Nine Chemeketans (including four post Covid climb school grads) met on the recently opened Cascade Lakes highway near Devils Lake for two days of snowy backpacking up to a camp at 7000 feet and a snow climb of the South Sister. The activity was geared for teaching and refreshing basic snow camp/climb skills.
Undoubtedly many Chemeketans have hiked to the summit from Devils Lake on the trail. We did not see any of the trail due to the snow, which was the point. We left the "trailhead" just past 1 pm and were looking for suitable housing sites at 7000' a little after 4 pm. There is essentially no running water above the trailhead.
We held a tour of homes ("street of dreams ") after dinner in order to share tips as well as downsides of different kinds of 4season camping. Lucky for us the water content of the snow was high so melting snow for sufficient water wasn't too awfully time consuming.
After overnighting under clear skies we climbed in perfect weather from about 7am until 1130 am enjoying nice breaks, stories, general conversation and excellent views to the south, east, and west along the way to the summit. 4 of the group had never before stood atop South Sister in snow and for several it was just their second or third climb using crampons. The summit panorama and views north were spectacular (which is of course why we do this after all). We returned to camp, packed up and were at our cars before 5 pm, including on our way a photo shoot for a Haribo advertisement. (see photos)
One aside: on our way down from the summit one of us spotted and retrieved a snowshoe which another of our climbers had heard online was missing - this teamwork definitely made for a better day for somebody we didn't even know!
Thanks to a very friendly, sharing, patient, interesting, and just plain fun group of people. Members Gregory Adelman, Linda Bedard, Theresa Conley, John Mandrafina, Laurie Muhlbauer, Scott Phillips, Kaitlin Sommerfeld, Assistant Leader Cathy Lazarus, Leader Ellen Gradison.
Other Photos may be found here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dWeyXmQDD4eAw1zV6
from the summit looking north
view upon reaching plateau
our ex-president advertising Haribo
