Local group trains for South Sister climb

The summit team: In the back (L-R) are Sharyn Fetrow (group leader), Dave Barry, Jessica Judy, Russ Fetrow, Darla Neiss, Cathy Ellis. Kneeling are Eloise Barry and Mimi Miller. Photo courtesy Sharyn Fetrow

We look at it with awe. Occasionally we read about one or more who have actually climbed it. We even learn of some who tried and didn't make it.

It is the South Sister, the mountain colloquially called "Faith."

A group of eight local hiker started training last week to climb that beautiful peak next September. They have placed their "faith" in Sharyn Fetrow, the multi-talented and highly experienced leader of the group.

"The plan as of now is to pick the best weather for two days between September 2 and 12," Fetrow said. "If we don't have good weather, we don't go."

More hikers may join the group as training progresses.

Depending upon the make-up of the final group, they plan to have two hiking parties: One to make the trip in two days with an overnight campout above Moraine Lake, the other to start before dawn and make it up and back in one day.

Darla Neiss sent a note back to Fetrow after the announcement of the proposed ascent of South Sisters: "I am excited and delighted to be invited to go overnight to the top of S. Sister. Yippy! I hope I can make it this year. I may be slow, but I do not quit."

Fetrow said that the first training hike on Wednesday, June 25, took the group to Rooster Rock via the Trout Creek Trail where "the rhododendrons were magnificent. All in the group made it to the summit in good time arriving at the Mountain House Restaurant by 1:30 p.m., even after spending time at the viewpoint."

She reported that they were able to see the "entire South Santiam Canyon from Iron Mountain to the Willamette Valley."

After the hike, they took the short Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail.

The Rooster Rock climb is rated as "difficult." It is a 6.6- mile round trip with 2,300 feet of elevation gain.

"This was a good training hike for the South Sister Summit (and the Inca Trail)," Fetrow said.

Those on the Rooster Rock hike were Dave and Eloise Barry, Darla Neiss, Jessica Judy, Cathy Ellis, Mimi Miller, Russ and Sharyn Fetrow.

Others who have an interest in making "the big climb," are Beverly Gaskins and Carrie Colombo, Fetrow said.

"We would welcome anyone else who might want to consider hiking South Sister in September or joining us on our training hikes which are really just a fun hike all in themselves," she said. "Please e-mail me, [email protected]"

On Friday, June 27, the group did another hike of 8.4 miles round-trip to Browder Ridge.

"This is another Old Cascades peak with south facing wildflower slopes," Fetrow said.

The elevation gain to the summit is 2,100 feet. To the view-point, an alternative to hiking all the way to the top, the elevation gain is only 1,150 feet.

Photos of these and other hikes and trips Fetrow and her husband have taken are on their web site: http://fetrow.com.

For more information on the Rooster Rock hike see William Sullivan's "100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades" Chapter l4, page 40-41. For the Browder Ridge hike see chapter 11, page 34-35.