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Juggernaut,

Thanks for posting, It doesn't look too bad in your picture. How was the wind & visibilty on top? We're debating whether or not to go this week due to questionable forecast.

Casaval Ridge? As all others said, snows been goofy this year. I know it's the end of the line for Casaval, a few of us in OR were considering this a a Sunday-Monday option.

Speaking of which, any info on Whitney and/or Bolam? Looks good from the west. Well, white, anyhow. Doesn't ~seem~ many of the crevasses are near opening yet.

We haven't called the Ranger Station yet. Hoping the forecast clears a tad earlier than it is saying.

It was very windy (30 mph winds at least) from Misery Hill to the summit. As far as visibility goes, it was wildly fluctuating. Here are some pics (shot within a span of few minutes) up on Misery Hill.









Here is a section of Casaval Ridge.




I don't think there is any shortage of snow (along AG or WF), in fact I found more snow this time than last year (end of June 2011). But Shastina has a lot of bald patches.

Does anyone know the conditions on Green Butte / Sargents ridges? Thinking about it for this weekend, although the weather is looking dicey.

Juggernaut, very nice. Thanks, much appreciated. THats what I was hoping for.

Juggernaut,

Thanks again for posting. Nice pictures! We've decided not to go up tomorrow (Thursday). The weather looks better on Sunday/Monday. So much for getting ahead of the Memorial weekend crowds.

May 20, 2012
Casaval Ridge:
The weather was quite good, a bit windy in the morning but hot afternoon. No snowshoes were necessary at all. We did not take them and were completely fine. The snow coverage on Casaval Ridge is shrinking (compare to three weeks ago) but the route is still in very good conditions. However a couple short rocky fields have to be crossed if you want to stay high. Catwalk amazingly easy to cross (but this is relative).

West Face & Avalanche Gulch:
Seem like the both routes have very nice snow coverage.

Casaval Ridge Slope & Shastina


Casaval Ridge Slope


Casaval Ridge


Red Banks


Red Banks & Thumb Rock


Helen Lake


Catwalk


Summit


Climb Safe

Nice pics, Clmbr. Makes me want to head down. .

Skiing conditions look pretty good!

http://unofficialnetworks.com/mt-shasta ... ods-98391/

So I gather I'll be needing to bring my showshoes to get back down from Helen Lake to Bunny Flat eh? How bad would the post-holing be these days if not?
Thanks!

Here is the video trip from Casaval Ridge climb (May 19-20, 2012). It shows the conditions on both sides of the route. Pardon me for noisy sound and not steady picture.

dskoon wrote:Nice pics, Clmbr. Makes me want to head down. .

I think after watching the video you would want to go even more. I’ll do CR again or Whitney Glacier soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fLIPNAmgJ0&feature=youtu.be

Hey guys - Anyone looking for a climbing buddy? My usual friends are either out of town or not free till early/mid July and I'd like to take advantage of the weather/conditions rightnow if I can

I'm planning on starting up Casaval @ 1am tonight w/splitboard, hit me up @ for won five sex won tree won nyne ate tree. Relatively brisk pace.
Steve

Hah hey Breadbox I probably saw you at 10-11k on Casaval. I was with two other guys. Was it Steve?

Avalanche Gulch, my group of six went to Helen Lake Saturday (5-26-12)afternoon, 4 of our six summited Sunday (5-27-12). I turned around at the top of Misery Hill, It just wasn't my day. Conditions were good! Breezy but not too bad above Red Banks. There were some clouds & occasional white-outs in the afternoon between 10,000 and 12,000 feet. No clouds above Thumb Rock. The mountain is in good shape now. 2 of us skied down from 11,500 on nice spring corn. Several good glissade chutes made fast descending for hikers as well. Snow still covering all the way to Bunny Flat. I'll be back!