South Sister (NV) Snow Climb with LVMC

pics by Harlan W. S. & Henry
March 13, 2010

We used all of snowshoes, crampons and ice ax for the trip. Paul and I kicked deep steps near the top of the chute; in a few days, it is likely that much of the snow will be melted in the S-facing chute.

We took Branch Whitney’s milder route, to avoid steep slopes for snowshoes.
	Looking up at the cone of S Sister; we have to go up the chute in the middle, which averages 39 degrees at the top.
	We were lucky in that the rock for the last class 3 chute was not iced-up. We had snow above and below.	Photo courtesy of Henry the Mountain Man, who stayed below the main chute and took amazing pictures of us crossing the last ridge. This photo illustrates why I implored people not to slip!
Derek looks N; N Sister at R.	Paul negotiates the slippery snow in the wind. Mummy to E in back.	View S (Charleston in back) as Doug and Ron come over the last snowy stretch.
View N as we head off summit.	View N, N Sister to R.	A lot steeper than it looks! For a brief stretch, Ron and I chickened out and hit the rocks.
Charleston.	Phew! at the bottom of the chute, we put on snowshoes and rest.
As we descend, McFarlan (to SW) gets covered in clouds as the front moves Through.	Near the end of the trip, we see Mummy’s Forehead to NE.