Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
So a couple of weeks ago I decided to join the exodus from CB, throwing all my worldly possessions in a 4x5 storage unit and leaving without a goodbye. Enough with the elitism, rednecks, and ski town ethnocentrics. The place is beautiful, but it just wasn't worth the price to me anymore. After a dozen years in the valley I needed a change of venue. A good friend of mine has been working as a climbing ranger on Mount Shasta for several years now, and we often exchanged the virtues of either or. I decided it was finally time to take his offer, and although I can't say I will never look back, I have been having a great time with some new friends out here.
Mount Shasta, from Castle Crags
Mount Shasta is one of the largest strato volcanoes in the Cascades. Driving in from the south through the Lassen National Forrest it dominated the view fifty miles off like a giant pearl. The snow was still so white, and still looked great for riding!
From Bunny Flats, 6,900 ft, Nick, Hannie, Forrest, and I skinned up the standard route into Avalanche Gulch for a high camp at lake Hellen, 10,400 ft, spending the rest of the afternoon cowering from the sun at the ranger's tent, slathering on the sunscreen and improvising for shade. The long and spectacular sunset over the Eddy and Trinity Range was worth the stay. I bivied out on the snow, watching the full moon rise over the ridge.
The Shasta Shadow
We started out from camp about six, with axes and crampons on a well established booter catching several guided parties. In the previous week there had been several injuries to climbers due to the constantly shedding rime ice and rockfall from the loose volcanic conglomerate of the Red Banks lining the rim of Avalanche Gulch. We stayed to the right side to stay out of the most likely path. The ridge was farther than it looked, another 2,000 ft from camp at least. Then short hill, then misery hill, and finally the long flat football field to the summit pinnacles. The pungent smell of sulpher lingered at the base of the summit pitch, and everything was heavily crusted over with rime ice.
I spent a lot of time chatting it up with folks along the way. Forrest had already left for a call down the mountain when I finally reached the top, and Nick and Hannie decided to ski around the east side back to the football field. I signed the register, took some pictures for a group from Iran, and clipped in on the spot to pick my way down the rough rime ice through a slot off the summit.
We rode back across the football field and down skiers right on Misery Hill to the top of the Trinity Chutes. I was warned about the notoriously icy conditions in these chutes, so we were surprised to find them in nearly perfect condition for shredding. A few inches of nice corn, that got better with every turn. They went at about 45 degrees. A sustained drop that went on and on.
We packed up at the lake, and continued down for more great turns down the Gulch to the Bunny Flats. 7,300 ft of riding!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Enjoy N. Cal. Plenty of great ski, climb, kayak, hike, camp and other activitiesto be had out there.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
At least we hope you‘ll be back
