[Planning] Climbing Mt. Shasta

jerrybj

Hi, everie,
U r super. When I first saw Rainier in 1987, hiking to the summit is a dream of mine since then. Many people around my offices area have talked about it and so far they are still talking about it now. U r the person who made it. All those pix are not only gorgeous, they are ur own treasure ID and nobody could copy it until he/she reachs the summit.

I might not have chance to listen to ur experience at the club mtg. So pls forward some info about ur experience to my email box if it does not load too much to u, jerry_92683@yahoo.com, thx.

I have a suggestion for those snow-hiking-lovers in our club: There is a snow mountain between Oregon and California, Mt. Shasta, 14,162 ft (249ft/75m lower than Rainier). Which is a famous one for snow hikers from CA (u might see it if u have driven down on I-5 freeway). http://www.climbingmtshasta.org.

Several yrs ago, I had tried once and failed. However, I have the hand-on experience for it.

1.        1st day: Arrive there by the afternoon and hike a couple hrs (a small gain) with backpacking to the foot of the mountain. Camp on solid snow (the end of May).
2.        2nd day: I do not remember exact distance and gain (6,000ft?). It takes 14 hrs to do so in my level (slow).
3.        At 12,200 ft, there is a flat area for overnight campers. People can stay overnight for two-day hiking. The disadvantage is u must carry ur backpacking to there.
4.        The whole hiking is on snow (except the first mile). It needs sticks, crampons and ice axe (about $50 each from e-bay). But u do not need any other equipment, such as rope. And u do not need any snow hiking experience. Hiking Shasta is much easier than hiking Rainier.

If someone interests to hike there, we can plan it early and do it in the early summer of the next yr.

ALEXYIM

jerrybj
Hi, ....
If someone interests to hike there, we can plan it early and do it in the early summer of the next yr.

An interesting proposal.  I'll keep it in my next year's hiking plan.  Let us keep in touch.  I think we should start the planning process at late Winter.

Flex

ALEXYIM
[quote]jerrybj
Hi, ....
If someone interests to hike there, we can plan it early and do it in the early summer of the next yr.

An interesting proposal.  I'll keep it in my next year's hiking plan.  Let us keep in touch.  I think we should start the planning process at late Winter.[/quote]

I am adding it into my top 10. Let me know the time when you are going to do it. Sigh. Yet another destination.

jerrybj

Hi, Guys,
I am very glad to got these positive feedback. Definitely, I could be ur semi-matured guide to there. Thanks.
1. When is the best time to hike snow mountain in general? One says the earlier time the better since the snow is soft. Another says the later time the better since u have less snow to hike on. Who is right?
2. Which one is better, staying at 12,000ft camping overnight with backpacking load or day hiking without load? Two-day hiking makes people breath less uncomfortable and one-day hiking has much less load. What do your say? Another way is the mixture of it: find a flat area around 10,000ft to stay overnight. The 12,000 camping site officially has a ranger staying there everyday.

ALEXYIM

Usually we ski from Dec to Mar.  April is the busiest month to me.  So, I would like to go in mid May.  What are your thoughts?

I'll order the "Climbing Mt. Shasta" guide book to study then we can discuss in more details.

everie

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for your positive comments, though I feel overwhelmed already. So nice to hear your adventure experience. It's a marvelous try and treasurable memory no matter whether you made to the top. Applaud!

Actually, it seems someone in the club are interested in Mt Rainier already. I am thinking to climb Mt Rainier again with the interested people here next summer (if I'm still capable at that time. :wink: ), or take the lower one - Mt Baker, which is in Washington State too, as an alternative. Mt Shasta is a very good option, but in my opinion, a little far away by driving there (more than 11 hours one-way from Vancouver to the mountain). With my knowledge of Mt Rainier, I believe many active and competent members here will reach the summit for sure, and you probably will too if being well prepared in the coming year. How does this sound?

For Mt Rainier, 3-4 days should be enough to travel there, climb and get back. For those who wish to summit, the average cost will be around $100 per person (including climb permit, food and group cost, excluding personal gears), which is moderate. Some people who won't like to risk to summit may come too and just stay at high camp to enjoy glaciers and broader views.

I have posted my experience in the forum, as you may have seen. I'll send you an email of our Mt Rainier plan so that you may get an idea how we can prepare for the next-year's climb in similar way. It's still a long time to look forward, so no hurry. Let's have lots of funs hiking around, make new friends and get stronger.  :D

ALEXYIM

everie
....I'll send you an email of our Mt Rainier plan so that you may get an idea how we can prepare for the next-year's climb in similar way....

Can you send me a copy as well?  I would like to get on the wagon next year.

Thanks

jerrybj

Hi, everie,
You are right about the driving distance. I have another one for Mt. Hood which is in the same range as Mt rainier. My email address is jerry_92683@yahoo.com. Thx.

Hi, ALEXYIM,
I went to Mt Shasta at the end of May, American Memorial Day, and I think it is still pretty early. This is the reason I have asked in my last post when is the best time to hike in snow. I do not think it is good before the end of May.

I used to ski a lot in southern CA. The temperature is warm there and I have not skied here in the cold weather. Pls let me know if u have a ski plan. Thx.

I have another pitch for another hiking plan, Mt, Hood. Could u post it? Sorry, I do not how to post it. Thx.


I went to Mt Hood five yrs ago. Which locates at the border of WA and OR, about 230 miles from Seattle. When I stopped at the ski parking lot and looked up the summit, I was stunned by the beauty and greatness. The ski area was the only one opens yr around along Pacific Coast, 360 out of 365 days. (5 days are left for sustaining and maintenance). One of my officemates told me he failed to reach the pinnacle due to snow storm. It was not an easy one, but it takes a day-hiking only.

Besides the Mt Hood, it is the famous Columbia River and mountains around it. Columbia River is the 4th largest river in North America and largest one in Pacific Coast. Above all, it starts from the Canadian Rocky Mountain and flows into Ocean from Oregon, not too far from Mr. Hood area (about 4,000 km long). There are many good trails there.

What I propose is to spend several days hiking both Mt Hood and along the river. Some people might take backpack hiking, and others might take day hiking (I cannot take backpacking due to low back problem). It has driving roads everywhere. All people still can gather together at camping sites at night. What do u think?

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recreation/climbing/index.shtml
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/forest/

ALEXYIM

jerrybj
...I do not think it is good before the end of May...

... Pls let me know if u have a ski plan. Thx.  ...

I have another pitch for another hiking plan, Mt, Hood. ...Columbia River and mountains around it.

All people still can gather together at camping sites at night. What do u think?  ...

For the timing.  It will be good for us if it is anytime after mid-May.

Ski plan.  In BC, the skiing seasons usually starts in Mid December and ends around late March (Whistler usually starts earlier and ends early May).  We will stay here skiing during the ski season.

The ski area at Mt. Hood opens 360 days.  Wow!  I should try skiing at this place when our ski season ended.

It is a good idea to establish a base camp for doing a few day-hiking trips around the base.

I have to study the places that you've mentioned before I can have any input.  Also, for this ski season, I will pratcise how to hike with crampons on and use the ice axe for self arrest.

Alex Yim

everie

ALEXYIM


Can you send me a copy as well?  I would like to get on the wagon next year.

Thanks

Glad to have the experienced couple in the troop.:) File has been sent.

everie

Thanks Jerry for the information! Now it seems that we have quite some choices:

Mt. Hood
Mt. Rainier
Mt. Baker

If time allows, camping and travelling a little faraway will be preferred. But I guess now it's too early to know time availability. Let's prepare well in the winter season and go on the road next summer. Good to have a goal to keep us motivated all along.

dida

Hiking Mt Shasta:

http://www.scaruffi.com/travel/shasta.html