North Sister climb NW Ridge

Activity Notes

This is my favorite route on North Sister, as much for the approach from MacKenzie Pass as the climb itself.  I think this PCT section is the most scenic trail in Oregon.  Trail is 7 miles and 2000' gain, nice and easy, total hike/climb gain 5000'.  The climb is an easy ridge scramble, plus two short low-5th sections on the 4th-class rock pitches, which are rather safe for everyone but the leader (!).  We will handle these with two fixed lines and two rappels.   No snow involved.  There is some minor unprotected exposure for a few steps at the end of the ridge, be sure you are comfortable with this.

This is a fair-weather climb, at least for summit day.  The advance permit locks us into the schedule (sadly).  The meeting location/time for the climb is the Lava Camp trailhead a mile east of McKenzie Pass, at 11AM.  (This location is not in the Mazamas database!)  Start hiking at noon.  Lunch in Sisters afterward if so inclined!  Drive time is about 4 hours from Portland.

We will camp 2 nights on the pumice flats behind Collier Cone, at the foot of the NW Ridge.  This late in the season, we may need to hunt for water to camp near.