Mt. Shasta
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:53 pm
Esteemed Backcounty Climbing People:
I have the opportunity and desire to climb Mt. Shasta this year. I am looking for the straight scoop on what sort of climb Shasta is.
To put this in perspective, I am an experienced backpacker and have walked up a few of peaks (Whitney twice, McLoughlin, two of the Three Sisters, Eagle Cap and Thielson in Oregon). I also have some off-trail pass experience. I do not have any climbing (ice or rock) experience, but would embrace getting trained, if that was required. I am cautious and generally avoid risky situations in the backcountry. I avoid those who are candidates for the Darwin award.
I am also a native of the State of Jefferson and understand the region. My brother has climbed with the Mazamas and has shared several stories of climbing trips gone very wrong on Hood and Rainier. I don't believe that Shasta is the killer that Hood or Rainier is, but that it remains a mountain to be respected.
I have heard casually from some people that you can just walk up Shasta without any special gear or training. I have heard from others that this is technical ice/glacier climb and that you will need to know what you are doing. Specifically, knowing how to use an ice axe and crampons. Thus, paying a guide to teach you how to use these items is the prudent and wise choice for a safe climb.
I also understand that there may be some seasonality to the Shasta climb. You may be able to walk up the mountain in August or September, but a May through July trip would probably require the ice gear. I also understand that the weather can quickly change on Shasta, effectively closing the summit to climbers.
Here are my questions:
Can you walk up Shasta in normal hiking gear? If so, when?
If ice gear is required to climb, is it something that a reasonably backcounty-experienced person can figure out, or is it something that would be best taught by somebody that knows what they are doing (a professional or experienced climbing club member)?
Friends are discussing going up Shasta in May of this year. Based on the Shasta Avalanche site, it looks like they are having a very snowy year. What are your thoughts on inexperienced amatures climbing in this situation?
Any additional adivce would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.
I have the opportunity and desire to climb Mt. Shasta this year. I am looking for the straight scoop on what sort of climb Shasta is.
To put this in perspective, I am an experienced backpacker and have walked up a few of peaks (Whitney twice, McLoughlin, two of the Three Sisters, Eagle Cap and Thielson in Oregon). I also have some off-trail pass experience. I do not have any climbing (ice or rock) experience, but would embrace getting trained, if that was required. I am cautious and generally avoid risky situations in the backcountry. I avoid those who are candidates for the Darwin award.
I am also a native of the State of Jefferson and understand the region. My brother has climbed with the Mazamas and has shared several stories of climbing trips gone very wrong on Hood and Rainier. I don't believe that Shasta is the killer that Hood or Rainier is, but that it remains a mountain to be respected.
I have heard casually from some people that you can just walk up Shasta without any special gear or training. I have heard from others that this is technical ice/glacier climb and that you will need to know what you are doing. Specifically, knowing how to use an ice axe and crampons. Thus, paying a guide to teach you how to use these items is the prudent and wise choice for a safe climb.
I also understand that there may be some seasonality to the Shasta climb. You may be able to walk up the mountain in August or September, but a May through July trip would probably require the ice gear. I also understand that the weather can quickly change on Shasta, effectively closing the summit to climbers.
Here are my questions:
Can you walk up Shasta in normal hiking gear? If so, when?
If ice gear is required to climb, is it something that a reasonably backcounty-experienced person can figure out, or is it something that would be best taught by somebody that knows what they are doing (a professional or experienced climbing club member)?
Friends are discussing going up Shasta in May of this year. Based on the Shasta Avalanche site, it looks like they are having a very snowy year. What are your thoughts on inexperienced amatures climbing in this situation?
Any additional adivce would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.