Sisters, OR - North Sister Mountain

North Sister Mountain

(CLICK IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEW)

Returning from Mnt. Thielsen Chris and I stopped in again at the infamous Tumalo packing site. Warm showers and a quiet park allowed us to sort and pack gear for our overnight into the Sisters mountains. After wrapping up we grabbed some lunch and made our way to the town of Sisters. On the way there we noticed a fairly large forest fire near the Pole Creek area. We were hoping this wouldn't prevent us from driving to the trail head and fortunately it did not. It was surprising to see how much snow had melted in just a few days as the road was easily passable all the way to the Pole Creek Springs trail head. Just days earlier we were driving the same road in a blizzard and found snow patches most of the way up to a road blockage about 1 1/4 mile from the trail head.

Once we arrived we had planned to hike in about 2-3 miles, camp and use that as a base for our next two days. But for some reason Pope (CP) was feeling the pull of a comfy bed in the Westy and so we discussed blowing off the late evening approach and just doing the North and Middle Sister in a days push. I'm always keen on fast and light and with my need to train for longer days it all sounded great to me.

We ended up snow shoeing for most of the climb and CP let me know it was his birthday while we were on route. I don't have a good memory for that stuff so I had wished he warned me earlier and I could have prepared a little better with a summit cake and candles. The day was long and to be safe we ended up hauling in on the SE Ridge since the faces were showing avalanche activity. CP was somewhat tuckered out after getting close to the N summit - the result of too many house projects and a lack of mountain projects would be my guess. Making considerations for Middle Sis he offered to let me go solo and that we could reconvene later in the day. I was thinking as good as I felt it would probably be best to stay together and that there was always next time.

The way out seemed longer than the way in and in the last 1.5 miles I left CP for the Westy as I was out of water and wanted to brew up some tea and food for us. CP arrived almost an hour behind and not looking too well. I don't recall ever seeing him this messed up and was a bit concerned. Good thing he's a fire fighter and EMT as he knew what to do and how I could help him. The trip was fun, the views were stunning and happy B-day big guy! Next time you'll be just that much better in shape for the next hill.

Enjoy the scenery!!

State Park packing zone

Snow shoeing the snow field approach

CP trucking ahead towards the SE Ridge

Steep snow plodding

Steeper snow plodding

CP following up the steeper step

A good view of the east face

Pinnacle and time to lose the snow shoes

Crunchier conditions a little higher up

Looking back at Middle & South Sister as well as Broken Top and Bachelor in the distance

Summit man or birthday boy?? ...only he knows...

North Sister sauna and rest stop - what a place to nap!

Banks Lake, WA - Northrup Canyon

Sarah and I spent a few days up in the Canadian Okanagan climbing at Skaha. Mostly single pitch cragging we were too lazy to pull out a camera and take pictures. On our return we had a bit more time and decided to make an early stop at Banks Lake for breakfast and then some climbing in Northrup Canyon. With Sarah wanting to get some more time on lead and placing gear she decided to do the SW Arete of Gibraltar rock. It is a bit grungy to start but she stuck with it and took us up in 3 pitches. Nice leads Babs!

Gibraltar Rock - SW Arete goes up the left skyline

First pitch

Second pitch - a little mossy needs more traffic

Working thru the roof

Good rock on the south side of the parking area

Government Camp, OR - Mt Hood, Ski Tour

A nice weather window opened up and so did an opportunity to break from work. Sarah and I had been talking about a ski tour and I was also keen on the idea of a winter ascent on Mt Hood. Perhaps a bit of a lofty goal given her lack of experience but one can dream...

We made it to Timberline late that evening and I parked the van beside a large service truck as a wind break. The weather was cold with strong wind gusts and the van pretty much was rocking the whole night; being blown about. At the wee hours of early morning I decided that we weren't going to summit but perhaps go to 9500' or something like that and so I went back to bed. When the sun finally broke I was greeted with a stunning blue sky view of the mountain through the front window. I woke Sarah and asked her to look at how beautiful the mountain looked? She was looking off to the side of the van and said yeah it is right there, pointing out the side window. I noticed what she was looking at and laughed my butt off, it was the image of the lodge and mountain on the side of the service truck! She had no idea it was just a picture until I turned her head to the front of the van.

The day turned out spectacular. My boots ended up way too tight, Sarah ended up way too winded and so after a few hours of skinning our way up we stopped and had lunch, took in the scenery and then made tracks down the hill.

The view from out the side window...looks like it could be the real thing?

Not quite!

The view from out the front window...now THAT'S the real thing!

Ski tour time with Mt Adams in the distance

Natures half pipe

Doesn't seem to be getting any closer

Uh oh - somebody hasn't been doing their cardio training

Hidalgo, Mexico - El Potrero Chico

It only took about 15 years to make it back to this place but it all came together when the Cartwrights, Ken, Karen and George Wiggins, Sarah and I made the pilgrimage to El Potrero. We ended up pulling down some 70 odd pitches over the time we were there even though there was cold weather, plagues and long nights playing dominoes. Sarah and I made it our first international trip together and put in a whole lot of multi-pitch climbing even with our "crack of dawn" starts.

I'm sure this sport climbing mecca will see us again but hopefully the town will have more to cater for us on the next trip.

Sarah cutting her teeth on Jungle Wall limestone

Jungle Wall from afar showing scrubbed lines

Spot the parties on the multitude of lines

Looking across from the Moto Wall towards the pinnacles

Base of Dope Ninja

El Sendero Luminiso runs up the center wall

Sarah coming up Dope Ninja

The "tricky" pitch on the Dope

Dope Ninja - route line

Summitting Black Cat Bone

Signing the summit register

Moto Wall - the scene of many multi-pitch climbs :)

Eyes down from the top of Black Cat Bone

Many P's off the deck on Jungle Warfare

The Black Cat Bone roof - so much fun!

Tie up them stinky shoes on Estralita

On Top of Snot Girlz

Higher on Estraliata - one of the few better pitches