Sisters, OR - Middle Sister, North Ridge

It was another volcano that needed climbing and I needed a solo trip to rejuvenate my spirit. So it was, back to the wonderful Three Sisters Wilderness area. This time I would come in from the Obsidian trail head and camp high enough out of the limited area so as to not require a permit. I packed just enough food and gear as to make my load light and let me travel fast. I even left my boots at home and decided on trail runners for the ascent.

After a drive from Seattle shared with some concert goers who I let out at Eugene I turned towards Sisters and McKenzie Pass to reach my trail head around 1am. I slept in Westy until about 8am and then finished packing and hit the trail passing into the Obsidian area.

Obsidian Limited Entry Zone

After a few miles of hiking I reached a higher plateau which gave me a great view of my objective Middle Sister, 10,047ft. in height and fondly referred to as Hope. Her slopes were definitely snow covered but inviting nonetheless. Pushing along I eventually reached Obsidian Falls at 5 miles and a little further the Sister Spring where I could fill up with fresh mountain water. I consulted my map and found the re-entry to the upper plateau and a camping zone where I wouldn't need a permit.

Middle Sister, Hope

Obsidian Falls

At about ~7,200 feet I reached a nice spot which suited me fine for a position to climb the following day. I was close enough to water and it seemed quiet enough from the maddening crowds.

Home Sweet Home

Vibrant Lichen around my camp

West evening view

East evening view of Hope

A good nights rest prompted an earlier rise and the casual making of breakfast and coffee. Once fed I made a quick summit pack and began my trek up the Collier glacier and headed towards the North ridge. Higher on the snow pack I put on my crampons and make quick time on the glacier. I caught a party that was ahead of me for sometime as they rested and roped up at the bottom of the steeper ridge section. Glad I had my ice axe for the given snow sections, I eased my way up the ridge and onto the final stretch to the summit; 2:12 from my tent to the summit.

Lower moraines

Mt Washington, Three Finger Jack and Mt Jefferson l-r

First light on the Collier

Standard ascent gear: long underwear, runners and crampons

My trusty partner stayed with me the whole way

Rounding the corner to see my gal

Looking up the North Ridge route

Catching the other party along the ridge

Steeper section - doesn't look it however

On the summit looking north

Self portrait

Summit shot looking south

Chambers and Camp Lakes

After descending from the mountain and making my way back down the Collier I noticed a lone climber making their way up the glacier. As we met we began to chat and I discovered she was going to head up to the saddle between North and Middle. We talked about gear and conditions and the fact that we were both on solo trips. Megan was her name and we traded a couple of photo shots under a strangely wave shaped rock. Megan asked where I was camped and I told her up around the 7000+ foot level in a permit free zone. She mentioned that maybe she would try to find my camp and come by and say 'hi' later in the afternoon.

Happy climber

My new friend Megan

After returning to camp I crashed for an obligatory nap. When I woke I began going through my food supplies and realized that I hadn't packed enough for both a dinner and a breakfast the next day. I was quite hungry so I ate what little was left save a Gu shot and some chews. I decided that it would probably be best to pack up and head out since I was low on things to eat.

I made my way back down to the spring and stopped to scoop some water. There were a couple of people sitting on some rocks with a map out slightly up stream from me. As I put my pack on I heard someone call my name, it was Megan. She came over and asked me where I was going and that she was trying to figure out where I might have been camped. I told her the details of my food situation and she graciously offered to make me dinner saying she had plenty of food. Now how could I turn that down? As the evening fell Megan didn't think it was wise for me to hike out in the dark and suggested staying one more night and making my way out the next morning. It was great to have met Megan and perhaps our paths will cross again.

Life goes in crazy circles