2019 NorCal Camping, Wheeling, Shenanigans and Don Conquered The Rubicon

I love Shasta. There’s something about it.
I’ve summited 5 times. I’ve only tried the one day thing once via Casaval Ridge and had to bail at about 12,500 feet. I’ve only climbed middle palisade in one day...took 25 hours so a bit more than one day.

Shasta Sunrises aren’t bad.
https://youtu.be/EEX60zoJvUQ

 

Has anyone been to sawmill yet??

 

Wont there still be a butt ton of snow up there this year? Or is that better?

 

it should be there at some places, it's better for gliding down but not simple to climb, anyway need to be equipped by ice axe, helmet and some type of crampons

 

I can think of a few people around here that could use some crampons.

 

Shasta is a volcano covered in loose scree. The snow glues it all together. Without the snow it's much more difficult and dangerous due to rock fall etc. The scree sucks to walk on...one step up, 1/2 step back down. You'll need to learn to travel on steep terrain with an ice ax and crampons and self arrest but it's better. Snow often makes travel easier. Like the mountaineer's route on Whitney is way better with snow than with out.

If you time it just right you can ascend on firm frozen snow and descend on soft snow and glissade a bunch back down (sit on your but, slide and use your ice ax to control speed).

My usual routine is drive up Friday night, camp near the trailhead at Bunny Flat at 7K feet, Saturday morning go into town, eat, get permits, drive back to trailhead, leisurely climb to Helen Lake at 10,500 feet, camp, eat, enjoy the view, wake up between midnight and 3am, (3am seems to work the best for me), eat, climb, climb, eat along the way, summit, descend to camp, pack up camp, eat, get back to the car, stop at a brewery on the way home, eat some more.

You can rent all your gear at 5th season in town. I own my own mountaineering boots, crampons, ice ax, helmet etc which is super nice. I bought everything on clearance or used for about $450. My boots alone retail for like $450, I got them for $250. You just gotta look a lot.

Also, if you ski that's a great way to go up if you can skin up. Getting down is way faster. You can summit and ski down the north face with possible 10,000 feet of skiable descent.

It's really fun weekend. The views are insane and you'll meet loads of cool people.

 

Much better with a good snow pack. I don't know if I'd even attempt it without. Did Casaval ridge years ago and camped at about 12K'. Had the place to ourselves while watching the conga line of climbers going to Helen lake on the Avalanche Gulch route. Summited the next morning and were back to Bunny flat by early afternoon.

 

Last year I used Clear Creek Trail, no snow most of the trail to summit, except some small places around Misery Hill right before summit. It was easy to climb if you see the trail, just a rocky trail up up up. But Avalanche Gulch is totally different way, when there are a lot of good snow, it's better to climb. I'm going to Avalanche Gulch this year and standard schedule: camp on trailhead in RTT, Helen lake in small tent, summit, back to trailhead, down to north side of the mount, camp in RTT(there are a lot of places free to camp and nice different view), have plenty of days off.

 

Good times, good company; never disappointed.

 

You crossed this time. Water look to be traveling a little less than last week?

 

Is that at Bowman?

 

We didn't cross here, but others did.

 

Yup, camped there this past weekend. Anything you need?

 

Hit me up when you go back up!!

 

Will do! Was going to make a thread originally, but we did a birthday celebration for the lady with her fam. Had an awesome time up there - set up a little firing line with targets, walked around a bit, fishing, etc.

 

Just letting folks know still can’t get through poker flat from the Plumas side snow. Might be able with a side by side.

 

Cory and Da ?

 

Haha, that was us. Her pops left a couple markers because we hadn't been to that exact spot before. Hoping he took the plates down when they left Sunday.

 

They took the plates down (at least the one of the rock anyways)

That spot i call my "backup spot" cuz my "primary spot" was taken. I hate getting up there on a Friday lol It was busy as all fuck this weekend, but its been getting that way these past few years. A decade ago that place was very less traveled. There was alot of people on the water fishing on friday, @HAVING FUN youd better get it in while it last lol we pulled a trifecta of nice browns out this weekend.

We ended up our usual “holy shit we’re too late” spot. Usually I always plan my trips for Wednesday’s so I can snag one of the 2 good spots on the water lol





Add: The people parked by the dam, who kayaked out to the waterfall on the other side and camped across the lake were the smart ones. I need a dam roof rack so i can start bringing my kayak again.