South Sister in the Oregon Cascades. A fantastic hike and scramble with breathtaking majestic mountain views.The South Sister, also known as Charity, is Oregon's third highest mountain. The hike to the top is very difficult, but there is a trail that goes all the way to the top and can be done without any technical mountain climbing gear. Although on this Sunday in late June 2016, everyone I saw (39 people total) needed some kind of traction device in the steep snowfields, to keep them from sliding to their death! I had shoe chains, crampons would have been better. One group turned back due to improper footwear. They had tennis shoes. This climb deserves more respect than it gets. There have been many incidents over the years on this mountain including fatalities from falls.
The hike can be done in a day, and usually takes between 7 and 10 hours round trip. The hike to the top is about 6 and a quarter miles long (12 round trip) with a 4900 feet elevation gain. I started my hike on a recent Sunday at 7:00 AM and returned at 5:00 PM, 10 hours total. This was my 4th time on the Summit. My goal is to summit again in late September to see the changes in the hiking and scenery. My wife Shannon and our niece Savannah summited in 2014. It was an epic hike for both of them. Savannah got her finger smashed by a rock and had the skin peeled back. It was pretty bad, luckily some fellow hikers had first aid and helped her hike out as well.
The mountain itself is a volcano that is around 50,000 years old and last erupted 2000 years ago.
As you hike you will pass Moraine Lake, and the Lewis and Clark glaciers. At the top of the South Sisters, you will find Oregon's highest lake Teardrop Pool.
The Three Sisters are often grouped together and seen as one unit, the three mountains evolved under differing geologic situations, and the petrologic composition of each mountain can vary significantly. Whereas North Sister is extinct and Middle Sister is dormant, South Sister last erupted about 2,000 years ago and still could erupt, threatening life within the region. After satellite imagery detected tectonic uplifting near South Sister in 2000, the United States Geological Survey made plans to improve monitoring in the immediate area. 
Known as Faith, Hope, and Charity. Faith is North Sister, Hope is Middle Sister, and Charity is South Sister. Shannon on top in 2014, myself in late June 2016.
Although I consider myself to be in the best physical shape I've been in in over 30 years, I still found this to be a challenging semi-strenuous hike. My goal is to attempt this summit every year for the rest of my life. There is so much here in Central Oregon to see and do that my personal bucket list is overflowing. I hope yours is too.
Joey Michael Hodgson is a Fire Lookout, firefighter, kayaker, chainsaw carver, writer, and musician. Check out his blog @onthelookout@blogger.com and current music @ https://www.reverbnation.com/thelookoutsband
Facebook group page @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onthelookout/
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