SummitPost.org

96avs01 wrote:I'm curious too, thinking about hitting Clear Creek for a dayhike this weekend.

What dat are u going? Thinking of flying up Friday after work

^^^ Planning to roll up Friday eve with 2 buddies. Thinking of departing the TH around 03:00 on Saturday.

Clear Creek route is in perfect conditions for no crampons and no ice axe. The only snow you may walk on is on the plateau (which is flat); just make sure you go straight up from Red Rock (Mushroom) rather than to the right.

On Saturday (July 18, 2015) almost everyone summited who attempted the route in one day or overnight. Some people did it in 4 1/2 hour (not me ). I may add videos later on.

https://youtu.be/QQkPyMOH2xE
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQkPyMOH2xE[/youtube]

According to Mt Shasta Avalanche Center & Home of the Climbing Rangers "The Clear Creek road leading to the Clear Creek Trailhead on Mt Shasta has been damaged due to a recent storm. A high clearance 4x4 is required to reach the trailhead currently..."
https://www.facebook.com/shastaavalanche

Just read that about clear creek. Punting

There was a Yaris (rental) and a BMW wagon at the trailhead. Props to the BMW driver, hope the Yaris driver purchased the insurance. Do you need 4x4, no, but likely at least high clearance and some backcountry driving skills. Route was popular this weekend regardless of the road condition.

Source: http://shastaavalanche.org/ as of Aug 19th, 2015 08:39

ANNOUCEMENTS AND NEWS:

Clear Creek Road Compromised Due to Storm DamageThe road to the Clear Creek Trailhead has been damaged from the recent storm earlier this week (7/20). The road is full of debris for many miles and deep runnels cross and parallel the road. The storm gave us an inch of water or more over a short period of time in isolated areas and created small to large rain and debris flows impacting many areas in Siskiyou County. At this time, a 4 x4 high... read more

This announcement is not updated.

The Clear Creek road is in better conditions now than on July 21th, just before the final damage. While driving to the TH I felt the road over the last weekend was smoother than ever. Thank you for repairing the road. Many cars of various types made to the TH. (There are some sandy parts to be aware of though.)

So don’t look for any excuses just go Mt Shasta because now it’s still the best time to reach the top without touching any snow (except a very short and insignificant spot at the plateau). No ice axe, no crampons, just stamina! Yeah The most dangerous part is scrambling steep big boulders above the Red Rock (or Mushroom). My preferable route is to go straight up (not to the right) above the Red Rock. There is a path that leads all the way to the summit. Just follow it. Be aware of people below you because some of these rocks are very unstable.

Take enough water (at the springs), climb safe and have fun.

Oh by the way, mountaineering is suffering.

Picture taken on August 15th, 2015.


And this is one of the reasons I don’t like the Alpine style start.

Hmmmm....Clear Creek in a couple weeks could compete with my Sierra ideas depending on a few things. Mainly, the answer is blowing in the wind.

I heard that someone hiked up Clear Creek 16 times (in 16 days). If true, I’m not sure if that person stopped due to being bored mentally or physically.

Weekend of September 19/20, 2015.

The North Side of Mt Shasta was quite icy and covered with a thin layer of new snow in places. As far as I’m concerned, only two Russians (one 76 year old ) went through the top (HBR up and Bolam Gully side down); other climbers I met that weekend gave up due to too icy conditions.

Because my shoes/crampons were not reliable on ice, I did the true HBR (over rocks). The ridge was clear of snow all the way to the last section before the plateau. Even though this section is quite flat, I would not recommend crossing it without crampons. The upper ridge itself requires quite navigation skills in order not to hit a dead end. Most of it is scree, scrambling, and no more than class 3 if chosen properly. Unfortunately, on the way down I lost my tracks and had to down climb some rocks and icy slope.

The Russians were already sleeping when I passed their camp.

Climbers traversing Bolam Glacier, Mt Shasta.

It may still be time to climb up Clear Creek route without crampons and ice axe, not sure for how long, so hurry up. However, be aware of very windy and cold weather.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AvrTit_AE8
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AvrTit_AE8[/youtube]

Mt Shasta!!! Again and again and again... Why not?

Cold and very windy! More snow appeared on the mountain but we were still able to get to the top without walking over snow (with an exception of tiny spots). On the way down we descended a few thousand feet over (quite hard) snow.

https://youtu.be/sdsv-DUZkss
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdsv-DUZkss[/youtube]

Nice! Can't wait to get up there again.