Conditions Report
editor’s note: This report is brought to SnowBrains via Shasta Mountain Guides. If you haven’t climbed nor skied beautiful Mt. Shasta, the time is now.
Mt. Shasta Climb Report
There are few absolutes when climbing Mt. Shasta in spring. One is almost guaranteed; wind. Blowing, gusty, steady, fierce, biting, however you describe it, you better plan for it. We certainly had some last week but with the right preparation, attitude, and equipment, teams reached the summit from Casaval Ridge, the West Face, and Avalanche Gulch. Hearty congratulations to all our climbers and hard working guides, you guys rock!
SMG Guide crew on Shastina’s summit
A dusting of new snow along with exceptionally cold temps, has set up very good climbing conditions with smooth, firm cramponing found above 9,000′. Some of our senior staff took a “day off” recently to explore Shastina’s immense Diller Canyon.
Shastina summit pinnacle
Diller Canyon, a 5,000′ left point break
This week is expecting mild days and cold nights which is the recipe for fun and enjoyable mountaineering and endless ski descents from Shasta’s upper slopes.
MK skis the West Face
We’ve found very good to excellent conditions on many of Mt. Shasta’s most popular routes. With a great weather forecast and melting snow pack, sooner than later is the best advice for 2014.
It is now patchy snow to reach tree line, with good coverage above 8,500′ or so. Watch out for rime ice fall on the south side routes. Start and descend early with the warm daytime highs. We head to Brewer Creek for a special ski tomorrow (5/14) on one of Shasta’s most sought after descents.
Looks like Spring is here for real; call or email for details and get ready to enjoy Mt. Shasta in near perfect conditions this week.
530-926-3117
He is awesome !!! I took mountaineering class and he was my instructor.
Shasta’s a great climb. I’ve got a friend from a former summer forest service job–Justin Tucker. He worked for Shasta Mountain Guides the last few years I think. Great guy, you know him?