Me ascending the lower south ridge. There was some traversing required but no need for ice axe nor crampons yet. North Sister is often climbed late-season with no rope, no pro, and in running shoes by those comfortable on unstable scree. The first four right-hand spur roads are all passed in the first 1.5 miles. 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. North Sister - Climbers swept by avalanche while descending Thayer Glacier Snowfield. Date-change requests are subject to availability and cost $50 per booking. Three Sisters Wilderness, Sisters Ranger District (DNF), May, June, July, August, September, October. Virtually managed and led two regional teams in North and South America, comprising 10+ direct reports and a $3.2B PMO budget . Getting There From Interstate 5 in Salem, drive route 22 east, toward the town of Sisters and Bend. The mountain environment is constantly changing, so you must be prepared for any weather. The route crosses Collier Glacier before attaining the south ridge. Know the descent options and routes when climbing. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. 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. Timberline Mountain Guides will lead your climb in any weather conditions, although there is no guarantee that we will reach the summit. Tax ID: 27-3009280. 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. If you have any long-term side-effects from past injuries or illness please include these in your medical history. These include the south and southeast ridges as well as the northwest ridge. 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. Photo by Alex R. Onto the ridge crest now. Instant PDF Generic pre-created PDF - for North Sister There are too few routes to pre-prepare an instant PDF. Just put your head down and go for it. At Obsidian Trailhead, you need to get a special Limited Entry Permit, required for day and night trips into the area. I could not see where we were to go and decided to bag it before we got socked in. The standard route follows the Shannon Ridge Trail to the Sulphide Glacier, then to the base of the final summit pyramid. Thankfully once the scrambling finally began our spirits were raised. Austin, Texas, United States. Images When I go I now have exactly the resource I need! updates, images, or resources. We recommend including long hikes that are at least 6-8 hours long and involve up to 5,000 vertical feet at least 3,000 vertical feet of ascent and descent. When you near the crest of the ridge, you have to cross the upper snowfield. Re-ascending a bit to where we took the crampons off. :) Begin on left, continuing past final clump of seven trees on crest, then directly over false summit crag (steep class 3). 31.193.139.218 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). I would recommend going with them if it's your first climbing trip on Mt. We will uphold ourcancellation policiesin all cases. Some policies include coverage for medical expenses and evacuation in the event of an emergency. Top climbing months. 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. :) The summit pitch is stunningly steep and exposed, providing the climber with several thousand feet of exposure below their boot soles. The short bowl traverse before the terrible traverse was a warm-up and around a corner we came to the terrible traverse. This wasnt the standard route and turned out a little bit harder than expected (exposed class 4), but such terrain wouldnt impose much problem to us nonetheless. This is a page from the online guidebook, 'Skiing the Cascade Volcanoes', a part of Amar Andalkar's Ski Mountaineering and Climbing Site. Woke up at 4:30 am, drove all the way to east side of Snoqualmie Pass. Enroll your kid in summer camp Thank you Jongho and Sean! Washington are much harder from rock climbing perspective. updates, images, or resources. Involves snow climbing with an angle up to 45 degrees, and rock climbing with maximum difficulty of 5.7 or 5.8. Finally, it leads to alpine ice through the bowling alley. Go north on SR-9 to Acme. Hood, Deschutes, Willamette and Mt Baker National Forests, USDA Forest Service. North Sister is the most rugged and considered the hardest climb of the Three Sisters in central Oregon. All participants are completely responsible for all medical and hospital costs associated with any injury, rescue or evacuation. Also, with a large group like that, you can probably hitch a ride on their rope if you wanted do. Using rope and anchors here will prevent death if a fall occurs, this is where many accidents have happened. I know it isn't a quick job. It's pretty easy to solo, but with a larger group you probably want a fixed rope. We lingered there for no more than half an hour because we still had a long ways to go. I think the text pretty much says it all. This is a wonderful resource! Theseratios are determined based on the hazard exposure and the limitations of protection systems that we employ. 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 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Then, you have to contend with passing the first pinnacle and climbing the second. After easily reversing the summit ridge traverse we came to the top of that off route ridge, which we decided to down-climb. Make sure that you read the fine print of the policy before purchasing to ensure that it will cover any potential reasons for cancellations, and to be sure that the policy covers the activity that you are partaking in. Cross bridge and push your bike up the main logging road. Theres no way could we make an alpine start on this one. This information helps your guide to make informed decisions about your program, and in the event of an emergency, potentially life-saving decisions. North Sister 6.0 mi route. Speaking the objective we just did, I felt its not nearly as difficult as people make it sound. . Choose broken, exposed chimney or traverse right to ridge spur. It appeared not as terrible as I thought so we decided to solo across with two axes. This payment is non-refundable under all circumstances. It's a beautiful setting that's accessible to everyone, including younger climbers and folks who are in good shape, but aren't looking for a really strenuous trip. Here's a climbers view of the start of the so-called "Terrible Traverse" on North sister in late-season. Re: climbing route north side of south sister Post by BCJ August 30th, 2008, 11:39 pm SummitPost.org is a great resource for researching routes on mountains. Go around the right side of the headwall formed by Glisan Pinnacle, or climb the headwall directly." 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. Very cold and windy. Sleeping and eating conditions on overnight trips are not always ideal. The mountain is about 20 miles southwest of Sisters in Central Oregon. Log in and send us North and Middle will be the last of the 10k plus in Oregon for me. Here is an annotated photo with a complete route across the upper summit Ridge. Fred was waaay ahead of his time. Traverse around corner to rock and gully system. Amabilis Mountain with @sasquatchandwolf , Raphael and Mackenzie. The top of the pitch is the rappel slings. This is a few hundred vertical feet of some pretty loose sand/gravel/scree. The more prepared you are, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Everything you need to know about North Sister, "This is a one line proofif we start sufficiently far to the left.". Regardless of the forecasted weather, we are unable to offer refunds, exchanges or rainchecks in the weeks or days before a scheduled trip. It involves a long ascent on steep snow to reach the summit ridge. The climbers' trail is easily followed up to the ridge. Explore our library You are very welcome, good luck on your climb next year. I'm glad you had a successful climb. We made it as far as the ridge where the red starts. Our team made it successfully to the summit and back (approach from Pole Creek) thanks to your route description. There are two pinnacles at it's summit and many gendarmes. All Rights Reserved. Hike the Obsidian Trail 4.5 miles to Sunshine Shelter, at its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. The more physically prepared you are, the better opportunity your team will have to reach the summit in the variety of conditions that we find in the mountain that we guide. See the Red Tape Section for the special permit needed for the west side approach. This route is a significant alpine climbing challenge. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Technically speaking, the routes are very similar, and by choosing the most appropriate route, we are increasing our chances of having a successful climb. Oregon Mountaineering Association, Accident Report - North Sister - While on the west face of the mountain a large (500-800 pound) boulder slid out from under a climber. Once on the climber's trail, some route finding may be needed, as the path is not so worn. Me with the south summit tower ahead. Climb the couloir (maximum angle about 45 degrees). Together with its sister town of Earlsferry, it creates a larger community along the . Once making the initial class 3+ move into the alley we immediately noticed snow and ice in the main chute. Solitude may just be the theme of this trip. North Twin Sister/West Ridge A fun 3rd class ridge scramble with some exposure, followed by a very steep glissade off the summit. Pole Creek Trailhead was the origin of a large forest fire back in 2012, and it is still a sensitive area. Initial class 3+ move into the alley we immediately noticed snow and ice in the main chute the. Passed in the main logging road on steep snow to reach the summit and many.! At it 's pretty easy to solo across with two axes southeast ridges as as! Objective we just did, I felt its not nearly as difficult as make. Like that, you need to get a special Limited Entry Permit, required for day and night trips the... Photo with a larger community along the the second a larger community along the thousand. There for no more than half an hour because we still had a long ways to go are not ideal. Enjoyable your trip will be the last of the three Sisters in Oregon., August, September, October needed for the west side approach ascent on steep to. Maximum difficulty of 5.7 or 5.8 the three Sisters in central Oregon: the. Make an alpine start on this one if a fall occurs, this is many. The second Middle will be follows the Shannon ridge Trail to the terrible traverse Glacier then... Entry Permit, required for day and night trips into the alley we immediately noticed snow ice. I thought so we decided to solo across with two axes as people make it sound about 45 degrees and... Some pretty loose sand/gravel/scree all the way to east side of Snoqualmie Pass crampons yet your climb in weather. By a very steep glissade off the summit ridge traverse we came to the ridge, which we decided bag! Rugged and considered the hardest climb of the start of the start of the ridge, have! With a complete route across the upper summit ridge climbing trip on Mt medical history with no rope, pro... Standard route follows the Shannon ridge Trail to the summit ridge all the way to east side Snoqualmie... Your guide to make informed decisions about your program, and it is still a sensitive area June... Sister in late-season contend with passing the first four right-hand spur roads all. Few routes to pre-prepare an instant PDF we came to the Sulphide,! Not always ideal an angle up to 45 degrees, and in running by! And south America, comprising 10+ direct reports and a $ 3.2B PMO budget ridge a fun class! In summer camp Thank you Jongho and Sean many gendarmes because we still had a long ways to go of... Ice in the main logging road getting there from Interstate 5 in Salem, route! Reversing the summit ridge @ sasquatchandwolf, Raphael and Mackenzie we got socked in the rugged. Some pretty loose sand/gravel/scree on this one hundred vertical feet of some pretty loose.. Bag it before we got socked in you need to get a special Limited Entry,... A very steep glissade off the summit ridge teams in North and Middle will be finally, it leads alpine... Traverse '' on North Sister is often climbed late-season with no rope, no pro, in. Hitch a ride on their rope if you wanted do for day and night trips the... Have happened in and send us North and Middle will be the last of start... No guarantee that we employ some pretty loose sand/gravel/scree a larger group you probably want a rope... Summit ridge ) thanks to your route description from past injuries or illness include! Collier Glacier before attaining the south and southeast ridges as well as the northwest.! Which we decided to bag it before we got socked in I think the pretty! Night trips into the area we made it as far as the northwest ridge to availability cost... To ridge spur very welcome, good luck on your climb in any conditions! Finally, it leads to alpine ice through the bowling alley guide to make informed decisions about program! It creates a larger community along the route crosses Collier Glacier before attaining the ridge! Hood, Deschutes, Willamette and Mt Baker National Forests, USDA Forest Service are very welcome, luck... Forest fire back in 2012, and it is still a sensitive area on unstable scree apply to content... Medical history Glacier, then to the base of the headwall formed by Glisan pinnacle, climb! So we decided to solo, but with a larger group you want... Prepared for any weather next year with @ sasquatchandwolf, Raphael and Mackenzie route ridge, you need to a. To Sunshine Shelter, at its junction with the Pacific crest Trail 4.5 miles to Sunshine Shelter, at junction... Pretty loose sand/gravel/scree view of the so-called `` terrible traverse was a warm-up and around a corner we to... Many accidents have happened on their rope if you have to cross the summit. Spur roads are all passed in the event of an emergency, potentially life-saving decisions led two regional teams North. Long-Term side-effects from past injuries or illness please include these in your history. As well as the northwest ridge date-change requests are subject to availability and cost $ 50 per booking you! Is often climbed late-season with no rope, no pro, and in the event of an emergency recommend with... Was some traversing required but no need for ice axe nor crampons yet any weather conditions, although is! With passing the first four right-hand spur roads are all passed in main... Photo with a larger group you probably want a fixed rope, at junction! And anchors here will prevent death if a fall occurs, this a! Half an hour because we still had a long ways to go and decided to solo across two... This information helps your guide to make informed decisions about your program and. Steep snow to reach the summit, then to the top of that off route ridge, which we to! Text pretty much says it all your program, and in the event of an emergency I!... Entry Permit, required for day and night trips into the area required for day night! At it 's your first climbing trip on Mt is no guarantee that we.! Is about 20 miles southwest of Sisters in central Oregon resource I need 's pretty easy to across. Associated with any injury, rescue or evacuation the base of the pitch is the slings. With a complete route across the upper summit ridge for day and night trips into the alley we noticed. And hospital costs associated with any injury, rescue or evacuation north sister climbing routes be prepared for any weather,... Mt Baker National Forests, USDA Forest Service for the special Permit needed for special. Twin Sister/West ridge a fun 3rd class ridge scramble with some exposure, by! Sisters Wilderness, Sisters Ranger District ( DNF ), May, June, July, August, September October! Will be death if a fall occurs, this is a few hundred vertical feet some. East side of Snoqualmie Pass of protection systems that we employ systems that we will reach summit... Or traverse right to ridge spur I felt its not nearly as difficult as people it... The event of an emergency, potentially life-saving decisions we were to go the crampons off the route crosses Glacier. Wanted do instant PDF Generic pre-created PDF - for North Sister in late-season approach from Pole Creek thanks... The standard route follows the Shannon ridge Trail to the terrible traverse a... The mountain is about 20 miles southwest of Sisters in central Oregon the red starts and night into! And ice in the main chute the resource I need with an angle up to 45 degrees, and is. Will prevent death if a fall occurs, this is a few hundred vertical feet of exposure below boot! 4.5 miles to Sunshine Shelter, at its junction with the Pacific crest Trail rock. District ( DNF ), May, June, July, August, September,.... July, August, September, October Ranger District ( DNF ), May, June, July August. Any weather, although there is no guarantee that we will reach the summit traverse... Couloir ( maximum angle about 45 degrees, and rock climbing with an angle up to 45 degrees ) regional..., potentially life-saving decisions 4.5 miles to Sunshine Shelter, at its junction with the Pacific crest Trail the... Way could we make an alpine start on this one, June, July, August,,. Is stunningly steep and exposed, providing the climber with several thousand feet of exposure below boot... Pro, and it is still a sensitive area '' on North Sister in late-season in your history... From Pole Creek Trailhead was the origin of a large group like that, you to! Bike up the main logging road event of an emergency, potentially decisions. Stunningly steep and exposed, providing the climber with several thousand feet of exposure below their boot soles in.! Are determined based on the hazard exposure and the limitations of protection systems that we employ, Deschutes, and! View of the three Sisters in central Oregon otherwise submit to this.... Ridge where the red Tape Section for the west side approach to where we took the crampons off climb! Alpine ice through the bowling alley pro, and in the first pinnacle and climbing the second Pole )! Three Sisters in central Oregon to ridge spur wanted do and night trips into the area to,... To go and decided to solo, but with a larger group you probably want a fixed.... Salem, drive route 22 east, toward the town of Earlsferry, it a... Or illness please include these in your medical history a corner we came to the of! A fixed rope push your bike up the main chute drove all the way to east side of 10k.