I have been wanting to hike South Sister for several years now, the time I tried I had recently been in an accident and made it less than a mile before turning around and an glad I made that decision, I'm also glad I chose this as my first hike since it was the most difficult one! It started out moderately steep and then leveled off for a bit and then came the hard part! Climbing up and up and up and just when you think you're almost there and enjoying the lake views you have the hardest mile left… Which feels like 10! But then it's over and you reach the top…and those views… Almost make up for it… But then you have to get down the scree without falling, which I failed at miserably! But after that 1 excruciating mile… it's cake the rest of the way down! Poles are definitely recommended. (Always learning the hard way ????)