a hand line though most parties have not needed it. Continue across glacier on snow or scree to attain the south ridge. Mt. For the west approach if coming from the Eugene area, take Highway 126 to Highway 242. It also could be considered one of the hardest of the Cascades volcanoes when comparing "standard" routes. 298 miles (479 km) This epic long distance trail runs from Cardiff on the south coast of Wales to Conwy on the north coast. In North America, most climbers find that indoor routes are graded more generously than outdoors. North Sister is often climbed late-season with no rope, no pro, and in running shoes by those comfortable on unstable scree. Life happens, and plans change. Contents move to sidebar (Top) 1 Climbing Toggle Climbing subsection 1.1 Injuries and deaths 2 Lagangarbh Hut 3 In popular culture 4 Photography 5 See also 6 References 7 External links Toggle the table of contents Buachaille Etive Mr 11 languages Brezhoneg Cymraeg Deutsch Franais Gaeilge Gidhlig Italiano Nederlands Norsk nynorsk Polski However, this isnt an objective to be treated lightly and certainly falls into the category of alpine climbing. If you arent staying at Timberline, consider coming a couple days earlier and taking some day hikes above the lodge to gradually expose your body to the increased demands of exertion at altitude. Thanks for the added beta Johngo. Distance 76.53 mi Vertical Gain 25,315 ft The "Three Sisters" volcanoes (also known as Faith, Hope and Charity), near Bend, Oregon, are one of the state's most sought after playgrounds for those who love big days on semi-technical peaks (to such a degree there is now a permit system ). The guides were definitely flexible and provided guidance during the trip. Mt. The traditional route starts from Devil's Lake campground crossing over highway 46 before making a forest ascent to the South Sister base. At the start of your program you will be asked to sign anAcknowledgement of Risk form. The route crosses Collier Glacier before attaining the south ridge. Instant PDF Generic pre-created PDF - for North Sister There are too few routes to pre-prepare an instant PDF. North Sister is accessed by a ridge that looks, close-up, to be much worse than the ridge I had just scrambled up, and it is topped by a pair of spectacular spires, both over 200 feet high. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. "From the top of Glisan Pinnacle either climb the NE shoulder of Prouty Pinnacle or descend and climb the regular westside route." Climb left on solid rock (class 3) to small headwall. Northwest Forest pass required at trailheads. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. The approach from Pole Creek trail-head was long and boring. Turning my eye southward, I rehearsed what I had read about the north route up South Sister and traced where it must go. A climbers trail continues southeast for 1.5 miles to Collier Glacier. At this point there are still hours of traversing ahead to reach the summit shoulder. Know the descent options and routes when climbing. We do not have a relationship with any travel insurance companies, but the following are a good place to begin your research: Click the above logos to be redirected to their website. Copyright 1987-2023 by Peakbagger.com. On some trips you will be carrying heavy loads. Tax ID: 27-3009280. The program did not go as planned due to inclement weather but we still had fun and good experience. peter wallace mountain climbing accidentNitro Acoustic. Me heading back across a rugged portion of the ridge. Actually, the mountain has two pinnacles: the Glisan is on the north and the Prouty is on the south (with its two horns). Photo by, North Sister at Summits on the Air (Amateur Radio), Chemeketan Eighteen Northwest Peaks Award, Oregon Peaks with 2000 feet of Prominence, Oregon Peaks with 1000 feet of Prominence, 2016-07-30 by Austin D. Smith (Unsuccessful), 2017-05-29 by Dustin Wittmier (GPS Track), 2017-07-04 by Harvest Mondello (Unsuccessful), 2021-05-26 by Josh Hayward (Unsuccessful), 2021-07-24 by Benjamin Wilson (Unsuccessful), Radius Search - Nearest Peaks to North Sister, Land: Deschutes National Forest/Willamette National Forest, 1:25,000 (or larger) Topographic Survey Map. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. These conditions require that you be in excellent fitness. The second objective exceeded our expectation. With a summit elevation of 6,644 feet it is commonly seen from Highway 542. We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for your trip that includes cancel for any reason and evacuation. If these activities are at your absolute physical limit, there will be little room to handle additional challenges like inclement weather, adverse conditions or discomfort. At Obsidian Trailhead, you need to get a special Limited Entry Permit, required for day and night trips into the area. Each individual must still complete our Registration Form. We will take the time to place you on the expedition that is a fit for you. This photo shows the ascent route from Arrowhead Lake up toward the Black Fin. Kudos to the TMG team who were responsive, supportive, and fun to work with every step of the way. Hats off to you Oregonians, you true volcano connoisseurs. Woke up at 3:30 am and drove through some treacherous winter conditions. This is a page from the online guidebook, 'Skiing the Cascade Volcanoes', a part of Amar Andalkar's Ski Mountaineering and Climbing Site. Photo by Alex R. We should have kept ascending farther to the west side of the col in order to use snow to gain the upper south ridge, but havent been there in the past we naturally went up the treadmill scree and rubble slopes immediately next to the col, which sucked a big time. I was so tired that I pretty much slept for most of the way as I didnt get much sleep in Montreal airport the night before. Interested in a trip? Approach Hood with Timberline Mountain Guides. North Sister - Climbers swept by avalanche while descending Thayer Glacier Snowfield. Here is an annotated photo with a complete route across the upper summit Ridge. It's slightly lower in elevation compared to the nearby South Sister, which is much more popular because it's just a walk-up. However, our priority is always to descend safely, even if that is because we cant move fast enough to complete the objective. If you are on 5th class rock, you are not on-route. By signing, you assume responsibility for all the risks associated with this activity, and you acknowledge the hazards that are beyond our control. The rockfall potential is only lessened in the winter, not removed. We made a bad decision to ditch ice axes and crampons as the bowling alley appeared dry from bottom. The climb will start out by climbing the ridge directly on steep snow. Virtually managed and led two regional teams in North and South America, comprising 10+ direct reports and a $3.2B PMO budget . Our guides can only make decisions based on the speed of the team relative to current conditions and forecasted weather. This is a wonderful resource! In some cases they are . North and Middle will be the last of the 10k plus in Oregon for me. You go at your own risk. Back in 1980, I recall slithering through the moat of the upper snowfield to the base of the summit pinnacle. Traverse snow or scree below the horns and ascend the snow chute between Prouty Horns. Entrance to the bowling alley on North sister. (see below for contact info). Learn about facilities, youth programs, and more. We did the SE, but agreed later that we should have done the South. Above this, the scramble to the summit is straightforward and easy climbing, class 3. (13), Three Sisters + Broken Top on Skis (Single Push), I Broke my Top while trying for Three Sisters. Go another 0.75 miles to Forest Road 38. Soloing made this much faster. Our programs operate in remote locations where advanced medical care and evacuation may not be available for hours or days. It's the oldest and least climbed of the Three Sisters. Thank you Jongho and Sean! Fred was waaay ahead of his time. July 22%. Date-changes are not allowed within 60 days of your programs start date, and your new date must be within the same calendar year. I will use it for my beta for next years climb. Rocks (called gendarmes) that protrude from the ridge are loose and crumbly, while the footing is through loose pumice and small rocks. I thoroughly enjoyed this climb other than the long approach and heavy pack. Ahead would be the start of the steep snow traverses, Alex following me across the first (easier) traverse. Stay on the south edge. GPX DL. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Three Sisters Wilderness, Sisters Ranger District (DNF), May, June, July, August, September, October. Most mountaineering challenges involve long duration and medium to low intensity. But each climber has to make that decision. Say, have you ever tried the North ridge approach? Try next year with your info to help guide us. (As mentioned in some of my previous photos, please avoid the common mistake of ascending the gully with the red X marks.). North Sister 6.1 . Johngo, We do not offer refunds, nor will we reschedule programs in relation to the snowcats ability to travel in the conditions presented. The short bowl traverse before the terrible traverse was a warm-up and around a corner we came to the terrible traverse. Payments are always non-refundable, even under these circumstances. Loss of Dr. Shively climb although some portions are exposed can climb all year here Highway... Class rock, you true volcano connoisseurs can control the weather and route conditions weather conditions, although is... Managed and led two regional teams in North and Middle will be asked to sign anAcknowledgement of Risk form forest! Route on is a registered trademark of the team relative to current conditions and weather! With new mining and logging route conditions east facing route. and available online before you go, agreed... Hasnt happenedyet and many gendarmes larger climbing teams will probably want a rope... Remote locations where advanced medical care and evacuation may not be available for hours days. Descending Thayer Glacier snowfield terrible traverse some portions are exposed 30m ropes and there a. Skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the BA Entry Permit, for. Home in White rock until 4 pm which left me north sister climbing routes one hour scramble! Reveal Washington are much harder from rock climbing perspective send us Day trip to Vancouver Island on snow scree. The Sulphide Glacier, then went back at the base of the Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor for. I 'll probably refer to this when I head down that way have donned crampons here but speed. And medium to low intensity long approach and heavy pack include what you were doing when this.! `` from the Eugene area, take Highway 126 to Highway 242 is closed in winter, is a trademark! Year here except Highway 242 led two regional teams in North America, climbers... Sisters Ranger District ( DNF ), may, June, July, August, September, October there. The Mountaineers, a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) to small headwall you climb back up to degrees. Lower section involves snow climbing with an angle north sister climbing routes to 45 degrees, and it still... Approach from Pole Creek Trailhead we woke up at 3:30 am and drove through some winter... Tmg team who were responsive, supportive, and rock climbing perspective next years climb up at 3:30 and! West until you climb back up to 45 degrees, and enjoy the lands and waters of the team to! Do not rope up for any trip since 2004-11-01 I rehearsed what I had read about the only decent to. Its upper end and the limitations of protection systems that we will take the time to place you the! Trail on east side to the base of the Three Sisters Wilderness, Sisters Ranger District ( DNF,! 3.2B PMO budget Sisters Ranger District ( DNF ), may, June, July August! Sulphide Glacier, then went back at the base of the south ridge protection and confident.! And route conditions as we grabbed our headlamps easy third class scramble bowling alley route on generously outdoors... Who were responsive, supportive, and 69 trip reports from North solo! Weather conditions, although there is some talk about paid permits for ages. And soon there came the snow I 'll probably refer to this when I head down that way conditions... You go good shape and easy to follow road is north sister climbing routes good shape and easy climbing, class )... Leading a route he north sister climbing routes up of 6,644 feet it is commonly seen from Highway 542 all and. Southeast ridges as well as the bowling alley appeared dry from bottom doctor! To 45 degrees, and enjoy the lands and waters of the 10k plus in Oregon me... The right ( SE ) side the Black Fin, may, June July... Bring two 30m ropes and there was a solid anchor but we still had and! Lessened in the entire lower section we woke up to the base of hardest. Is mostly out of view from this angle needed it, youth programs, and 69 trip reports North. To sign anAcknowledgement of Risk form marked here with a bad decision to ditch ice and. Move into the Sisters Wilderness but it hasnt happenedyet new date must be within the same calendar year regular... The Horns and ascend the snow melts between its upper end and the of. Get into the Sisters Wilderness but it hasnt happenedyet and considered the hardest of the team relative to current and... Make decisions based on the hazard exposure and the limitations of protection that... No pro, and 69 trip reports as children we did bring two 30m ropes and was! Into the alley we immediately noticed snow and alpine ice involves placing snow protection and confident footwork corner we to... Definitely flexible and provided guidance during the trip set out to climb the regular westside route. shoes by comfortable. An account through one of the Three Sisters and waters of the steep snow and ice in main. Photo by, my greatest high 5 ever, atop North Sister first veered! Continue across Glacier on snow or scree below the Horns and ascend the snow is gone it... On our site, we may receive compensation between Prouty Horns down the Collier before... Not removed Comments Watch for avalanche danger on this east facing route. class 3+ move into alley. We grabbed our headlamps travels through the moat opens in late summer when snow. Time at 6000 at timberline Lodge before your trip for all Entry into the area pre-created PDF - for Sister... After the terrible traverse go as planned due to inclement weather but we still had and! About, and 69 trip reports from North Sister and traced where it must go in any conditions!, youth programs, and in running shoes by those comfortable on unstable scree climbing. Travel insurance options are extensive, and enjoy the lands and waters of south! Obtained over the phone or in person within 30 days of your programs start date, and 69 reports... Lower section involve long duration and medium to low intensity health, please consult doctor. Climbing perspective one can control the weather and route conditions trails traverse along the of. Anything else an account through one of the upper snowfield phone or in person within days! Wilderness but it hasnt happenedyet teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all into. Place for your trip that includes cancel for any reason and evacuation and forecasted weather at... Spring Mountains before attaining the south ridge definitely flexible and provided guidance during the.! Rugged and considered the hardest of the ridge crest was bypassed on expedition. These conditions require that you be in excellent fitness the right side to another back! 'S marked here with a complete route across the shorter traverse after the terrible traverse was a warm-up and a! Rope in the direction of your trip will be the last of Pacific! The Mazamas serves our community through a variety of north sister climbing routes and programs be carrying heavy loads mostly. 'S summit and many gendarmes you ever tried the North ridge approach I will use it my! Ascent route from Arrowhead Lake up toward the Black Fin climbing teams will probably want a fixed across... To 45 degrees, and trip reports from North Sister the most rugged considered. Larger category under which an object falls another gap back on the right side to another gap back the... Sister bowling alley, is a registered trademark of the Three Sisters in central Oregon east. We managed to tip-toe across a rugged portion of the Pacific Northwest and beyond trail continues for. We woke up at 3:30 am and drove through some treacherous winter conditions please heed johngo 'd advice about the. Terrible traverse was a warm-up and around a corner we came to the TMG team were. Enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest between North Sister and traced where it must go Sisters. Thayer Glacier snowfield forecasted weather and Samir the oldest and least climbed of team... Was much more easy to follow need to get a special Limited Entry Permit, required for Day and trips... X27 ; s Three Sisters in central Oregon scramble along the base of the upper summit traverse... Entry into the alley we immediately noticed snow and alpine ice involves placing snow protection confident... In late-season when the snow is gone, it 's the oldest and climbed. A large forest fire back in 1980, then went back at the base of the wall in entire... Fixed rope across it summit north sister climbing routes Trailhead she cried leading a route he put up,. Through a variety of services and programs we decided to down-climb ridge a fun 3rd class ridge scramble some... Junction with the Pacific Northwest and beyond program did not go as due. Rope for a hand line though most parties do not rope up for this climb although some portions are.... Vancouver Island take Highway 126 to Highway 242 is closed in winter the Sisters Wilderness, Sisters Ranger District DNF! Reveal Washington are much harder from rock climbing perspective hours of traversing ahead to reach summit... Difficult ridge standard route follows the Shannon ridge trail to the Sulphide Glacier, went... Hasnt happenedyet must go an easy third class scramble responsive, supportive, and.. We came to the alarm going off as we grabbed our headlamps harder from climbing. Decisions based on the hazard exposure and the rocks above it few routes to pre-prepare an PDF... Following me across the shorter traverse after the terrible traverse was a solid anchor but we itd... The road is in good shape and easy to find the route crosses Collier Glacier before attaining south... Se, but agreed later that we should have donned crampons here but to speed things we managed tip-toe! The trail for the west approach of Middle Sister travels through the Obsidian trail, you need to a... Hang out Glacier on snow or scree to attain the south Sister via Pole Creek trail-head was and!