Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 2, 2005
Camped at Moraine lake, started climb at 4am. The snow was nice and hard and we were the first to summit that day. On the way back the snow was very soft and slushy which was nice for glissading but not nice for those going up.
The weather was clear and the views were amazing.
Ski poles made moving very easy, did not need ice axe or crampons.
Route Climbed: South Route Date Climbed: August 19, 2002
This was my first summit of a Cascade Volcano, and I am hooked! I wasn't too crazy about all the scree, but the view from the top made it worth it all! I'm looking forward to many more summits to come.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: September 6, 2004
Route Climbed: South Ridge
Date Climbed: September 6, 2004
Date Signed: Sept 08, 2004 11:52 PM
I thought South Sister would have been packed with people! Cornvallis and I hit the summit just after sunrise. Beautiful. Not a single person on the route that early morning. Found them on the way back down.
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: September 9th, 2004
Great climb, going to do it in winter next year. Bring Trekking Poles and gaiters (even on hot days to keep out scree). Views are incredible, altitude not a problem.
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 2001
Camped at Demaris Lake, hiked past Chambers Lakes and traversed around to the northwest ridge. Ascent was slow and long, loose rock most of the way up.
Route Climbed: South sister climber trail Date Climbed: October 2002
Clear weather enabled a late season summit, met Jim who climbed it some 39 times. cached my safety gear half way up. Ill on the way down, too concentrated of gatorade
Made it up to within 500 ft of the summit when a storm blew in and we had to turn around. We were able to ski all the way down from that point though and it was great. Dropped a couple of nice cornices on the way, one right into a bowl with a little glacial lake sitting at the bottom of it. Tons of fun.
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: October 16, 2004
Left Portland at Midnight Friday, hit the trailhead at Devil's Lake at 3:45. No moon, but crystal clear and the stars were amazing. Sunrise was inspiring at about 8500 ft. Wind was wicked from the ridge along Lewis Glacier on up: steady 30-40 mph, gusting much higher. Mike, Aaron and I were the first on the summit a little after 8:00 and had it to ourselves till we started back down about 9:30. Clear all around, but eerie clouds were continuously blowing across the top. Back to the car about 1:00 on the last beautiful sunny day before the snow hit.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: September 6, 2004
Left Devils Lake at 2:30 AM to enjoy the bright moon, sunrise, and beat the crowds. We definitely beat the crowds, not a single person on the route that early morning. Had the summit crater to ourselves for over an hour on an amazing warm clear day. Kind of a strange feeling to have South Sister to yourself for so long on a beautiful day. Been up there when it is snowing and seen the crater swarming with people. Found the crowds on or way back down the south ridge though. Nice cold dip in Devils Lake and nap upon return.
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: August 21, 2004
Great climb with Aukjen, Bernard, Peter and Ian. Arrived in Central Oregon late at night, no campgrounds open on entire Cascade Lakes Highway. Decided to just hit the trail and see how far we could go. Left Devil's Lake Trailhead near midnight. Long slog up, last thousand feet pretty painful and slow, but an amazing night sky made it worth it. Only one other group headed up that night. Reached summit at sunrise, snapped photos on true summit and then fell asleep in wind shelter until 10 am. Woke to the company of dozens of other people on the summit. Great trip down, afternoon siesta in the shade, thunderstorms rolled in as we left. Beers/burgers at Deschutes Brewery before storm hit. Fabulous day out with good friends, and night climbing avoided the crowds... a much recommended strategy.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 21, 2004
What Amy said. Climbing up at night with sleeping bags to sack out in on the summit is the way to go. A cast of thousands on the way up when we headed down at about 10 a.m. An awesome starry-skied climb with great people. Also Floor Pie.
Route Climbed: South Summit Trail Date Climbed: August 19
Started trail at 6:00 a.m. Got to Lewis Glacier by 10:00. Reached the summit at 11:50. Took a lot of time talking to all the people on the way up (about 80 people on a Thursday). Left the summit at 12:15 and reached the car by 4:00. Trail seemed rather busy at the top. I guess everyone took off between 5:30 and 7:00. Once you got past the people it was very nice. Some people say coming down to Lewis Glacier is worse then climbing up to the summit. I think it's actually easier. Dig your heels in, and just let go! Fun climb though.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 15, 2004
Left Devils Lake at 0515 and was the 14th person on the summit when I reached it at 0930. Did have an awesome view of smokejumpers being dropped on a lightning strike near the PCT to the west. Back in car at 1230. Route easier than anticipated and I carried too much water.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 9 August 2004
Camped at the TH and left at 5:30 am. 8 hours round trip. Leaving early put me first and alone on the summit for a very nice half hour. I also was in the shade until almost to the Green Trail junction. After that I met a fairly steady stream of people.
The steep slope is a bigger pain down than up because of the roly-poly rocks. Can't believe how late people start on this hike. When I camped the night before, there were people coming back well after dark.
Route Climbed: S. Side Date Climbed: July 4th, 2004
Climb Party: Ercan, Aish
South side ascent of South sister from the Devils Lake TH. Car camped (Ercan Bivy'd) at the TH and went for an early start at 04:00 from the TH. Reached summit at 09:30, and back to the car at 13:30. Great weather (sunny, blue skies and temperatures in the 80's) and great summit views of Middle, North, Bachelor, Broken Top, Three fingered jack and all the way up to Mt. Hood to the North.
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July, 4'04
Climbed with Aish starting at Devil's Lake. Started 4:00am and summitted 9:30am. Got back at 1:00pm. Early start helped us to avoid the crowd. Half of the trail was covered with snow. No snow on the ridge, hence it was dusty. Clear skies, wonderful views.
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: October 15, 2003
Left from Devils Lake with snow in the air and was getting wet an hour in... Had high winds and freezing rain at the top... felt like needles. Spent less time on this summit than any other...enough time to snap a photo of a miserable climber and him of me. Was so cold and soaked on the way down that we didn't even stop to eat. Made it in 6 hours. This Sister ended up being Ugly Sister on that day....But it makes for memorable adventures.
Photuris - Jul 6, 2005 12:37 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July 2, 2005Camped at Moraine lake, started climb at 4am. The snow was nice and hard and we were the first to summit that day. On the way back the snow was very soft and slushy which was nice for glissading but not nice for those going up.
The weather was clear and the views were amazing.
Ski poles made moving very easy, did not need ice axe or crampons.
mtnsavy - Jun 21, 2005 2:00 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: June 2000Easy but fun Cascade summit.
Jeffrey Zickert - Jun 11, 2005 9:51 am
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 6-10-05Very nice day for a hike. Lots of soft snow made going slow.
DagiTig - Jun 8, 2005 2:05 pm
Route Climbed: South Route Date Climbed: August 19, 2002This was my first summit of a Cascade Volcano, and I am hooked! I wasn't too crazy about all the scree, but the view from the top made it worth it all! I'm looking forward to many more summits to come.
annaleiserabinek - Jun 7, 2005 7:03 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: September 6, 2004Route Climbed: South Ridge
Date Climbed: September 6, 2004
Date Signed: Sept 08, 2004 11:52 PM
I thought South Sister would have been packed with people! Cornvallis and I hit the summit just after sunrise. Beautiful. Not a single person on the route that early morning. Found them on the way back down.
Scott Dusek - May 28, 2005 11:40 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: September 9th, 2004Great climb, going to do it in winter next year. Bring Trekking Poles and gaiters (even on hot days to keep out scree). Views are incredible, altitude not a problem.
Karl Helser - May 10, 2005 7:49 pm
Route Climbed: From Devils Lake Date Climbed: August '01Left Devil's Lake at 8:00AM and summited at 12:15PM. Beautiful weather & views. Lots of butterflies. Long day hike.
Andy Dewey - Feb 3, 2005 3:37 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: August 2001Camped at Demaris Lake, hiked past Chambers Lakes and traversed around to the northwest ridge. Ascent was slow and long, loose rock most of the way up.
onandupwards - Jan 23, 2005 11:41 pm
Route Climbed: South sister climber trail Date Climbed: October 2002Clear weather enabled a late season summit, met Jim who climbed it some 39 times. cached my safety gear half way up. Ill on the way down, too concentrated of gatorade
K2McKay - Nov 22, 2004 6:59 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: 7/10/97Made it up to within 500 ft of the summit when a storm blew in and we had to turn around. We were able to ski all the way down from that point though and it was great. Dropped a couple of nice cornices on the way, one right into a bowl with a little glacial lake sitting at the bottom of it. Tons of fun.
jgoodell - Oct 18, 2004 1:18 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: October 16, 2004Left Portland at Midnight Friday, hit the trailhead at Devil's Lake at 3:45. No moon, but crystal clear and the stars were amazing. Sunrise was inspiring at about 8500 ft. Wind was wicked from the ridge along Lewis Glacier on up: steady 30-40 mph, gusting much higher. Mike, Aaron and I were the first on the summit a little after 8:00 and had it to ourselves till we started back down about 9:30. Clear all around, but eerie clouds were continuously blowing across the top. Back to the car about 1:00 on the last beautiful sunny day before the snow hit.
Cornvallis - Sep 8, 2004 11:52 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: September 6, 2004Left Devils Lake at 2:30 AM to enjoy the bright moon, sunrise, and beat the crowds. We definitely beat the crowds, not a single person on the route that early morning. Had the summit crater to ourselves for over an hour on an amazing warm clear day. Kind of a strange feeling to have South Sister to yourself for so long on a beautiful day. Been up there when it is snowing and seen the crater swarming with people. Found the crowds on or way back down the south ridge though. Nice cold dip in Devils Lake and nap upon return.
amochka - Aug 24, 2004 10:16 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: August 21, 2004Great climb with Aukjen, Bernard, Peter and Ian. Arrived in Central Oregon late at night, no campgrounds open on entire Cascade Lakes Highway. Decided to just hit the trail and see how far we could go. Left Devil's Lake Trailhead near midnight. Long slog up, last thousand feet pretty painful and slow, but an amazing night sky made it worth it. Only one other group headed up that night. Reached summit at sunrise, snapped photos on true summit and then fell asleep in wind shelter until 10 am. Woke to the company of dozens of other people on the summit. Great trip down, afternoon siesta in the shade, thunderstorms rolled in as we left. Beers/burgers at Deschutes Brewery before storm hit. Fabulous day out with good friends, and night climbing avoided the crowds... a much recommended strategy.
pksander - Aug 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 21, 2004What Amy said. Climbing up at night with sleeping bags to sack out in on the summit is the way to go. A cast of thousands on the way up when we headed down at about 10 a.m. An awesome starry-skied climb with great people. Also Floor Pie.
kev_n_barb - Aug 21, 2004 12:49 am
Route Climbed: South Summit Trail Date Climbed: August 19Started trail at 6:00 a.m. Got to Lewis Glacier by 10:00. Reached the summit at 11:50. Took a lot of time talking to all the people on the way up (about 80 people on a Thursday). Left the summit at 12:15 and reached the car by 4:00. Trail seemed rather busy at the top. I guess everyone took off between 5:30 and 7:00. Once you got past the people it was very nice. Some people say coming down to Lewis Glacier is worse then climbing up to the summit. I think it's actually easier. Dig your heels in, and just let go! Fun climb though.
cjwhat - Aug 17, 2004 8:14 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: August 15, 2004Left Devils Lake at 0515 and was the 14th person on the summit when I reached it at 0930. Did have an awesome view of smokejumpers being dropped on a lightning strike near the PCT to the west. Back in car at 1230. Route easier than anticipated and I carried too much water.
Moni - Aug 10, 2004 5:27 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: 9 August 2004Camped at the TH and left at 5:30 am. 8 hours round trip. Leaving early put me first and alone on the summit for a very nice half hour. I also was in the shade until almost to the Green Trail junction. After that I met a fairly steady stream of people.
The steep slope is a bigger pain down than up because of the roly-poly rocks. Can't believe how late people start on this hike. When I camped the night before, there were people coming back well after dark.
aishv - Jul 5, 2004 12:42 pm
Route Climbed: S. Side Date Climbed: July 4th, 2004Climb Party: Ercan, Aish
South side ascent of South sister from the Devils Lake TH. Car camped (Ercan Bivy'd) at the TH and went for an early start at 04:00 from the TH. Reached summit at 09:30, and back to the car at 13:30. Great weather (sunny, blue skies and temperatures in the 80's) and great summit views of Middle, North, Bachelor, Broken Top, Three fingered jack and all the way up to Mt. Hood to the North.
e.acar - Jul 4, 2004 10:48 pm
Route Climbed: South Ridge Date Climbed: July, 4'04Climbed with Aish starting at Devil's Lake. Started 4:00am and summitted 9:30am. Got back at 1:00pm. Early start helped us to avoid the crowd. Half of the trail was covered with snow. No snow on the ridge, hence it was dusty. Clear skies, wonderful views.
Pawkala - Jul 1, 2004 10:45 pm
Route Climbed: South Side Date Climbed: October 15, 2003Left from Devils Lake with snow in the air and was getting wet an hour in... Had high winds and freezing rain at the top... felt like needles. Spent less time on this summit than any other...enough time to snap a photo of a miserable climber and him of me. Was so cold and soaked on the way down that we didn't even stop to eat. Made it in 6 hours. This Sister ended up being Ugly Sister on that day....But it makes for memorable adventures.