Post by Limberjim on Jun 1, 2016 17:19:27 GMT -9
We did a traverse from the last turbine on Pillar to the foot of the North Sister.
Entering into the bowl we would use to climb 2405.
Looking back towards Pillar
The climb to the saddle was covered in snow. An axe and crampons were needed to get safely to the top. We roped off, but it was more of a demonstration to my partner. The last 15 feet was corniced and nearly vertical, but the snow was soft so you could easily kick steps in. It wasn't a high consequence climb, the worst would be a big slide down the snow field.
On top of 2405 looking towards Anton
On top of 2405 looking towards Pillar.
On top of 2405 looking towards Monashka, we followed this ridge out.
Ran into some goats
We tried to cut below the goats, but it didn't work. We did get a good view back into the bowl.
We followed this ridge up to the top of the South Sister. At some point the goats disappeared. The climb up this ridge gets really steep and exposed towards the top. I think the more difficult parts would be considered class 3. Its not an extremely technical climb, but a fall would be really bad if not fatal. We were pushing it with remaining daylight, so my biggest fear was getting gassed and making a stupid mistake. This was the only section of the route that I was uncomfortable.
![]()
![]()
Looking at the North Sister after dropping down from the South Sister
It got dark and we were exhausted, so we skipped the climb up the middle Sister and side hilled for the North Sister. Below is from the backside of the Middle Sister looking at the S. Sister.
We went over the saddle between the North and Middle sister, and bushwhacked to the road in the dark. It was about 7 miles, 6 hours. We saw a bear, but it was too far off for a photo. Philip - thanks for the beta on the approach to 2405.
Entering into the bowl we would use to climb 2405.
Looking back towards Pillar
The climb to the saddle was covered in snow. An axe and crampons were needed to get safely to the top. We roped off, but it was more of a demonstration to my partner. The last 15 feet was corniced and nearly vertical, but the snow was soft so you could easily kick steps in. It wasn't a high consequence climb, the worst would be a big slide down the snow field.
On top of 2405 looking towards Anton
On top of 2405 looking towards Pillar.
On top of 2405 looking towards Monashka, we followed this ridge out.
Ran into some goats
We tried to cut below the goats, but it didn't work. We did get a good view back into the bowl.
We followed this ridge up to the top of the South Sister. At some point the goats disappeared. The climb up this ridge gets really steep and exposed towards the top. I think the more difficult parts would be considered class 3. Its not an extremely technical climb, but a fall would be really bad if not fatal. We were pushing it with remaining daylight, so my biggest fear was getting gassed and making a stupid mistake. This was the only section of the route that I was uncomfortable.
Looking at the North Sister after dropping down from the South Sister
It got dark and we were exhausted, so we skipped the climb up the middle Sister and side hilled for the North Sister. Below is from the backside of the Middle Sister looking at the S. Sister.
We went over the saddle between the North and Middle sister, and bushwhacked to the road in the dark. It was about 7 miles, 6 hours. We saw a bear, but it was too far off for a photo. Philip - thanks for the beta on the approach to 2405.
