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Casaval vs. HBR: best route for mid-April

PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:16 am
by deungsan
Hoping to try a new route (for me) on Shasta in mid-April. Which would be better, Casaval Ridge or Hotlum-Bolam Ridge?

What are the chances that the HBR trailhead will even be open?

Thanks. [/code]

PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:24 am
by ScottyP
My plan is Casaval. I don't think the north wil be assesable, Scott

PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:29 am
by Darren9
The trailhead for the HB ridge doesn't open until at least mid May. Casaval is the one to do this time of year.

PostPosted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 3:34 pm
by rhyang
Technically speaking you could do Hotlum-Bolam Ridge in April, but the road to Northgate trailhead is not plowed and the approach would be much longer.

Casaval would theoretically be safer from avalanche risk too. The name of HBR is kind of deceptive -- the route really isn't a ridge, per se .. it's just that most anything on the north side which is not a glacier is called a "ridge" :)

PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:01 am
by deungsan
Great info. Thanks everyone.

Follow-up question:

During the same mid- April time frame, would the Green Butte Route be viable/safe?

At least it starts from a trailhead you can drive to...

Thanks again.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 2:48 pm
by rhyang
I had some similar questions last year -
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=43927

I would like to have done it in April (better conditions), but ended up going in May. Still a lot of fun :)

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:37 am
by deungsan
Excellent thread. Thank you, sir.