Belaying and Bandaging: South Sister, March 22-23 Cancelled

THIS TRIP IS CANCELLED TODAY (3/17). AFTER A CALL TO THE RANGER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONDITIONS WILL BE TOO SOFT FOR AN APPROACH OF THIS DISTANCE. I'VE SET A CONDITIONING HIKE FOR TABLE MOUNTAIN ON SATURDAY, MARCH 22 AS AN ALTERNATE.

Easter sunrise service on the summit of South Sister? With the road to Mt St Helens under snow I've schedule a South Sister climb for the March 22-23 weekend. (Thank you to Keith Hill for being the leader assist on this.) I'll monitor the weather and make a go or no-go call no later than Thursday evening. I'll be checking in with everyone by phone on Tuesday evening, March 18th to see where we are at with carpooling and tent/stove sharing.

Climbers:

Mike Niemeyer (leader) 503-910-9726
Keith Hill (leader assist)
Linda Bedard (climb assistant)
Matt Tryon
Rebecca Tryon
Jeff Howell

Schedule & Route: Leave Salem State Motorpool Lot at 7 am Saturday, March 22 and drive to the town Sisters for restroom and transfat infusion at local Bakery. We will park at Dutchman Flat (about 6400 ft) along hwy 46 (near Mt Bachelor about 150 miles and 3 hrs from Salem) and snowshoe/hike the road to just above Moraine lake where we will snow camp at about 6900 ft (or possibly higher depending on conditions.) Sunday we will have an alpine start and head up the South side of S. Sister for the 10,358 ft summit and return to break camp and slog to the cars. We will stop in the town of Sisters for a meal on the way home. This is strenuous winter climb involving a 5,758 ft elevation gain and 22 miles of travel on snow (round trip.)

Participant responsibility: It is each participant's responsibility to be in good physical shape and have the skills and equipment (see below) to participate safely in this climb. A club release will be circulated at the trailhead for each participant to sign.

Required personal equipment: Ten or so essentials (map, compass, GPS if you have one, food, water, first aid, whistle, sunscreen, matches, fire starter, headlamp with extra batteries, emergency blanket or plastic mattress bag, knife.)

Glacier glasses or wrap around sun glasses
2 liters water
Food – one breakfast, one dinner, two lunches, snacks
Stove, fuel and cookset (with extra fuel for melting water)
Waterproof jacket and pants
Layered clothing (no cotton), extra socks
Gloves, mittens, over mitts if you have them, wool or fleece cap and balaclava
Sit Pad
Trekking Poles (recommended)
Snowshoes
4 Season Tent/Snow anchors
Snow Shovel (one per tent)
Sleeping pad (Full length)
Sleeping bag rated 20 degrees or below
Warm, insulated waterproof boots or plastic boots
Crampons that fit your boots (that you have fitted ahead of time)
Gaiters
Ice Axe
Helmet

Emergencies: In addition to the personal gear (above) the leader will be carrying a SPOT satellite rescue beacon, GPS and cell phone (503-910-9726.) I will also be sending occasional satellite "check-in" messages to this blog during the trip. In the event of an emergency, I will send out a 911 signal from this device. We will be mostly in the Deschutes National Forest within Deschutes County. In case of an accident, call 911, or notify the Deschutes County Sheriff, 541-388-6502 (Search and Rescue). Use this second number if the party is overdue by 24 hours.

Local Emergency Contacts: If the party is overdue my local (Salem area) contact is Jackie Niemeyer 503-930-8782. She will communicate with the participant's families in the event of an accident.

Additional Information: Trail Conditions and Winter Conditions