The mountain is located in the cascade range in northern california. If mount shasta has this effect on you, youll need to make careful preparations before setting off. Shasta is one of the two most prominent large mountains in the contiguous united states. Selters and zangers book on mount shasta includes and a description of the approximate route. Jul 15, 2017 1 of 3 ryan ghelfi on the 14,179foot summit of mount shasta in northern california.
Mount shasta, located near the oregon border in northern california, holds the distinction of being one of the worlds preeminent sacred mountains. A guide to climbing, skiing, and exploring californias premier mountain. The small amounts of new snow over the last week prior to memorial day weekend have smoothed out the snow surface above 9,000 feet making for great climbing and skiing conditions. Shasta by steve lewis contains 12 comprehensive chapters for the adventurer who has never climbed before.
The forest service recommends signing in and out on the register in front of the ranger station in mount shasta. Climbing mount shasta via old ski bowl, green butte, and avalanche gulch. A guide to hiking, climbing, skiing, and exploring the mountain and surrounding area by andy. Training hikes should consist of elevation gains of 5,000 7,000 feet and distances of 812 miles to simulate the slope of mt. Thanks to epic winter snows, spectacular climbing conditions are predicted to peak at mount shasta from midjune to midjuly, said jen and chris carr, owners of shasta mountain guides.
Eight superb glaciers, californias largest, adorn its flanks. The fifth season is a complete outdoor store with equipment, rentals, maps and books. Watch the reports for a good span of clear weather. There are route options for both beginner mountaineers and experienced climbers looking for a challenge. This climb is suitable for new and experienced mountaineers and with the proper training and preparation the summit is a very attainable goal. Climbing mount shasta via old ski bowl, green butte, and. The information presented includes climbing techniques, weather, geography, flora, fauna, history safety, gear, and, of course, the route itself. Its not a technical climb, but its not a skip through a meadow, either. This guide below will only really go into depth on climbing mount shasta via avalanche gulch route. Thomas, 26, of berkeley, had climbed to the top of mount shasta with oakland resident tom bennett, 26, whose body was recovered by searchers thursday morning, five. Mount shasta is the superlative mountain in a state of superlatives. On the evening of the 15th and 16th an early storm hit the area, dropping large amounts of snow down to the 7000 and 8000foot levels.
Aac publications fall on ice, climbing unroped, party. Guide books emphasizing the mount shasta area and northern california back country adventures, backpacking, camping, climbing, fishing, fly fishing, glaciers, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe trails and more available for purchase check it out see more ideas about mount shasta, guide book and rock climbing. Whether mount shasta is the first major mountain you are attempting to summit, or the thousandth peak you have bagged, in my opinion, your best chance of reaching the summit is the triedandtrue avalanche gulch route. You should expect to add approximately 810 pounds of group gear to your personal pack.
Artifacts found in the surrounding area conservatively suggest at. I hope other guide book writers will pick up on steves idea, and write books that are as complete as this one. There are many routes up mount shasta, and there is a great book, the mt. During the summer months, there is a maintained trail that leads from the. After a quick orientation, we head to our first camp on the vaulting, snowstreaked slopes of mount shasta.
It rises around the picturesque mountains in the siskiyou county at an altitude of over 4322 meters above sea level. Shasta mountain guides is the original guide service on mt. While sweltering in the 100degree furnace of a sacramento valley heat wave, i looked north at mount shasta, the 14,179foot behemoth volcano with the eternal cool summit of snow. This summer, my little bro and i crawled up the talus backside of that slumbering beast, like ants through the gigantic crumbling leftovers of its tectonic meals. He founded shasta mountain guides in the mid1970s, and has lived at the foot of mt. Shasta book is the ultimate guide to safely the hiking, backpacking, and climbing routes up the 14,162foot mountain. Shasta is a great place to get started with alpine climbing. Planning november 2007, having not climbed any large peaks in quite some time, i decided to tackle mount shasta. Your ultimate guide to climbing mount shasta via avalanche gulch california fourteener mount shasta is the 5th tallest mountain in california and has many trails that lead to its summit. While most people come to mount shasta to try climbing the mountain, lassen has a wide fascinating backcountry full of mossy conifer woods, frozen lakes, meterhigh snow piles, igloos left behind by former visitors and steaming. However, its lack of approach makes it the easiest and most popular way to climb mount shasta.
Uytaahkoo or white mountain is a potentially active volcano at the southern end of the cascade range in siskiyou county, california. Jun 09, 2010 climbing accidents on mount shasta are always unfortunate, but mt. Meet your climbing guides at the fifth season mountain shop at 9. Shasta is the perfect first time mountaineering experience for those interested in climbing big snow. For much more on mount shasta you can return to the top and click on the left hand side menu for additional links on shasta. Shasta is considered one of the great mountaineering objectives of the american west. Mount shasta maintains a far more impressive and commanding individuality than any other mountain within the limits of california. It can be climbed in a day, but is commonly climbed with an overnight at helen lake. Shastas original guide service for summit climbs, glacier seminars, backcountry skiing, and ski mountaineering.
Mount shasta, californias premier mountaineering objective. Timothy keating is the ceo of sws mountain guides, an organization that has been leading expeditions to the summit of mount shasta since 1981. Mount shasta is a potentially active volcano at the southern end of the cascade range in siskiyou county, california. It rises around the picturesque mountains in the siskiyou county at an altitude of. Mount shasta has an estimated volume of 85 cubic miles which makes it the most voluminous stratovolcano in the cascade volcanic arc. On november 4 paul scarborough 55 and his son dean scarborough 23 attempted to climb the north side of mount shasta.
Starting with the history of the volcano and moving on to basics. There are many good books available that will provide invaluable information on other options for climbing mt shasta. The mt shasta approach via the avalanche gulch route starts at bunny flat 6,950 ft and then proceeds up the mountain to the summit 14,179 ft for a total elevation gain of over 7,200 feet. Shasta is dangerous, especially the upper reaches where climbers seek the summit. Shasta conditioning mount shasta is an active volcano located at the southern end of the cascade range in northern california and at 14,179 feet 4,322 m. Climbers can fall and they can be hit by falling rocks. Everything you need to know to climb mount shasta ahead of a. Along with the book, i wanted to include a link to grovers new blog, siskiyou county outdoors. A guide to hiking, climbing, skiing, and exploring the mountain and surrounding area selters, andrew, zanger, michael on amazon. In the beginning, were treated to descriptions of shasta herself, the mountains numerous glaciers, a history of volcanic activity, and obligatory, but beautiful quotes from john muir. In addition, this guide covers the areas skiing, snowboarding, water activities, and mountain biking trails. Hiking, biking and paddling books for the active outdoor lifestyle. Mount shasta is known as one of the most sacred places on earth and is called by many people the magical mountain.
Because climbing is a physically demanding activity many people will train to climb mt. Department of agriculture usda civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and. A mountain of many legends draws spiritual seekers from around the globe mount shasta, in northern california, is a massive snowcapped. Come join us for a summit ascent of mount shasta 14,179 ft. Some time on the 15th of september, john saulsberry 55 attempted a climb of mt. Hiking books and maps mount shasta trail association. It follows a 7,000 vertical foot ascent that exposes the climber to steep snow and ice, rock fall, and weather extremes. Guided climb of mount shasta international alpine guides. Perfect for anyone who wants to learn mountaineering fundamentals or energize their life and fitness routine with an epic goal, this trip is a classic climb on a peak that many people hold sacred. Mountaineering can test your physical abilities and determination by climbing the second highest volcano in the united states, mt. Although isolated, mount shasta is actually the second tallest peak in the cascade range, just 232ft shorter than mt.
Mount shasta climbing guides mount shasta climbing guides mount shasta climbing guides. Shasta s original guide service for summit climbs, glacier seminars, backcountry skiing, and ski mountaineering. Cloaked in glaciers and boasting epic displays of lenticular cloud formations, the stratovolcano is one of the grandest summits in the american west. On may 11th we went on a quick climb up mount shasta. Apr 07, 2016 if you are looking for something less intimidating and more playful to start with, lassen volcanic national park southeast of mount shasta is a fantastic destination. Shasta book, with a list of all of the different routes up the mountain. The book also includes a topographic map showing all mountain routes and variations. The classic and most popular climbing route up mount shasta and john muirs favorite.
A mountain of many legends draws spiritual seekers from. The mysteries and legends of mount shasta ancient code. Aug 27, 2012 whether mount shasta is the first major mountain you are attempting to summit, or the thousandth peak you have bagged, in my opinion, your best chance of reaching the summit is the triedandtrue avalanche gulch route. Department of agriculture usda civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. I studied the different routes up the mountain online, and after careful consideration i decided to go up the casaval ridge route. The climb is 7miles oneway with a climb of 7,000 feet, one of americas.
The routes are well traveled read crowded and routefinding on the easier routes is relatively straightforward, even in less than ideal conditions. Here are resources for climbing conditions, what to take, and how to prepare. Climbing accidents on mount shasta northern california. Wilderness press climbing mount shasta, 4th edition. Jul 21, 2011 in michael zanger smg founder and andy selters guidebook. Your ultimate guide to climbing mount shasta via avalanche. Shasta is not so much a guide book as it is an introduction to mountaineering. Shasta you will need to get a wilderness permit and a summit pass before climbing the mountain. The power of a mountain like shasta exerts itself first on the eyes, drawing them to the summit. Mount shasta is the second highest peak in the cascade range, surpassed only by mount rainier which is just 249 feet taller. Without snow to hike on, much of the surface of shasta is scree, loose rock fallen from up above. Locally, your best sources for these materials are the following three outlets. Jun 17, 2009 although isolated, mount shasta is actually the second tallest peak in the cascade range, just 232ft shorter than mt.
Climbing accidents on mount shasta are always unfortunate, but mt. Of these, we at shasta mountain guides regularly lead climbs up about 6 of them and routinely climb, ski, and explore the rest. Jul 11, 2019 mount shasta, located near the oregon border in northern california, holds the distinction of being one of the worlds preeminent sacred mountains. After a brief orientation, we caravan in our own vehicles to the trailhead. June and july are the favored months to climb this challenging strenuous hike to 14,179 feet elevation. The best time to climb is usually april through june and sometimes july, rarely august through november. The book has a lot of subheadings making it easy for you to follow. Avalanche gulch is the second technically easiest route on mount shasta, behind the clear creek route.
With all the extra information, it is a great resource for anyone interested in the mount shasta area, not just for rock climbers. In michael zanger smg founder and andy selters guidebook. Shasta or the ranger station in mccloud during business hours, or you can selfissue your permit and pass 24 hours a day at any of the trailheads or the permit station outside the mt. Mount shasta has an estimated volume of 85 cubic miles 350 km 3, which makes it the most voluminous stratovolcano. A route page and more detail will be added to summitpost this. The mount shasta climbing season is in full swing, and it is the right time to climb. Shasta is californias premier, standalone, 14,000foot mountainwith the largest and longest glaciers in the state. Learn all the aspects of mountaineering and snow climbing while attempting the summit of mt shasta with a professional mountain guide. With every step you take on scree, you slide at least halfway back down again. Jun 07, 2019 thanks to epic winter snows, spectacular climbing conditions are predicted to peak at mount shasta from midjune to midjuly, said jen and chris carr, owners of shasta mountain guides. Secondly, the mount shasta ranger station of the shastatrinity national forest has a fantastic front desk, staffed with knowledgeable people that can answer questions and a good supply of books and maps. It is recognized as an eligible native american cultural and cosmological property on the national register of historic places. Shasta book written by the owners of sws mountain guides your ultimate guide to avalanche gulch on mount shasta climbing mt.
Shasta and leads the highest quality trips and expeditions on the mountain. On november 4 paul scarborough 55 and his son dean scarborough 23 attempted to. Most trails to the top of mount shasta require technical mountaineering skills meaning beginners should g. The site has a lost and found, a natural water source, and. This magnificent mountain rises to 14,179 feet, and its base is more than 17 miles in diameter. Apr 15, 2018 because climbing is a physically demanding activity many people will train to climb mt. Mount shasta ranger station is located at 204 w alma st. Jun 07, 2015 a mountain of many legends draws spiritual seekers from around the globe mount shasta, in northern california, is a massive snowcapped volcano surrounded by miles of pristine national forest. A guide to climbing, skiing, and exploring californias premier mountain selters, andy, zanger, michael on.
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