| Great day on Middle Sister Trip Report |
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| Great day on Middle Sister   | 
| Page Type: Trip Report Location: Oregon, United States, North America Date Climbed/Hiked: Aug 23, 2008 Activities: Mountaineering Season: Summer | Page By: twoshuzz Created/Edited: Aug 24, 2008 / Aug 24, 2008 Object ID: 434849 Hits: 258 Loading... Page Score: 86.02% - 1 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Valet parking ?
I pulled into the Pole Creek TH at about 3:00 PM on Friday afternoon. I half expected a lot attendant as there were at least 50 vehicles jammed together like sardines in a can. Bummer!. I hit the trail shaking my head while hoping that the majority were headed for the many lakes in the area. I passed two guys who were headed for North Sis, and another group of four plus three dogs who were headed for Mid Sis. About three hours after hitting the trail, I had camp set and was able to enjoy a fantastic sunset from the moraine below the East ridge of N. Sister. The morning provided a spectacular sunrise as I was off to a late 7.00 AM start. No boots, no crampons so I wanted to give the snow a chance to slightly soften. Heading up  Cevasses on the Northern aspect of the Hayden Glacier  The "Schrund" below the E. face of Mid Sis.  Around the lowest crevasse and heading up the spine toward Collier Cone  North Sister S.W.ridge with summit pinncale in the backgroud  The view to the west down the Renfrew from Collier Col
Running the series of moraines, I stepped out onto the Hayden at about its mid point about an hour out of camp.Broken and crevassed on its North aspect, I ran around the left side of the lowest crevasse and rode the spine to just below Collier cone. I heard some appreciable rock fall coming from Mid Sis but saw nothing coming down the east face. Just below Collier Cone, I hooked directly south following another "spine" around the top of the small crater filled with debri and arrived just below the col. A quick series of two steps up and one step back up the scree brought me onto Collier Col.
On Top  Looking North to Wahington,3 Fingered Jack and Jefferson from Middle Sister summit  Broken Top from Middle Sister summit.  South Sister from Middle Sister summit
After a quick drink and snack, I made my way up along the ridge. I got suckered onto the face while following a crossing boot track and into the %@$& scree. Fighting my way up and back to the left I found better ground and hugged the ridge the rest of the way. I could here rock fall on both N. Sister and above me on Mid but never saw a thing.About an hour after leaving the col, I hit the top for a great view and some pretty hazy pics.After an hour or so up top,I followed the obvious track down trying to stay out of the deeper scree. I broke left of the ridge where needed but tried to stay close. Finally, back at the col I emptied my boots and hit the Hayden for a couple of sweet standing glissades down the spine.The snow was perfect for pole pushing when needed and easy control on down.I was able to easily do the route in hikers only. The snow was perfect for shallow step kicking when need in the early AM.No crampons and the axe never came off my pack.I was back in camp in under two hours after leaving the summit. Easy trip made for a fun day.
As for all the cars in the lot on Friday, they were indeed bound for the lakes.I met two guys as I started down. I had watched them moving up the Renfrew from the west. Once back onto the Hayden, I stopped and talked with two of the four I had passed on the trail Friday night. The other two had dropped out low on the Hayden as their dogs could not make it up the glacier.Summit all to myself !!!
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Three Sisters
