Trip Report

After one sign-up had dropped out, seven climbers started for the Obsidian Trailhead. We had a delay for one to pick up crampons, but caught up with the other car later. We hiked in via Obsidian Falls, and camped not far away, near Sisters Springs. Truman & Chris had gone in earlier, so we had a total of 9 climbers.

We left camp at 6:20 a.m., with a cloudless sky. We found the snout of the Renfrew Glacier had receded somewhat from a year earlier. Using ice axes and crampons, we traveled on the snow & ice for the full length of the glacier. This was a new experience for some, who had previously taken a route on the rocks. At the head of the glacier, some of us left our packs before going on to the summit, where we arrived before 10 a.m. We could see as far as Hood very clearly, and could vaguely see Rainier. Some of us soon returned to our packs to eat a bite, then put on our crampons again and headed down. The other three had lingered on top to eat their lunch, they caught up with us at camp, where we had returned by 1:15 p.m. Two of us soaked our feet in the stream, and we all rested and ate more of our lunch before packing out via Sunshine Meadows. We were back in Eugene by 6:50 p.m.

Our congenial group of climbers made good time with a sustained slow pace, and had a very enjoyable climb in perfect climbing weather. Non-member climbers were: Jane Astle, Tom Foust and Will Kimball. Members were Chris & Truman Grandy, Tom McGuirk, Judy & Larry Smith and Norm Benton, leader.