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Hi all,

I'm looking to climb the Avalanche Gulch route up Shasta in a few weeks. Having never climbed Shasta, I have a couple quick questions:

1. Are crampons and an axe required?
2. If so, is there any place local that rents for a good price?

I'll be in the middle of a road trip when I get there and won't be able to take along my gear. Any insight would be much appreciated.

1. YES
2. 'Fifth Season' is the name of the store out there

Thanks a bunch

In "a few weeks" I would wear a flak jacket! Seems to really be warming up; glad I hit it when the snow conditions were perfecto!

I believe Deb is referring to the snowballs and rocks that will be falling down into Avy Gulch from Green Butte and Casaval Ridge's. I did that route a few years ago on or about July 12. It was hot as hell that weekend so we got a very early start out of Horse Camp - about midnight. Never saw much rockfall, but I know it was happening. If it's hot, I would suggest you start early enough to clear the Red Banks by 7 or 8 am. You'll need crampons a few hours past Horse Camp, or about 4 hours from the trailhead, give or take...


On a somewhat related note, this just in: http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x1672977409/WEB-UPDATE-Hiker-found-deceased-on-Mt-Shasta

and don't forget your helmet.

If I were going, I'd like to be somewhere between Lake Helen and Red Banks at dawn - not that you can't do it later in the day, but it's safer earlier.