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Mt Shasta - Summit timberlinetrails.net
Mt Shasta's
summit in the
winter and early
spring season is a
beautiful knife edge
looking block of
volcanic rock
encrusted with
snow and ice as
shown to the right.
summit in the
winter and early
spring season is a
beautiful knife edge
looking block of
volcanic rock
encrusted with
snow and ice as
shown to the right.
To the approaching climber, a view like the one above looks a little intimidating at first, but the final slopes appear worse than
they actually are. Even though most folks are pretty exhausted by the time they get to this point, the excitement of a looming
summit is enough to put some of that so called "wind in your sails" type of feeling back into you. After crossing the above lower
summit plateau, a short but still tiring 200 foot climb up snow and ice (in early season) or rock (in later season) awaits you.
they actually are. Even though most folks are pretty exhausted by the time they get to this point, the excitement of a looming
summit is enough to put some of that so called "wind in your sails" type of feeling back into you. After crossing the above lower
summit plateau, a short but still tiring 200 foot climb up snow and ice (in early season) or rock (in later season) awaits you.
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Contact Us
About Us
Shasta Home Page
Getting Started
Approach
High Camp
Above Red Banks
Summit
Current Weather
In the image to the right, you see my son Ben
making his way up the final slopes of Shasta's
summit block.
It is always a good feeling to conquer a challenging
mountain peak, and Mt Shasta has a lot to offer
climbers of all skill levels. Being on top of a
14,000 foot peak like Mt Shasta has many
wonderful rewards all its own.
Views while climbing Mt Shasta are visually
stunning and the views both from the summit and
on the way up are spectacular. Climbing mountains
like Shasta lends itself to a whole host of fun
sports and activities, such as skiing, backpacking,
photography, trail running, and other cool outdoor
pleasures. These are just a few of the reasons why
people come to climb and play on Mt Shasta.
making his way up the final slopes of Shasta's
summit block.
It is always a good feeling to conquer a challenging
mountain peak, and Mt Shasta has a lot to offer
climbers of all skill levels. Being on top of a
14,000 foot peak like Mt Shasta has many
wonderful rewards all its own.
Views while climbing Mt Shasta are visually
stunning and the views both from the summit and
on the way up are spectacular. Climbing mountains
like Shasta lends itself to a whole host of fun
sports and activities, such as skiing, backpacking,
photography, trail running, and other cool outdoor
pleasures. These are just a few of the reasons why
people come to climb and play on Mt Shasta.
Here you see Ben signing the summit register book that
is enclosed in a metal box on the top of Mt Shasta.
Entries in a summit register vary from a simple note of a
person's name and date of the climb, to notes about the
scenery, or even long essays about the events of the
climb.
Some people think that summit registers spoil the
wilderness experience, but I disagree. I think they add a
lot to the excitement of climbing a mountain, and many
times they include invaluable history about a peak or
climb.
Mt Shasta is a very popular climb, and there are many
entries in the book. Sometimes it's just plain fun to read
some of the writings. It adds to the whole adventure.
is enclosed in a metal box on the top of Mt Shasta.
Entries in a summit register vary from a simple note of a
person's name and date of the climb, to notes about the
scenery, or even long essays about the events of the
climb.
Some people think that summit registers spoil the
wilderness experience, but I disagree. I think they add a
lot to the excitement of climbing a mountain, and many
times they include invaluable history about a peak or
climb.
Mt Shasta is a very popular climb, and there are many
entries in the book. Sometimes it's just plain fun to read
some of the writings. It adds to the whole adventure.
At last, the highest point on the
mountain has been conquered, and
the summit bid is complete. The
views were fantastic.
If you look closely, you can see Mt
Lassen in the far distant horizon
(seventy three miles away). To the
north, you can see clear into the
State of Oregon and to the east you
can see all the way to the State of
Nevada.
Climbing Mt Shasta is a great
adventure and most of those who
put in the hard work that it takes to
reach the summit count it as one of
the greatest experiences of their life.
You can see some of the log entries
by clicking here.
mountain has been conquered, and
the summit bid is complete. The
views were fantastic.
If you look closely, you can see Mt
Lassen in the far distant horizon
(seventy three miles away). To the
north, you can see clear into the
State of Oregon and to the east you
can see all the way to the State of
Nevada.
Climbing Mt Shasta is a great
adventure and most of those who
put in the hard work that it takes to
reach the summit count it as one of
the greatest experiences of their life.
You can see some of the log entries
by clicking here.
Additional Timberline Trails Links for Mt Shasta
Now that the summit has been attained, you still need to
get back down. Mountaineering records reveal that most
accidents (approx 80%) occur on the way down and not
on the way up. This makes sense because of these
following few facts:
get back down. Mountaineering records reveal that most
accidents (approx 80%) occur on the way down and not
on the way up. This makes sense because of these
following few facts:
- Climbers/hikers are usually very tired after putting
in a lot of hard work to reach a summit. And good
strength and endurance are still required to
descend the mountain.
- Downward momentum can work against you and
hasty footing can cause a tumble before you can
regain your balance.
- When ascending you see your up and coming foot
and hand holds much better than when going down.
Take short rest stops if necessary, and remain alert at all times. Do not take your descent for granted. As stated above, most injuries
and fatalities happen on the way down.
Many climbers on Mt Shasta glissade (or slide) down some parts of the mountain. Particularly between Red Banks and Lake Helen.
This can certainly speed things up considerably, but care still must be taken. An ice axe is vital because without it stopping could
become next to impossible. And do not forget to take off your crampons. There have been a fair share of broken ankles due to this
oversight. Also be careful when it comes to getting into well worn glissading troughs that have been previously dug out by parties
sliding down the mountain. They can become very compact and icy. You can obtain some pretty incredible speeds in these chutes,
but the downside is that stopping can also become problematic. I found out on my last trip that it is far better to establish your own
path then to use someone else's previously formed ice chute. Often snow conditions just a few feet away from an established path are
much softer. The good part about all this is that the soft snow will build up nicely in front of you as you slide. This, along with your
ice axe, will make glissading much easier when it comes to controlling your speed.
Lastly, I hope that you have enjoyed your visit here at Timberline Trails, and that the account of Mt Shasta was helpful to you.
and fatalities happen on the way down.
Many climbers on Mt Shasta glissade (or slide) down some parts of the mountain. Particularly between Red Banks and Lake Helen.
This can certainly speed things up considerably, but care still must be taken. An ice axe is vital because without it stopping could
become next to impossible. And do not forget to take off your crampons. There have been a fair share of broken ankles due to this
oversight. Also be careful when it comes to getting into well worn glissading troughs that have been previously dug out by parties
sliding down the mountain. They can become very compact and icy. You can obtain some pretty incredible speeds in these chutes,
but the downside is that stopping can also become problematic. I found out on my last trip that it is far better to establish your own
path then to use someone else's previously formed ice chute. Often snow conditions just a few feet away from an established path are
much softer. The good part about all this is that the soft snow will build up nicely in front of you as you slide. This, along with your
ice axe, will make glissading much easier when it comes to controlling your speed.
Lastly, I hope that you have enjoyed your visit here at Timberline Trails, and that the account of Mt Shasta was helpful to you.
North facing slopes on Mt Shasta