South Sister climb

South Sister mountain features a steep, non-technical ascent up to the 3rd highest peak in Oregon. How have I not climbed this yet? Now that I’m back in the States, let’s ditch work early on Friday afternoon and get together for a 10,358 feet altitude adjustment.

Good physical condition, basic camping gear, and items on the “Bring” list below are required for this camping/climbing trip. On Friday afternoon, we’ll drive down to Central Oregon and camp overnight at Devil’s Lake campground. Saturday at daybreak, we’ll climb, summit, descend, and drive home afterwards. Saturday’s gonna be a long day, so we’ll stop for dinner on the way back up to Portland.

Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (Steep, strenuous, uneven terrain with lots of loose scree)

Hiking distance: About 12.4 miles RT

Elevation gain: Nearly 5000 feet

Total hiking time: 5-9 hours, depending on group pace and photo breaks

Driving distance: 188 miles each way; $35 to drivers please, unless drivers determine otherwise

Permits: NW Forest Pass required for each vehicle

Dogs: Not on this one

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/0/f/5/600_443089397.jpeg

Photo by Sean Ringey (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ringey/48305162/in/photolist-5gzuL-5gzrC-5gzqT-5gzt6-5gzxo-dnyiu3-5gzvH-6UryC2-5gzvg-fTZFjv-nCLQYY-g6R845-cZTNBC-mMyo5-3847pE-mMzCr-6tr7TE-arAQyC-5BqHQd-mMz6P-hAQzG-2U9pAW-hAR5u-hAR2x-37Yxkr-3scy5w-2U9iSY-5BmuaB-mMxXJ-6XjjdD-2U9k8U-5BqJp7-mMyct-mMzxf-5Bmrxa-mMxpR-mMxvV-xYQ8i-5Bmqpt-mMyUG-mMxkX-mMygq-5BqBqy-2U518t-mMx3g-2U4Vjr-dcx1rp-dcx1wi-dcx2Pu-dcx2FJ/) on Flickr

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/2/9/600_443089705.jpeg

Photo by Sean Ringey (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ringey/48305344/in/photolist-5gzuL-5gzrC-5gzqT-5gzt6-5gzxo-dnyiu3-5gzvH-6UryC2-5gzvg-fTZFjv-nCLQYY-g6R845-cZTNBC-mMyo5-3847pE-mMzCr-6tr7TE-arAQyC-5BqHQd-mMz6P-hAQzG-2U9pAW-hAR5u-hAR2x-37Yxkr-3scy5w-2U9iSY-5BmuaB-mMxXJ-6XjjdD-2U9k8U-5BqJp7-mMyct-mMzxf-5Bmrxa-mMxpR-mMxvV-xYQ8i-5Bmqpt-mMyUG-mMxkX-mMygq-5BqBqy-2U518t-mMx3g-2U4Vjr-dcx1rp-dcx1wi-dcx2Pu-dcx2FJ) on Flickr

Here is more detailed information about our South Sister climbing route: http://www.summitpost.org/south-sister/150455

My usual hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5-3 mph or faster when not running), but I’ll be slowing it down a bit for this so our bodies can adjust to the higher altitude. It’s not you, it’s me. A good pace would be great, but I don’t want anyone to feel rushed. We will enjoy a lunch break at the summit, as well as short breaks for snacks, photos, and viewpoints.

Bring: Camping equipment (we will not be backpacking, but please comment whether you can bring a tent or camp stove), 2+ liters of water PLUS water for camping, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing including rain gear, a camera, shoes with good traction, and gas money. Crampons shouldn’t be necessary, but poles could be useful.

It is also recommended that climbers always carry the Ten Essentials:

1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)

2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)

3. Insulation (extra clothing)

4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)

5. First-aid supplies

6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)

7. Knife/tools

8. Nutrition (extra food)

9. Hydration (extra water)

10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.