[pct-l] Ice axe

[Ernie Castillo]

A side trip to Mt. Shasta, which is a short hitch hike from Castle Crags, is highly recommended.
In 1980, I met somebody in the campground who had a car and was enthralled by the PCT stories told around a fire ring since there were lots of thru-hikers there at the time, including John Merill. This fellow wanted to hike to the summit of Mt. Shasta so he offered me a ride in exchange for my tour guide duties. I really wanted to try to walk with John Merrill the next morning but I found out he prefers to hike alone. So I took up the offer. After renting cramp-ons at an outdoor mountaineering store in the city of Shasta, we hiked in a few miles and set up a base camp to give us a head start on the climb.
 
By the way: my ice axe served as a great "oar" when I "glassaded" (? spelling) down sitting on nothing more than my REI Gore-Tex rain pants.

Ernie Castillo
PCT Class of 1980


 
> From: jomike at cot.net
> To: pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net
> Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:54:09 -0800
> Subject: [pct-l] Ice axe
> 
> With all the talk of ice axes it reminds me to advise section and thru hikers,if you want to climb Mt.Shasta, we'll see to it you get there and back to our place, etc. We have all the information about The Mtn. plus, I have an ice axe. (Belonged to a friend who no longer wants it and knows we are trail angels so he donated to the cause.)
> 
> are we there yet
> 
> 
> ...going to the mountains is going home.
> 
> John Muir
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