July 3, 2003, South Sister

Well, I couldn't find any beta about conditions in Oregon, so I decided to find out myself.  After a rest day in Bend, playing disc golf, watching the "Italian Job" and drinking Mirror Pond at Deschutes Brewery, I began my climb at 4AM.  There was ample snow in the ephemeral drainage below the buttes, but I carried my skis the entire way.  It was warm for the entire hike unlike Mt. Adams.  A strong wind on the ridge blew volcanic dust in my ears, nose, and eyes.  On the summit, I caught incredible views of the range and wished I could have skiied the north side of S. Sister. The corn looked so silky smooth that it was like butter.  One could have skiied all the way to the flats.  The south side was good, though with smooth fields of snow, which I linked by skiing rock and dirt patches.  I even skiied 1/2 down the drainage, though the pollen made it quite slow going.  In all, a great peak and ski.