Shortly after she cried leading a route he put up. Snowshoed straight up the forest ignoring most of the roads and cross country ski trails. The two south routes meet up and share the same final ridge. The approach from Pole Creek trail-head was long and boring. I think the text pretty much says it all. Pole Creek Trailhead was the origin of a large forest fire back in 2012, and it is still a sensitive area. Hood, Deschutes, Willamette and Mt Baker National Forests, USDA Forest Service. The climb will start out by climbing the ridge directly on steep snow. Our guides will often help make the final decision of route choice based on the conditions they are finding on the mountain. super friendly and reputable. This is the most difficult of Oregon's Three Sisters. This was a great report! The traverse on steep snow and alpine ice involves placing snow protection and confident footwork. Re-ascending a bit to where we took the crampons off. The turnoff will be on your right from this direction. Hood with Timberline Mountain Guides. At the base of the south summit tower we traversed climbers left on ledges and soon there came the snow. That is, a 5.10a sport climb in the gym feels easier to most people than most outdoor 5.10a routes. :) "From the top of Glisan Pinnacle either climb the NE shoulder of Prouty Pinnacle or descend and climb the regular westside route." However, this isnt an objective to be treated lightly and certainly falls into the category of alpine climbing. Older reports state that there are boulders in this road and that it narrows at some point - the boulders are now gone and the road does not narrow. This is a long day trip! This is a wonderful resource! Continuing up well be making a traverse up towards the summit. Looking down the Collier Glacier side, A zoomed-in view of Mt. Note that recent logging activity has resulted in better logging roads and more of them - older trip reports are now inaccurate. Eventually after breaking out of the forest we took a long break ditching trail-runners and filling up the water bottles. Choose broken, exposed chimney or traverse right to ridge spur. Caubvicks trip. Alpine Climbing Moderate Distance 23 km Ascent 1.6 km Descent 1.6 km Low Point 1.6 km High Point 3.1 km Gradient 25 View on map Download GPX Flyover Share The North Sister is the most difficult of the Three Sisters to climb. 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. However the road system is likely to continue to change with new mining and logging. Washington are much harder from rock climbing perspective. Photo by, Looking towards a nearly hidden Middle Sister from the summit of North Sister. Any asthma or allergies to food, animals or the environment must be included in your form. Call us today to get started on your trip reservation. The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Not long after a third cairn marks the turn (at approximately 3200 ft) onto the last road. Avoiding other climbing parties should be a priority; rockfall is the largest danger on the upper mountain. I know it isn't a quick job. It will switchback steeply before a final turn-off with a cairn at approximately 3900 ft. A hundred feet later the TH is reached at about 4000 ft. This is probably the least fun section of the whole route on North Sister - gaining the Southwest Ridge from the upper Collier Glacier. 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). 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. Northwest Forest pass required at trailheads. However, when leaving other people on the route who do not have this comfort level, you need to bring some ropes and gear. Dr Bradley Hall, 35, built the room . These conditions require that you be in excellent fitness. Getting There From Eugene, OR, drive SR-126 east and turn right onto SR-242 and continue to the Obsidian Trailhead (4,800 ft). Many people don't even use that. May 21%. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The North Twin Sister is the northern most peak in the Twin Sister Range located just southwest of Mount Baker. There are no activities scheduled at this location. updates, images and resources. Consider bringing a rope for a hand line though most parties have not needed it. The top section includes a scramble up a rough-shod slope of scree. fell in this part of the mountain and his body has not been recovered. I suspect Anthony Marra's line roughly follows the blue line, but I might be wrong (2022-05-23). Spectacular views of Mount Baker and Puget Sound. We did bring two 30m ropes and there was a solid anchor but we figured itd be faster to just down-climb. Big wall climbing routes may combine aid and YDS ratings, along with an NCCS (National Climbing Classification System) grade to describe . For West side routes, use the Mckenzie Pass Highway. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. Our guides were great, . 10) I climbed the route in trail running shoes. If you have any chronic health conditions, please consult your doctorbefore signing up for any trip.Climber-to-Guide Ratios:Each climbing program has a maximum climber-to-guide ratio, listed at the bottom of the climb description. Woke up at 3:30 am and drove through some treacherous winter conditions. Go another 0.75 miles to Forest Road 38. Then you have come to the right place! "I am very happy with my TMG experience. There are several routes to the summit; from the east side, the mountain is accessed via the Pole Creek Trailhead using a route that leads over Hayden Glacier. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Photo by Alex R. Me near the treeline. Helmets are a good idea year-round. There are no resources for this route/place. Photo by, My greatest high 5 ever, atop North Sister with Troy Baker. Thank you for the excellent TR! Also, with a large group like that, you can probably hitch a ride on their rope if you wanted do. When I go I now have exactly the resource I need! Begin on left, continuing past final clump of seven trees on crest, then directly over false summit crag (steep class 3). This is looking at the north-eastern horizon. Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History 19 September 1785 - Launch of French Fougueux, 74 gun Tmraire class Ship of the Line at Lorient Fougueux was a Tmraire class 74-gun French ship of the line built at Lorient from 1784 to 1785 by engineer Segondat. We will adhere to these policies under all circumstances. Our programs operate in remote locations where advanced medical care and evacuation may not be available for hours or days. If you don't have much Alpine experience, or just want the security of seasoned veterans guiding you up this mountain, then I strongly recommend you sign up with them. All of our mountaineering climbs require very good physical fitness. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. The climbers' trail is easily followed up to the ridge. Photo by Alex R. Alex plodding up volcanic choss with Middle Sister behind. But it was a lovely climb - the surface was pretty good, the traffic low and the gradient of between 5% and 10% all the way meant we gained height quickly without it being too steep. Travel insurance options are extensive, and oftentimes confusing to sort through. Both approaches meet at the south ridge and the route is the same from that point. 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. Thank you for providing such a detailed description, it really makes it clear exactly what one is getting into on N Sister. No exaggeration here, but this is argueably the best and most useful trip report I have ever seen submitted to the site! Advanced permits are required to day hike and overnight camp here. Fraser Valley, Fraser Canyon and Harrison Areas, Big Pine Mountain and Little Pine Mountain, Mount Daniel, Pender Hill and Harbour Peak, Sugarloaf Mountain, Tomato Hill, Tucker Hill, Kirk Hill (FL). There is some exposure and many parties have a tendency to get a bit off route near the summit - no big deal if you're ok on exposed 4th class. The route to the summit starts at the trailhead and goes through Point 1 on this map to Point 2. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a15f2532e7f7332 At this point there are still hours of traversing ahead to reach the summit shoulder. Theres no way could we make an alpine start on this one. . Continue across glacier on snow or scree to attain the south ridge. By signing, you assume responsibility for all the risks associated with this activity, and you acknowledge the hazards that are beyond our control. It is an important component of risk management, because the more fit we are as a team, the more capacity we have to deal with challenging situations. North Sister via Pole Creek Trail hard (62) Deschutes National Forest Photos (237) Directions Print/PDF Map Share Enjoy this 14.9-mile out-and-back trail near La Pine, Oregon. This is the most difficult of Oregon's Three Sisters. Additionally, if you are approaching from the Obsidian Trail, you need to get a special Limited Entry Permit. Interested in a trip? The guide will make a decision to turn back if they feel that the group is being placed in jeopardy. There is a steep exposed snowfield to cross (terrible traverse) just before the Bowling Alley that doesnt melt until mid-summer. But, sounds like you were faster anyway Congrats! The top of the pitch is the rappel slings. 8) Please heed johngo'd advice about keeping the party together in the BA. This causes your response to show on their profile page. Trail Details Summit: 10,363 Distance: 12 miles Time: 6-9 hours Difficulty: Strenuous Elevation gain: 4,820 ft Dogs: Yes, on leash When to go: Late July to early October Download GPX This hike is a strenuous, all-day affair. Routes South Sister Climber Trail (1-way) 32 summits 6.4 mi 4,804 ft gain 7 hr 0 min Class 2 South Sister 6.2 mi route (1-way) 2 summits 6.2 mi 4,906 ft gain 5 hr 38 min South Sister 13.5 mi route Timberline Mountain Guides will lead your climb in any weather conditions, although there is no guarantee that we will reach the summit. The program did not go as planned due to inclement weather but we still had fun and good experience. A 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit organization were faster anyway Congrats the North Sister... Call us today to get a special Limited Entry Permit share the same final ridge leading a he. A priority ; rockfall is the most difficult of Oregon & # x27 ; s Three Sisters, we receive! 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