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[pct-l] Mt. Shasta



Personally, having climbed Shasta in July, I would advise thru-hikers
against it unless they are experienced at mountaineering in the Cascades. It
is a much greater commitment than Whitney.

To begin with, by the time thru-hikers get there, the best climbing is over.
You want the mountain to be covered in snow- like May or June. Not only is
it easier than climbing endless piles of loose scree, but snowcover keeps
down the amount of rockfall, which in Avalanche Gulch can be prodigious. By
July, much of your travel will be on loose scree, sometimes dangerously so.
In addition, you will be much more prone to rockfall from the rotten cliffs
above the route.

Also, I disagree with some other people who have answer this question,
saying that you need no special gear to climb this mountain. Can you
physically reach the summit w/o it? Most likely. Would I ever climb this
mountain w/o a helmet and an ice axe, and most likely crampons? HELL no. In
order to summit, you'll be ascending steep snow past Helen Lake early in the
day, when it is still hard as a rock. By July, it has consolidated to the
point that whatever is left is quite hard indeed. Without an ice axe, if you
fell on parts of this route, you'd be completely screwed.

There are not many summits in the Cascades which can be counted as a
"walk-ups"- South Sister being one close to the trail. I would argue that
Shasta, even though it might be possible to do it, should not be placed in
this category. IMHO.

Judson
Ashland
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net]On Behalf Of Judith Rush
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 4:25 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Mt. Shasta


We would like to climb Mt. Shasta, during our hike this year, how would we
get there from the trail ??

                                           Carl & Josh
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