hikerbrian - Mar 20, 2007 12:25 am Date Climbed: May 28, 2006
Avalanche Gulch
Very pretty mountain. Fun weather on Saturday (40 MPH winds, maybe 20 degrees, blowing snow and fog, 50' visibility), had to camp lower than we had planned because it was too windy to make it to Helen Lake. Then Saturday dawned clear and perfect. Straightforward climb via Thumb Rock; although snow sounded more hollow than I would have liked. We got off the mountain before it got very warm. The glissade down the Heart was awesome.
Zzyzx - Mar 19, 2007 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2007
Casaval Ridge
Winter ascent in a day from Bunny Flat with Diggler. About 16 hrs. round trip - lack of acclimatization and 1 hour of sleep definitely slowed us down. Perfect weather and condition on the route.
mow10 - Mar 17, 2007 6:33 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2003
Lightest 24 hours of the year
Starting under full moon at 2am up Av Gulch I did not need a headlamp at all. Summit 9am. Note to self: Stick to early season on the volcanoes as descending (or ascending) on volcanic scree sucks.
Mescalito345 - Mar 11, 2007 1:37 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2006
Avalanche Gulch
I've been to Shasta twice, in July 2005 and June 2006. The first time was with Sierra Wilderness Seminars, and the second time was with some friends from Las Vegas. Weather was good both times, although in June 2006 it was very windy between Helen Lake and Red Banks. Here are some pictures:
Avalanche Gulch - slog up the snow. Lightning on the summit - very scary. Summitted and got the hell out of there. Slept in a snow cave that night and came down the following morning.
lizrdboy - Feb 23, 2007 3:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1999
Hotlam Glacier Route
Success on the first try. The two following tries, Casaval Ridge in winter...not so much.
shasta was my playing ground for many years. she kept me preped for other climbs around the states and the world. Just want to thank her for not killing me in the process. I did many trainings and shorter ice climbs on her and Shastinas flanks, as well as 37 summit ascents out of 42 attempts... almost every route and then some not in the guides. There's alot to do and when you feel you're experienced enough, throw out the guide and let your mind seek out the lines...they're there! I was also able to solo anything not requiring too much glacier travel and most of these in winter. Her ridges are super in winter and it's great 'cause you're alone...no crowds. She gave me the confidence to take on anything in climbing and life in general. I live elsewhere now, but hope those of you who are climbing her now will take care of her and protect her. Get solid on your skills before going to the next level, take her SERIOUSLY and hopefully you'll be able to look back and say thank you to her as well.
LC - Jan 12, 2007 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2006
Hotlum-Bolum Ridge
What a great peak. Started climbing at around 3am and found perfect snow condition. The way down was a bit treacherous, but found a scree field to the west of the ridge and rode it to the snow field. Glissaded for about a quarter of a mile on the snow, and had a grand old time.
Great time every time. Been up the Gulch so many times I cant remember. Took a nasty fall on July 4, 2001 solo climb from the middle of the heart and flew out into the gulch. Hard ice is slick and provides no purchase for self arrest. While engaged in my best rag doll impersenation, my crampons some how reached up and tore up my shoulder. Finally came to a stop just above Helen. Sustained concussion from ice bullock my head bounced off of. Dizzy and nauseous, I removed ice axe from right knee, applied first aid, and bled my way back to the car. Drove to Burger King in a daze, ate a Whopper and drove back to the bay area. The next day I decided to go to the emergency room, and my doctor told be I was stupid. But man, what a great time. Cant wait to go back again this year. Casaval in Winter, Solo. Now that sounds fun.
laureljarndt - Nov 20, 2006 2:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2004
Hotlum Headwall
Parked at Brewers Creek and walked into trailhead. GPS'd our entrance gully in case we descended in dusk. Headed straight up around to the first rockband. Proceeded to set up camp, giggle and sip schnapps. Unfortunately a stumble out of the tent resulted in breaking my toe. Woke up in am, stuffed it into boot and proceeded up to second camp at 10,500. Set off for ice route and summit in the am with the 800 feet of nice blue ice in front of us. All things are not what they seem, what looked like four hours of simulclimbing turned into 7 hours of pitching out and protecting bad ice. Summitted arounnd 1pm and headed down through the snow cupped and soft Wintum/Bolum route. Needed to traverse way over to find our camp..nothing like being able to see it but not reach it. Made camp by 3:30, quick break down and back out to car by 7pm. Toe was black and purple!
CBoldt1010 - Nov 16, 2006 8:27 pm Date Climbed: May 14, 2006
Long Hike up!
Made the mistake of not going to the upper camp Avy Gultch before starting our accent. It was a long day!
Clevelander22 - Nov 15, 2006 6:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2005
Avalanche Gulch
Camped at lake helen and summited around 9a.m. the next day. Beautiful weather! officially hooked on mountaineering!
gregoryv - Nov 2, 2006 5:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2006
Avy Gulch
Very warm day on Shasta
ncfitton - Oct 26, 2006 5:00 am Date Climbed: May 14, 2006
Casaval Ridge
Camped at Sierra Club cabin the first night and about 11000 feet the second night. Summitted about 8.30am. What a great climb. The descent sucked - by 11am everything was slushy and we postholed all the way to Bunny Flat.
Outdoorpartner - Oct 5, 2006 5:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2003
My first alpine ascent
Took a 5 day mountaineering class which included the summit -- I was hooked on mountaineering after this!
whaynal - Oct 4, 2006 2:22 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2006
Avalanche Gulch
Standing by the Red Banks, the peak still looked so far away--with Misery Hill in the way. But the glissade down the gulch was amazing--it was carved out like bobsled run. What took a grueling 5 hours to climb, only took 20 minutes to descend.
My favorite trip so far.
Dangers Pop - Sep 28, 2006 5:18 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2004
Avalanche Gulch
Climbed with Randy, Mike, Eric and Jeff. Camped out at Lake Helen. We broke camp at 0100 and were on the summit at 0630. Perfect conditions.
hikerbrian - Mar 20, 2007 12:25 am Date Climbed: May 28, 2006
Avalanche GulchVery pretty mountain. Fun weather on Saturday (40 MPH winds, maybe 20 degrees, blowing snow and fog, 50' visibility), had to camp lower than we had planned because it was too windy to make it to Helen Lake. Then Saturday dawned clear and perfect. Straightforward climb via Thumb Rock; although snow sounded more hollow than I would have liked. We got off the mountain before it got very warm. The glissade down the Heart was awesome.
Zzyzx - Mar 19, 2007 6:33 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2007
Casaval RidgeWinter ascent in a day from Bunny Flat with Diggler. About 16 hrs. round trip - lack of acclimatization and 1 hour of sleep definitely slowed us down. Perfect weather and condition on the route.
mow10 - Mar 17, 2007 6:33 am Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2003
Lightest 24 hours of the yearStarting under full moon at 2am up Av Gulch I did not need a headlamp at all. Summit 9am. Note to self: Stick to early season on the volcanoes as descending (or ascending) on volcanic scree sucks.
Mescalito345 - Mar 11, 2007 1:37 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2006
Avalanche GulchI've been to Shasta twice, in July 2005 and June 2006. The first time was with Sierra Wilderness Seminars, and the second time was with some friends from Las Vegas. Weather was good both times, although in June 2006 it was very windy between Helen Lake and Red Banks. Here are some pictures:
http://hong.smugmug.com/share/5vRMbTRHLtX9g
http://pkuroda.smugmug.com/gallery/1598686#77599659
hockeyman - Mar 7, 2007 4:31 pm
Mt ShastaAvalanche Gulch - slog up the snow. Lightning on the summit - very scary. Summitted and got the hell out of there. Slept in a snow cave that night and came down the following morning.
lizrdboy - Feb 23, 2007 3:18 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1999
Hotlam Glacier RouteSuccess on the first try. The two following tries, Casaval Ridge in winter...not so much.
highice - Jan 30, 2007 6:54 pm
thank you mt shasta!shasta was my playing ground for many years. she kept me preped for other climbs around the states and the world. Just want to thank her for not killing me in the process. I did many trainings and shorter ice climbs on her and Shastinas flanks, as well as 37 summit ascents out of 42 attempts... almost every route and then some not in the guides. There's alot to do and when you feel you're experienced enough, throw out the guide and let your mind seek out the lines...they're there! I was also able to solo anything not requiring too much glacier travel and most of these in winter. Her ridges are super in winter and it's great 'cause you're alone...no crowds. She gave me the confidence to take on anything in climbing and life in general. I live elsewhere now, but hope those of you who are climbing her now will take care of her and protect her. Get solid on your skills before going to the next level, take her SERIOUSLY and hopefully you'll be able to look back and say thank you to her as well.
LC - Jan 12, 2007 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2006
Hotlum-Bolum RidgeWhat a great peak. Started climbing at around 3am and found perfect snow condition. The way down was a bit treacherous, but found a scree field to the west of the ridge and rode it to the snow field. Glissaded for about a quarter of a mile on the snow, and had a grand old time.
MtnAv8r - Jan 6, 2007 10:13 pm
Every YearGreat time every time. Been up the Gulch so many times I cant remember. Took a nasty fall on July 4, 2001 solo climb from the middle of the heart and flew out into the gulch. Hard ice is slick and provides no purchase for self arrest. While engaged in my best rag doll impersenation, my crampons some how reached up and tore up my shoulder. Finally came to a stop just above Helen. Sustained concussion from ice bullock my head bounced off of. Dizzy and nauseous, I removed ice axe from right knee, applied first aid, and bled my way back to the car. Drove to Burger King in a daze, ate a Whopper and drove back to the bay area. The next day I decided to go to the emergency room, and my doctor told be I was stupid. But man, what a great time. Cant wait to go back again this year. Casaval in Winter, Solo. Now that sounds fun.
laureljarndt - Nov 20, 2006 2:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2004
Hotlum HeadwallParked at Brewers Creek and walked into trailhead. GPS'd our entrance gully in case we descended in dusk. Headed straight up around to the first rockband. Proceeded to set up camp, giggle and sip schnapps. Unfortunately a stumble out of the tent resulted in breaking my toe. Woke up in am, stuffed it into boot and proceeded up to second camp at 10,500. Set off for ice route and summit in the am with the 800 feet of nice blue ice in front of us. All things are not what they seem, what looked like four hours of simulclimbing turned into 7 hours of pitching out and protecting bad ice. Summitted arounnd 1pm and headed down through the snow cupped and soft Wintum/Bolum route. Needed to traverse way over to find our camp..nothing like being able to see it but not reach it. Made camp by 3:30, quick break down and back out to car by 7pm. Toe was black and purple!
CBoldt1010 - Nov 16, 2006 8:27 pm Date Climbed: May 14, 2006
Long Hike up!Made the mistake of not going to the upper camp Avy Gultch before starting our accent. It was a long day!
Clevelander22 - Nov 15, 2006 6:07 am Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2005
Avalanche GulchCamped at lake helen and summited around 9a.m. the next day. Beautiful weather! officially hooked on mountaineering!
gregoryv - Nov 2, 2006 5:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2006
Avy GulchVery warm day on Shasta
ncfitton - Oct 26, 2006 5:00 am Date Climbed: May 14, 2006
Casaval RidgeCamped at Sierra Club cabin the first night and about 11000 feet the second night. Summitted about 8.30am. What a great climb. The descent sucked - by 11am everything was slushy and we postholed all the way to Bunny Flat.
heyitsme - Oct 17, 2006 9:23 pm
shastaawesome, doing it again in a few months.
Outdoorpartner - Oct 5, 2006 5:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2003
My first alpine ascentTook a 5 day mountaineering class which included the summit -- I was hooked on mountaineering after this!
whaynal - Oct 4, 2006 2:22 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2006
Avalanche GulchStanding by the Red Banks, the peak still looked so far away--with Misery Hill in the way. But the glissade down the gulch was amazing--it was carved out like bobsled run. What took a grueling 5 hours to climb, only took 20 minutes to descend.
My favorite trip so far.
Dangers Pop - Sep 28, 2006 5:18 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2004
Avalanche GulchClimbed with Randy, Mike, Eric and Jeff. Camped out at Lake Helen. We broke camp at 0100 and were on the summit at 0630. Perfect conditions.
jef80 - Sep 17, 2006 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2005
Hotlum-Bolam RidgePretty icy at the top but still fun.
Mark N - Sep 16, 2006 10:28 pm Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2005
Avalanch GulchFirst time on a fourteener. Camped at Helen Lake. Mild AMS symptoms but a fun time.