Robert T. Rice
Troop 372
Senior Patrol Leader
July 14, 2001
Nine members of Boy Scout Troop 372 continued their plans to hike further segments of the Pacific Crest Trail.
The older, more experienced Scouts in the troop were responsible for mapping out which part of the trail they wanted to hike this summer.
The hike started on Jack Lake. The troop would then travel 1.5 miles to nearby Wasco Lake to the Pacific Crest Trail trailhead and then on to an eight mile southern trek ending at Highway 20.
The group skirted closely around the base of Three-Fingered Jack and we were able to see Smith Rock in the distance as well as the Three Sisters and numerous mountain lakes.
The estimated visibility was 40-50 miles.
It was still fairly early summer, so wildflowers were quite colorful and in full bloom. The group got to experience chapped lips, sunburns, blisters, several battalions of attack mosquitoes, snow and mild temperatures in the 70s.
Those on the seven hour trek included Travis Walker, Rolan Meyers, Randy Meyers, Ryan Fairclough, Jeff Rice, Robert Rice, Dan Rice, Jim Henson and Joel Mather.
Climbing the South Sister
By Cindy, Jeff and Robert Rice
September 1-2, 2001
Summer was quickly coming to a close, with school creeping upon us and the guys still had this urge to go climb something really big…like a mountain…the South Sister summit, no less.
We had been watching the weather pretty closely for several weeks now, and it was looking like we needed to make the attempt over Labor Day weekend, or wait until next summer.
The plan was to hike a small group of five people in and set up a base camp at Moraine Lake (2.5 miles), rest overnight and then try to reach the summit of the South Sister the following day. Much time was spent in selecting the route we would be using to reach the summit, what gear we would need to take, and preparing ourselves for the rigorous climb.
Although the route we had chosen was not a technical climb, it would still be a difficult one. Those going on the trip were Robert Rice, Jeff Rice, Joel Mather, Cindy Rice and Jim Henson.
We left Sweet Home bright and early on Saturday morning and drove over to leave the vehicle parked in the Devil’s Lake Campground parking lot. We ate a quick picnic lunch before hitting the trail at 1 p.m. with each of us carrying back packs weighing 42-50 pounds.
At the Three Sisters Wilderness Area trailhead, the South Sister was barely visible, except at the bottom slopes and the top was totally enveloped in a dense bank of clouds. We met several groups on their way out to the trail head. Hearing their reports of 50 mph winds on the summit which created a wind chill factor dipping into the teens, as well as the possibility of snow down to 8,000 feet elevation wasn’t exactly encouraging to us all.
We resolved to set up base camp near Moraine Lake, get our gear in order and decide in the morning to see if it was still going to be possible for us to make the climb. We cooked dinner on the back packing stoves and then went back to the lake to filter water for the summit hike.
Sunday, September 2, daybreak: The morning is clear and cold, not a cloud anywhere in sight. The group is up and has had breakfasted of oatmeal, bagels and hot cocoa. Everyone in our group has layered their clothing and each of us sports a flaming orange stocking hat. A last minute check of our gear, hunting out extra socks, sunscreen, water and the camera have us scurrying to set out for the summit at 8 a.m. Our destination to the summit will take us up to an elevation of 10,383 feet. Distance from our campsite is estimated at 3 mile and each step is up!
The air gets noticeably thinner as we continue up the slopes of the South Sister and our short rest breaks seem closer as we climb in elevation. We see a few brave purple asters scattered sporadically along the trail. At Rainbow Lake, we stop for a rest break and snack and we are immediately surrounded by hopeful chipmunks, looking for a hand-out. When none materializes, they quickly change their loyalties to a more promising group of hikers.
About two hours into the climb, the wind began to kick up a bit and as we got nearer to the summit, gusts are reaching an estimated 40-50 mph. We were pelted unmercifully with red-cinder gravel and dust, but keep climbing. Up ahead we see people descending on the trail and we are greatly encouraged to continue to the top. The sight of several red cinder rock shelters protecting hikers from the blasting wind indicates that we are almost to our destination.
Off to the side is a fairly large glacier with crevasses etched deeply into the ice sheet. Our climb has taken us four hours to reach the summit. On our hike up to the summit, imagine our surprise upon discovering some of our Sweet Home friends also hiking the trail. It seems that Keith Cantrell and his sons were hiking to the summit on the same day as our group.
Looking out the panoramic mountains, we are able to see between 100 and 120 miles away. Mount Hood is in the distance, Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington, Broken Top and lakes dotted everywhere. Jewel-bright, teal-colored glacial lakes ripple in the wind below us as we gaze downward off the summit. It truly seemed like you could see forever.
After a short rest break and snack, it was time to head back down. Thankfully, it did not take nearly as long going down as it has coming up. We made it back to the base camp in just over two hours and then immediately sorted out our gear and loaded up our backpacks again for the return trip out to the trailhead. By the time we reached the trailhead, our packs weighed nearly a ton each.
Everyone was weary but satisfied with the thought that they indeed did make it to the very top of that mountain in the distance and a real sense of personal accomplishment was shared by all. It truly was an awesome and unforgettable adventure for each of us.
Give us a couple weeks and we’ll be ready to go again.