Mountaineering with the Obsidians
The Obsidians sponsor climbs of most major peaks in the Oregon Cascades
during each climbing season. Climbs are scheduled for Washington and
California peaks less often, but there are several such climbs on the schedule every year.
Climbs vary in difficulty from ‘walk-ups’ to technical rock and snow climbs.
Even the easier climbs are still strenuous experiences, often with ascents
of several thousand feet on summit day. Persons signing up for climbs must be in good
physical condition and be prepared to carry group gear such as ropes or pickets in addition
to their own personal climbing and camping gear. Most climbs require two days or longer.
The Obsidians is not a guide service. Participants are expected to have at
least basic mountaineering skills, and you may be asked to describe your climbing experience
before being allowed on some climbs. Participation in most climbs is limited to those who
have completed the Basic Mountaineering class (either the one offered by the Obsidians, or
an equivalent course offered by another organization).
The party size on climbs is also limited. Wilderness area restrictions limit
the party size to no more than twelve, and many leaders choose to limit the numbers to less
than twelve, depending on the route difficulty and other factors.
To sign up for a climb, you must sign up
through the on-line sign-up process (access through this link).
Climbs are generally posted about a month before their scheduled dates.
The current climbing chairperson is Brian Hamilton. Contact us by emailing climbs@obsidians.org
Climbs Schedule
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May
Mt Hood
June
S Sister
Mt Hood
Mt Thielsen, Graduation c
S Sister, Prouty Glacier
July
Mt Washington, Graduation
Glacier Pk
Mt Adams
N Sister
August
Three Fingered Jack
Mt Jefferson
Mt Washington
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Climb—Mt. Hood—Saturday–Sunday, May 25–26, 2013
Leader: Danneille Harris
Plan is to take a single 4 person rope team with just folks who are well prepared as this will be my 1st lead of this route (standard South side/Old Chute, I have climbed this route just not lead it). 12-12:30 am start from Timberline. Be prepared for icy conditions, cold, wind, rain, and hot weather. If you plan to arrive early to get sleep at the parking lot before the climb, bring sleeping bag & pad, and ear plugs.
Climb—South Sister - Climb/Ski—Saturday, June 1, 2013
Leader: Sue Sullivan
The actual date of this trip may change depending on the opening of the Cascade Lakes Highway and access to the south side of South Sister. The plan is to carry skis or skin up and climb South Sister from the Devils Lake trailhead, then ski back to the trailhead. In good conditions this is one of the nicest ski mountaineering experiences in Oregon. You must be an experienced backcountry skier to participate.
Climb—Mt. Hood—Sunday, June 2, 2013
Leader: Brian Hamilton
South Side/Hogsback route, beginning early in the wee hours of the morning. If there are lots of other climbers, we may take the West Crater Route to the Old Chute.
Climb—Mt. Thielsen, Graduation climb—Saturday, June 8, 2013
Leader: Sue Sullivan
This is a graduation climb for the participants in the Basic Mountaineering class, so they will have first priority for spots on this trip. Mt Thielsen is near Diamond Lake, and is an enjoyable scramble with some easy rock climbing at the summit.
Climb—South Sister, Prouty Glacier—Saturday–Sunday, June 15–16, 2013
Leader: Wayne Deeter
We will hike the Fall Creek Tr to Green Lakes where we will camp Sat night. We will climb South Sister Sun. morning via the Prouty Glacier, then return to camp via the Green Lakes climbers tr.
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Climb School
Note: The Basic Mountaineering class for 2013 is
completed.
Each spring we offer a course in Basic Mountaineering to enable people to get
the skills needed to participate safely on climbs in alpine environments.
A course description is given in this link:
Basic Mountaineering Course Description.pdf, and
a poster by this link: 2013 climb school flyer.pdf.
The course consists of two class sessions, a rock skills field session
and a snow skills field session. The class is limited to 20 participants. You must be 16 or
older to participate. Those between 13 and 16 may participate if accompanied by a parent or
responsible adult who is also enrolled in the course.
Note: Sign-up for the Basic Mountaineering class is not through the on-line
sign-up process; contact climbs@obsidians.org
to obtain application materials.
Climbing awards
The Obsidians have three climbing awards offered to members:
The Three Peaks Award is presented to members who have successfully
reached the summit of all three Sisters on scheduled Obsidian climbs.
The Ten Peaks Award is presented to members who have reached the
summits on Obsidian climbs of the ten major Oregon peaks: Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson,
the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Mt. McLoughlin, Mt. Thielsen, and
Diamond Peak.
The Ten Peaks Leader Award is presented to Obsidian members who have
led climbs of all Ten Major Peaks listed above.
Archived climb schedules
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
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