tr: The Shasta Experience (5/24-5/27)
5/15/07
US elsewhere
3257
3
It has been 2 weeks since my trip to Mowich Lake on Mt. Rainiers northwest side. 2 weeks since I found out how double jointed my knee was. Let me tell you that no amount of yard work can even begin to suffice. There is no substitute when it comes to the bc. So when I got the email from Powderjunkie that both him and Puffnatty along with Bcrider and Mmcpheet were going to be up at Shasta, I couldnt say no. Plus it had been a few years since wed all convened during the Splitboard Festival back in Tahoe.
One phone call to John (aka: Its Almost Over For Me) and south we headed along I-5 in the waning evening hours. By noon am the permits were issued and a suitable camp was selected 5 minutes past the high school. The night was beautiful as I passed out under the stars. Fast forward not even an hour into my unconscious slumber. I wake to the feeling of something making its way up my leg. The tickling on my head didnt seem to bother me as much. I turn on the head lamp and turn over to find long legs making its way up onto my air mattress. Maybe I should get up and shake all the ants, spiders and other insects that sought refuge on my ark. Too lazy to get out my bivy the front seat had to do for the remainder.
After a final stop at the store we headed towards McCloud to find the marked maze of National Forest roads leading to Brewer Creek. The Toyo made it to the final switchback, which happened to be only 10-15 minutes from the trailhead. We parked next to a suburban, whose occupants, one could only assume were somewhere carving soft corn.
At the stroke of noon Powderjunkie and Puffnatty pulled up. After brief reintroductions our crew of 4 set off through the woods accompanied with some theme music. The going was slow with the bum knee but Puffnatty had a similar injury, not as severe, from the weekend before so I would have company from time to time. After walking for 10-15 minutes the snow became continuous enough to skin.
A couple hours and few thousand feet later we arrive at our camp, set below a bluff around 8,800ft. Setting camp any higher didnt seem right given the snow conditions that would have to be tolerated on the way out. Also given the surrounding snow conditions and the fact that the best snow was high up, any motivation or plans for an evening run were thwarted.
3:30am came around quick. By 4:30am, armed with crampons and a wicked limp, I start to make my way up.
Hey Natty dont fall or slide down cause this is the last thing Ill see¦
Powderjunkie and IAOFM (Its Almost Over For Me) caught summit fever and sought a quick remedy. Natty and I took a last break for the final push when 3 basketball ball size rocks came rolling through right over the boot pack. One is left thinking if we didnt break we might have been right there. The second yellow flag was witnessing IAOFM lose his footing and sliding down on all fours like a cat down a curtain, stopping a within feets from the grater. Oh well. Ill come back when my knee is 100%.
Puffnatty 1st tracks down¦
tracks from camp¦
Back at camp and time for happy hour(s). But before that I spot Bcrider and Mmcpheet's camp lower down. Some time is spent catching up before they crash for their summit attempt. Good luck!
One phone call to John (aka: Its Almost Over For Me) and south we headed along I-5 in the waning evening hours. By noon am the permits were issued and a suitable camp was selected 5 minutes past the high school. The night was beautiful as I passed out under the stars. Fast forward not even an hour into my unconscious slumber. I wake to the feeling of something making its way up my leg. The tickling on my head didnt seem to bother me as much. I turn on the head lamp and turn over to find long legs making its way up onto my air mattress. Maybe I should get up and shake all the ants, spiders and other insects that sought refuge on my ark. Too lazy to get out my bivy the front seat had to do for the remainder.
After a final stop at the store we headed towards McCloud to find the marked maze of National Forest roads leading to Brewer Creek. The Toyo made it to the final switchback, which happened to be only 10-15 minutes from the trailhead. We parked next to a suburban, whose occupants, one could only assume were somewhere carving soft corn.
At the stroke of noon Powderjunkie and Puffnatty pulled up. After brief reintroductions our crew of 4 set off through the woods accompanied with some theme music. The going was slow with the bum knee but Puffnatty had a similar injury, not as severe, from the weekend before so I would have company from time to time. After walking for 10-15 minutes the snow became continuous enough to skin.
A couple hours and few thousand feet later we arrive at our camp, set below a bluff around 8,800ft. Setting camp any higher didnt seem right given the snow conditions that would have to be tolerated on the way out. Also given the surrounding snow conditions and the fact that the best snow was high up, any motivation or plans for an evening run were thwarted.
3:30am came around quick. By 4:30am, armed with crampons and a wicked limp, I start to make my way up.
Hey Natty dont fall or slide down cause this is the last thing Ill see¦
Powderjunkie and IAOFM (Its Almost Over For Me) caught summit fever and sought a quick remedy. Natty and I took a last break for the final push when 3 basketball ball size rocks came rolling through right over the boot pack. One is left thinking if we didnt break we might have been right there. The second yellow flag was witnessing IAOFM lose his footing and sliding down on all fours like a cat down a curtain, stopping a within feets from the grater. Oh well. Ill come back when my knee is 100%.
Puffnatty 1st tracks down¦
tracks from camp¦
Back at camp and time for happy hour(s). But before that I spot Bcrider and Mmcpheet's camp lower down. Some time is spent catching up before they crash for their summit attempt. Good luck!
Good fun! Since I'ven ever done Shasta, some questions:
-Is this TR of the standard/Avalanche Gulch route?
-Think there will be enuf snow for a climb and at least partial ski in 1 month?
-We'll be at the OR Shakespeare Festival last week of June. Am I pipe-dreaming to try and drive down to Shasta and hike in during an afternoon/evening, then send the thing and drive back to Ashland next day?
-Is this TR of the standard/Avalanche Gulch route?
-Think there will be enuf snow for a climb and at least partial ski in 1 month?
-We'll be at the OR Shakespeare Festival last week of June. Am I pipe-dreaming to try and drive down to Shasta and hike in during an afternoon/evening, then send the thing and drive back to Ashland next day?
Sorry Charles I'll get the pics down to 3. Done!
Telemack is the the Hotlum/Wintun Route. According to rangers Forrest and Matt the south side, Avi Gulch is cupped to all hell. West side, Hidden Valley is still holding up. Maybe Giddy Giddy. In a month it will be either melted or bumped out. Bad snow year for Shasta this year.
Telemack is the the Hotlum/Wintun Route. According to rangers Forrest and Matt the south side, Avi Gulch is cupped to all hell. West side, Hidden Valley is still holding up. Maybe Giddy Giddy. In a month it will be either melted or bumped out. Bad snow year for Shasta this year.
Great TR and gorgeous photos. Love the sunrise photos.
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