Climbing Middle Sister

View of Middle Sister from the D. Wright Observatory

We did this about a month ago, but it is definitely worth posting late.

September 20, 2009 we summited the middle of the Three Sister Mountains, near Bend, Oregon. Elevation of 10,047. For Joey and I this was our third attempt.

The first attempt we had a long ways to hike in because the road that provided the most direct approach was closed. We hiked in Friday night, and basically hiked continuously the whole weekend, totally about 30 miles. We were about an hour or two from the summit, but because it was getting late we as a group, we went with two other people, decided to turn back so as not to descend in the dark.

The second attempt was Labor Day. It was just Joey and I. We took started at the Obsidian Trail head. We had a good time, despite the weather - rain and wind. Camped at about 5000 feet. When Sunday morning we awoke to snow, and more bad weather so decided to turn back, vowing that we would be back.

The third attempt was the successful one. The weather was decent, only a small amount of rain. It was even warm enough we found a small lake and went swimming. It was Joey and I, and Joey's father, John.

Here are some pictures:

Dinner at Base Camp

One of the stunning views while climbing

Nearing the Top. If you look closely you can see John on the trail below the glacier.

Hiking on a glacier

Pictures from the Summit

I will go ahead and be honest. This was really hard. I hated it while I was doing it. But there is something to be said about doing what you view as nearly impossible for you. More than the physical, it really pushes your mental limits. In order to make it to the top I had to shut my brain off. I used all my energy getting to the top. The problem with that is that the summit is only the halfway point. It takes a lot of mental strength to continue, even when you don't want to. Now that it is all over with, I am very glad that I did this. I encourage everyone to try something you think is impossible. It is a very powerful experience. Like us, it took three tries to summit. Its not always about whether or not you succeed, but what you learn along the way, and that you keep trying.