{"id":2908,"date":"2015-09-15T20:48:04","date_gmt":"2015-09-16T04:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/?p=2908"},"modified":"2015-11-26T08:55:56","modified_gmt":"2015-11-26T16:55:56","slug":"96-972015-south-sister-climb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/2015\/09\/96-972015-south-sister-climb\/","title":{"rendered":"9\/6 &#8211; 9\/7\/2015 &#8211; South Sister Climb"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><div class=\"rw-trip-info\"><table style=\"border:none;margin:0;padding:0;\"><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Date<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">9\/6\/2015 - 9\/7\/2015<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Location \/ Trail<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">South Sister Summit Trail<tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Weather<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">Sunny<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Hiking Buddies<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">Kirk, Sarah and Daniel<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"rti-label\">Distance \/ Elev<\/td><td class=\"rti-value\">13.1 miles &nbsp;&nbsp; 5200 ft elevation<\/td><\/tr><\/table><\/div><div class=\"noPDF\" style=\"margin-left:30px; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:10px;\"><a style=\"color: #ffffff; background-color: #2D6A2E; padding: 15px 30px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 30px; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.2), rgba(0,0,0,0.25)); display: inline-block; margin-right: 12px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#128247; Pictures<\/a><a style=\"color: #ffffff; background-color: #2D6A2E; padding: 15px 30px; text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; border-radius: 30px; background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.2), rgba(0,0,0,0.25)); display: inline-block; margin-right: 12px; margin-bottom: 8px;\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/MapViewer.html?q=https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/hikemaps\/GPSTracks\/2015\/SouthSister20150907.gpx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#128506; Open Map Full Screen<\/a><\/div><div class=\"noPDF\"><div class=\"g4MapIframe\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-content\/plugins\/rhd-functions\/map\/MapAndElevationProfile.html?q=2015\/SouthSister20150907.gpx&#038;p=2015\/South-Sister&#038;sep=&#038;v=1793560828\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-content\/plugins\/rhd-functions\/map\/MapAndElevationProfile.html?q=2015\/SouthSister20150907.gpx&#038;p=2015\/South-Sister&#038;sep=&#038;v=1793560828\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><div class=\"rw-pad20 g4MapImage\"><br\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"g4MapImage\" src=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/mapImages\/g4map2908.png\" class=\"g4MapImage\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"rwTRH\">Description of Hike:<\/div>\n<div class=\"rw-pad20\">\nKirk invited me on this hike &#8211; it was to be a rather quick overnight trip to go up to the top of South Sister.  I had not been there before, so it sounded interesting.  The idea was to leave Sunday afternoon, hike into Moraine Lake, camp the night and get up early on Labor day to climb to the top.  Then return back down and head back to the car and home.  It worked out a little different than the plan.<\/p>\n<p>We ended up leaving quite a bit later than we planned &#8211; something like 2:30pm.  That put us at the trailhead around 6:30-6:45.  The days are getting shorter now, so we were kind of racing the sun to get to the lake before it got dark.<br \/>\nOur view of Broken Top on the way into Moraine Lake:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10959\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10959\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150906_194656-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150906_194656-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150906_194656-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150906_194656-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150906_194656-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Broken top on the way to Moraine Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe barely made it to Moraine lake before it got dark, but then we had to find the &#8220;posts&#8221; where the designated campsites are.  Fortunately, Kirk had been here before and had some idea where they were.  After a bit of searching, he found one, and we setup camp in the dark, followed by cooking dinner in the dark.  We then went to bed &#8211; the goal was to start off relatively early to beat the crowds.  I have to say, it was kind of a strange experience wandering around in the dark woods looking for a post.<\/p>\n<p>We got up (mostly) with the sun, ate breakfast and broke down our camp.  We hiked over to meet the climbers trail and stashed our packs in the trees for the day.  We then headed up the 5+ miles to the top of South Sister.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a view of Moraine Lake with our objective (South Sister) in the background:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10963\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10963\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_082834-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_082834-thumb.webp 225w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_082834-medium.webp 563w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_082834-large.webp 1125w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_082834-xlarge.webp 1688w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Moraine Lake with South Sister in the background\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe trail at the start is like small road &#8211; nothing like I&#8217;m used to hiking &#8211; and South Sister is always in view to the north:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10964\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10964\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_090705-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_090705-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_090705-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_090705-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_090705-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"On our way to the top of South Sister - The trail is like a road!!!\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe made our way up &#8211; the trail isn&#8217;t too steep at this point, although the air continues to get thinner and the soil is pretty loose in places.  After a couple of hours, and a few rest stops, we made it to this lake below the Lewis glacier:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10970\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10970\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_104623-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_104623-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_104623-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_104623-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_104623-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"You can see hikers up on the ridge - that is where we are going\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nKirk filled up with some water, we rested a bit and then started the hardest part of the climb.  You can see the route in the picture above &#8211; we go to the left on the ridge and work our way up.  It seems like it continues to get steeper.  And there were a lot of people on the mountain this day:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10974\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10974\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_115824_001-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_115824_001-thumb.webp 225w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_115824_001-medium.webp 562w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_115824_001-large.webp 1123w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_115824_001-xlarge.webp 1685w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"562\" height=\"1000\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Up, up and more up!  It is kind of a freeway - lots of hikers\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nMost of the way up, we got a good view of this interesting formation &#8211; not sure what it is, but I found it very intriguing:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10978\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10978\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121138-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121138-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121138-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121138-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121138-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"I was intrigued by this interesting &quot;cornice&quot; of rock at the top of the mountain\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAfter numerous rest breaks, we finally made it to the crater rim where we had lunch &#8211; a view from the crater rim:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10973\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10973\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121123-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121123-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121123-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121123-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121123-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Looking back down at Lewis glacier and Moraine Lake (way down below) - from the top of the trail\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThis was where all the hard work made it all worth it.  The views were spectacular:<\/p>\n<p>Broken Top:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10976\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10976\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121133-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121133-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121133-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121133-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_121133-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Broken top\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe snow in the crater at the top &#8211; looking across to the true summit:<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10979\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10979\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_124425-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_124425-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_124425-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_124425-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_124425-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"The snow filled crater at the top of South Sister\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe best view from below the true summit &#8211; looking north to Middle and North Sister, 3 Finger Jack, Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood in the distance.<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10981\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10981\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_132307-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_132307-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_132307-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_132307-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_132307-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"Middle and North Sister, 3 finger jack, Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood way in the distance\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe mostly walked around the crater rim, although we bypassed the jagged SW part and ended up walking thru the crater.  This is where the Teardrop pool would be most years &#8211; I guess the lack of snow this year dried it up.<br \/>\n<a class=\"rhdg-photo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/photos\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister\/#p10991\" data-rhdg-post=\"2908\" data-rhdg-media=\"10991\"><img class=\"rhdg-photo rw-pad20 rwphoto\" src=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_134227-medium.webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_134227-thumb.webp 400w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_134227-medium.webp 1000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_134227-large.webp 2000w, https:\/\/media.robshikingdiary.com\/hikes\/2015\/south-sister-g7b4sfku66gdb0d7\/20150907_134227-xlarge.webp 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" style=\"max-height:672px;width:auto;height:auto\" alt=\"This is where Teardrop pool would be in a normal year\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nAfter exploring around the top of the mountain for a while, we started our way back down, which was almost as hard as going up since the ground is so loose.  You have to watch your footing going down.  We made pretty good time down the hill, stopping a few times to rest and drink some water.  We found our packs we had stashed in the trees and got back to the van about 5:30.  We stopped in Bend for dinner and then headed home.<br \/>\nIt was a quick trip but a really good one &#8211; interesting.  Now I can say I have climbed a &#8220;glaciated peak&#8221; &#8211; I guess I can join the Mazamas!\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Template for creating a trip report<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5],"tags":[26,19,23,30],"class_list":["post-2908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tripreport","category-tripreport2015","tag-fourstars","tag-backpacking","tag-epic","tag-kirk"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2908"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2908\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2908"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robshikingdiary.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}