SummitPost.org

Bob Burd wrote:You need to use subtler, more life-like bait. This one's like fishing with a brick.

As a matter of fact one of the lifeguard training techniques is swimming on the back while holding a brick above the head.

mrchad9 wrote:

clmbr wrote:. . .
Is it even possible to have an epic climb on Shasta? Do you really think so?

There's three trips reports here about just one of them!

Could you be more specific?

http://www.summitpost.org/against-all-h ... sta/626323
http://www.summitpost.org/why-tom-and-i ... imb/621952
http://www.summitpost.org/reflections-a ... sta/624046

There are also two albums...
http://www.summitpost.org/mt-shasta-nor ... 010/618721
http://www.summitpost.org/tom-bennett-m ... bum/612535

That guy is an epic generator though; that isn't the typical Shasta experience.

mrchad9 wrote:http://www.summitpost.org/against-all-hope-life-partnership-and-loss-on-mt-shasta/626323
http://www.summitpost.org/why-tom-and-i ... imb/621952
http://www.summitpost.org/reflections-a ... sta/624046

There are also two albums...
http://www.summitpost.org/mt-shasta-nor ... 010/618721
http://www.summitpost.org/tom-bennett-m ... bum/612535

That guy is an epic generator though; that isn't the typical Shasta experience.

"That guy is an epic generator..." Agree.

However, I would call this an unfortunate tragedy rather than an epic; OK, for one a tragedy and for another one an epic (because, despite of the experiences and conditions he was dealing with, he was still able to get out of the mountain, and most importantly, on his own). Perhaps the survivor was preconditioned by his previous events, or perhaps by the way his mind works in such situations.

All sort of High Altitude Sickness is very common on Mt Shasta just not at that magnitude and death usually takes climbers by a surprise even though it does not strike like a lightning. The chain of decisions before the realized symptoms and after sets the trajectory to the final outcome. Summit fever, ego and denial besides not understanding the symptoms and possible consequences are very crucial cofactors leading often to tragedy.

Fortunately that sickness is not a leading factor of death accidents in the US mountains (not sure about Alaska). However, it cannot be completely excluded as a factor leading to other accidents. Mental or physical discomforts prone a climber to making imperfect decisions and other mistakes.

The bottom line is, regardless of one’s point of view, it was an incredible mountaineering experience.

Any other stories some may not be aware of?

Steve1215 wrote:-
bait? I believe climbr is the real deal, not a tr-ll

my tr-ll detector has not gone off
.

I’m not a tr-ll you should know this already. I just posted the possible world record snowfall on Shasta prediction as 1) an unusual occurrence and 2) to warn some brave and unaware prospects-attempters to reconsider their plans. Chad was the one who turned it into sarcasm/fun and I just kept playing along. However, not all is sarcasm, but also sarcasm here has real information and learning potential, especially for those who cannot get it; it makes people thinking.

On the other hand, not much is going on right now, due to the weather conditions, so we are having some entertainment with occasional more serious reflections. If someone reads only a few last posts may get a completely different view of this thread, which is still OK and makes it more interesting.

I’m surprise that we are still on the right topic related to Shasta, weather condition, and potential drawbacks.