Hi...I am planning to Trek Avalanche Gulch in coming weeks.
I haven't explored Mt. Shasta so far.
This will be my first time.
Want to know - What is a good spot to camp out in the night.
I prefer a relatively safe place where (Snakes and all are away).
Appreciate your help on this.

-Tapas

tguha/Tapas: I'm also looking to solo shasta in the coming weeks, though preferably by a glaciated route. If I can find a partner, I'd rather do it with a partner. Do you have any glacier experience, and would you be interested in teaming up and taking a glaciated route?

The only safe place I know on Shasta is the summit itself because it is covered with blue ice, but not sure if you would be able to make it in a day with a full backpack. The only creatures you can find there are humans, but they usually don’t bite; however, you can never be sure.

clmbr wrote:The only safe place I know on Shasta is the summit itself because it is covered with blue ice, but not sure if you would be able to make it in a day with a full backpack. The only creatures you can find there are humans, but they usually don’t bite; however, you can never be sure.

Good humour...Leaving that behind...Yes my intention to climb using the full laod. The question is at what point i should camp out in the night.
A nice flat botton with clean place. What I am trying to find out is - Which point majority population goes out and camp out in the night. I am assuming if there is a popular place to lay down in the night, would relatively friendlier than a rugged terrain.

sfgfan10 wrote:tguha/Tapas: I'm also looking to solo shasta in the coming weeks, though preferably by a glaciated route. If I can find a partner, I'd rather do it with a partner. Do you have any glacier experience, and would you be interested in teaming up and taking a glaciated route?

I am definitely interested in teaming up.
I dont have glacier experience in Shasta . I do have a very little glacier experience in Switzerland once.
I dont mind unless it is too risky.

But I would like to carry out my full load and get a overnight experience. I am desperately looking for that.
I have started my training in gym for getting into the - carrying load and climbing.

-Tapas

http://www.summitpost.org/avalanche-gulch/155406

Search feature is on the upper right part of page.

MoapaPk wrote:http://www.summitpost.org/avalanche-gulch/155406

Search feature is on the upper right part of page.

Wonderful...This is the exact information what i was looking for.

Thanks

If by "treking" you just want to hike up to a nice place to camp and enjoy the beauty of the mountain, then Horse Camp is your best bet, since the trail to that spot is obvious, the camping spots are relatively protected, and this time of year there is excellent clean water available at the spring, and a composting toilet. Lake Helen is the next popular spot, though somewhat exposed to wind, and if snow levels are low (as I gather they are now) you will be camping among volcanic rocks and sand and wind-blown pumice will find its way into all your gear. If you don't have a solid, well anchored tent (preferably protected by a wind-wall of rock or snow) it can easily be torn apart or blown off the mountain in the wind. There are no facilities here (you'll need to pack a WAG bag) and any water will be from snow runoff and/or melting snow. As noted on the route page you'll also need to have a summit permit to reach Lake Helen or any other point above 10K'.

If you're planning to summit then most people who are overnighting start from one of these spots, and ascend to the summit with a day pack and retrieve their campsite on the way down. If you go light and start early enough, you can do the mountain in a day from Bunny Flat. As the SP route description notes this route requires basic snow climbing skills and gear even in summer so you should be prepared for that if you are going for the summit.

Tapas,

If you are for real, than disregard my joke. However, next time spend a few minutes to research your route and you would not even have to ask this kind of a question.

I just did not buy (even as sarcasm), "I prefer a relatively safe place where (Snakes and all are away). "

Anyway, JHH60 is absolutely right.

JHH60 wrote:If by "treking" you just want to hike up to a nice place to camp and enjoy the beauty of the mountain, then Horse Camp is your best bet, since the trail to that spot is obvious, the camping spots are relatively protected, and this time of year there is excellent clean water available at the spring, and a composting toilet. Lake Helen is the next popular spot, though somewhat exposed to wind, and if snow levels are low (as I gather they are now) you will be camping among volcanic rocks and sand and wind-blown pumice will find its way into all your gear. If you don't have a solid, well anchored tent (preferably protected by a wind-wall of rock or snow) it can easily be torn apart or blown off the mountain in the wind. There are no facilities here (you'll need to pack a WAG bag) and any water will be from snow runoff and/or melting snow. As noted on the route page you'll also need to have a summit permit to reach Lake Helen or any other point above 10K'.

If you're planning to summit then most people who are overnighting start from one of these spots, and ascend to the summit with a day pack and retrieve their campsite on the way down. If you go light and start early enough, you can do the mountain in a day from Bunny Flat. As the SP route description notes this route requires basic snow climbing skills and gear even in summer so you should be prepared for that if you are going for the summit.

Excellent info - I was looking for these information since i am not sure what to expect.