2-18-08 mt. Shasta West face attempt, skiied AG
2/18/08
US elsewhere
5154
3
With such an amazing day of perfect corn on the 17th and still clear weather forecasted, I had to go back up - but the winds beat me to it. The West face is an aesthetic looking line of about 4k of 30dg chute (with another 3k of skiing). It has been tempting my eye for some time. Being west facing, I wanted to leave a little later, so it might have some time to bake in late day sun.
I left the parking lot around 4:30, made decent time up the AG climbers route, taking little notice of an ominous roaring atop Casval ridge. The wind was blowing moderately as I topped out on Thumb Rock, and seemed to increase in velocity as I reached the 13350' plateau. There was no point on going up misery hill.
As I made my way to the entrance of the West face, the wind was blowing mightily, almost knocking me over. I knew I would have to wait a while after I tested the hard suncrusted windpack of the entrance. I put on all my coats, and shivered for an hour or two, to no avail. The snow quality had not changed the least bit. I decided to test it out on skis, after about 200' of almost edgeless turns on the suncrusted wind pack, I decided such nonsense is best left to fools, and switched to crampons, hiked back up, and scoped out several other aspects in search for better snow. After inspection of two other routes, I had no choice but to ski my ascent route (standard climbers route A.G.)
I skied down the atrocious sustrugi from the plateau to Thumb Rock, which was surprisingly sheltered from the winds. Then began down the heinous icy, rocky, highly variable A.G. route. The surface was sheer ice, gleaming in the sun, but it was soft enough to make turns, and there were enough rocks, and variable snow patches so that one could justify turns. Halfway down a ribbon of soft wind deposit became available, which was thick enough to turn on. I was surprised about how warm and windless conditions were. Apparently the wind was only blowing above 12k or so. Being later than yesterday, the snow was a little softer, and areas of sustrugi and brown lhoss were deep mank. There was a moment of placid tranquility when I made the transition from mank to smooth corn. The corn was connectable down to treeline, where it became mank again. I was beat after the 14k of skiing in two days. The second day was somewhat disappointing and had variable snow, but the first more than made up for it.
I left the parking lot around 4:30, made decent time up the AG climbers route, taking little notice of an ominous roaring atop Casval ridge. The wind was blowing moderately as I topped out on Thumb Rock, and seemed to increase in velocity as I reached the 13350' plateau. There was no point on going up misery hill.
As I made my way to the entrance of the West face, the wind was blowing mightily, almost knocking me over. I knew I would have to wait a while after I tested the hard suncrusted windpack of the entrance. I put on all my coats, and shivered for an hour or two, to no avail. The snow quality had not changed the least bit. I decided to test it out on skis, after about 200' of almost edgeless turns on the suncrusted wind pack, I decided such nonsense is best left to fools, and switched to crampons, hiked back up, and scoped out several other aspects in search for better snow. After inspection of two other routes, I had no choice but to ski my ascent route (standard climbers route A.G.)
I skied down the atrocious sustrugi from the plateau to Thumb Rock, which was surprisingly sheltered from the winds. Then began down the heinous icy, rocky, highly variable A.G. route. The surface was sheer ice, gleaming in the sun, but it was soft enough to make turns, and there were enough rocks, and variable snow patches so that one could justify turns. Halfway down a ribbon of soft wind deposit became available, which was thick enough to turn on. I was surprised about how warm and windless conditions were. Apparently the wind was only blowing above 12k or so. Being later than yesterday, the snow was a little softer, and areas of sustrugi and brown lhoss were deep mank. There was a moment of placid tranquility when I made the transition from mank to smooth corn. The corn was connectable down to treeline, where it became mank again. I was beat after the 14k of skiing in two days. The second day was somewhat disappointing and had variable snow, but the first more than made up for it.
more pics, can't figure out thumbnail option
Nice trip report. We need more snow!!! Giddy Giddy Gulch is the ticket right now. Hey I was wondering do you have a dog? I think I saw you at the parking lot. I was up there Sat, Sun and Monday. Let's get together and carve some turns. Happy Skiing. :)
Telewoman- yup that was probally me escorting my crazy little dog around the parking lot sat. afternoon, just sent you a PM, looks like were are in for some fresh snow - I look forward to carving some turns with you!
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