Description:

We'll be doing the standard Avalanche Gulch route on Mt Shasta. The plan is to head down to Shasta City from Eugene on Thursday, pickup the permits and some lunch, and then proceed to Bunny Flats Trailhead. From Bunny Flats we'll be progressing to Horse Camp and on up to Helen Lake at just over 10,000 feet in elevation. We'll pitch camp here and get some shut-eye/acclimatization before waking at a nice, healthy alpine hour of 2am for the push to the summit. Based on my solo trip last year, the earlier we get to the summit, the better. The most likely route will take us through the Red Banks rather than around, but this will depend on the Ranger report. Participants should be prepared for some grueling "one foot in front of the other" climbing but will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular views that I've ever seen. There are some mighty steep sections that will require the use of good ice axe technique and crampons. You should be proficient with self-arrest technique and have attended the Obsidians climbing school or something equivalent. For you glissade lovers, depending on snow conditions on the way down, we can glissade almost the entire way from the bottom of Red Banks to camp!

Once we return to camp, we will either rest for an hour, tear down camp, and return to the cars, or will spend a second night at Helen Lake and return to the cars in the morning.

If only a very few people sign up I may change to a Lassen Peak + another summit trip. If there's interest the alternate Lassen trip could be a telemark/randonee ski.