mtn.climber Posted April 2, 2009 Posted April 2, 2009 Am looking to climb South Sister sometime in April or early May. Not sure whether to do the south climb, or the north route. Also, with the late snow season, will crampons be needed to reach the top. Which route do you like the best? Quote
111 Posted April 3, 2009 Posted April 3, 2009 'poons are good to have along. the snow up high can be very different from down low, regardless of the route. much crustier in the last 2k ft. Quote
Frikadeller Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 Will the road to the trail head be open by then? They don't plow it past the ski area. Quote
Maine-iac Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 The road is probably no where near open, they just let it melt out and typically opens in mid may. As for the difference between the South and North climbs... one is a cake walk and the other a serious endeavor (e.g. south side of Hood versus North side of Hood). Quote
InPlainview Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 (edited) The Bend bulletin reported that this year the road would be opening early which means before Memorial day.Sections of the road have to be plowed so Odot budgets do play a part. They have a huge snowchomper that they introduced last year on McKenzie pass (one of the latest openings ever for that road).Another possibility is Pole Creek trailhead. Usually accessible mid May. The Pruoty glacier route on the East side is good in heavy snow pack years in May/June.It has a band of rock that melts out and is dripping but even so it isn't bad. North Ridge(I'm told and I scoped it out from the bottom) is more exposed. The Prouty has a Bergshrund and smaller crevasses above. Have fun. Edited April 12, 2009 by InPlainview Quote
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