South Sister Conditions

[illegalviking]

What is the south sister looking like?

[warrior1515]

I know that there is snow on the summit and coming down to around 6000'-7000'. It hasn't snowed for a week or so and temps have been warming up. Mid 30s at night. My guess is that the summit has 12 inches of snow.

 

Dave

[illegalviking]

Thanks warrior, appreciate the info. Might have to drive over and give it a shot.

[letsroll]

Long range forcast is looking good for next weekend. Smith or alpine...smith or alpine....

[warrior1515]

Thanks warrior, appreciate the info. Might have to drive over and give it a shot.

 

Shoot me a PM if you are interested in some company. Maybe our schedules will line up.

 

Dave

[gapertimmy]

looookin pretty thin. I'd leave the skis home and enjoy some scree!

 

[Julian]

I've been floating the idea of a SS trip with some of my friends, is the Cascade Lakes Highway still open and any word on when it will be closing? Yea or nay on bringing snowshoes?

[letsroll]

not sure when they usally close it but judging from the pic it will be at least a couple more storms with low freeze levels before they will close it. Unless we get a lot of snow between now and when you go I would skip the snowshoes. The snow up there by now is rather consolidated and most likely easy booting/cramponing.

 

pray for snow.

[warrior1515]

I just hiked from Devils Lake up the the moraine. Here is a pic from my phone, you can decide what gear is best for you. If I was to attempt the summit, I would go with just crampons and not snowshoes.

 

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/showphoto.php?photo=33175&size=big&cat=503

 

Dave

Edited November 2, 2007 by warrior1515

[Stewster]

Anyone climbing SS over Thanksgiving break. Thinking about it. Anyone want to join in?

[godskid5]

what route are you doing?

[warrior1515]

Up there yesterday and the road was closed.

[cynicalwoodsman]

I've been wanting to get a closer look at the N. side of that hill. I keep drivin' but I just can't seem to get a good view. I guess I'm gonna have to get out of my truck 'n hike a tad. When 'r they gonna pave the trails 'n put in a gondala?

 

[jlag]

PM me, let's talk about getting back there this winter.

 

somewhere around here GaperTimmy has some really good photos of the Silver C. and the N. Face in from last spring. Still a long haul in there regardless.

[letsroll]

MMMM over nighter????? The north side of south sister looks like it would be sick with some fresh pow. Sign me up

[cynicalwoodsman]

Is it a "... long haul..." because of snow-covered and gated roads, or is it still a long haul in from a trailhead?

[letsroll]

"Long Haul"

 

spring/summer/Fall when Cascades Lake Highway is melted out you have to start on the south side go north past green lakes to hit the North side of South Sis.

 

Spring/Summer/Fall when you can get to Pole Creek TH. It is a long hike to get around to Camp Lake/Chambers Lake. Then you start your climb.

 

Then you have to decide if you car shuttle or hike back to where you started. If car shuttle a little faster but still a VERY long day to good two days. And depending on how you did it you may cary over making things even harder.

 

I think those are the best two options for those seasons.

 

Winter now that is a totaly different story. Add on aprox 10 or more miles from both locations. Three days? or if you are crazy in shape two days for sure. For the south side approach you would start at Mount Batchlor where the Cacade Lakes highway is gated off for the season. You may be able to bribe a Slednecker to haul your but part of the way out there.

 

If you are planning for a winter ascent take skis, screw the slowshoes.

[cynicalwoodsman]

ummmmm... I don't ski. How close can ya get to pole cr. t.h.?

 

[letsroll]

Pole creek. It depends on how much it snows. Right now I don't know. Maybe some of the locals could chime in and tell you how close you can get right now. I just know from past posts and locals that it could be several miles in an average year. How many I am not sure.

[jlag]

You can drive to the Pole Creek TH as of today, but we'll see how long it lasts. It'll snow tonight and this week, but now sure if we'll get enough to hinder progress to the TH. My bet is you should be able to drive there no problem. But then your looking at a good 7-8 mile approach to the N. side of S. Sister.

 

JL