9.29 Mount Shasta, mountaineering past Helen Lake

Man plans and G-d laughs is most apt. We had planned to hike the Clear Creek trail to the summit of Mount Shasta, a massive elevation gain of 7,800 feet (we flatter ourselves). However, on Friday after entering the town of Shasta, we learned that access to the trailhead was under snow for two miles. Okay, we thought, we’ll attempt Avalanche Gulch instead. The problem with that is it is under a particular thick covering of snow, too. As we did not have the right equipment and mindset for camping on the mountain in order to make it a two-day hike, we decided to commence at 3am on Sunday and see how far we could get. We did hire special equipment for the endeavor including fancy boots to give us a blister. However, as they say in some circles, ‘we don’t dig snow.’


The Ice Man Cometh (Robbie) while sun shines behind


A view of our approach and climb—through the gulch


Dawn breaks over Shasta

“Nuts,” we said to our editor’s son, Robbie. “No thanks, Dad. Mom filled my backpack with plenty.”
“No, son. We mean we are nuts, Rob. We did not sleep Saturday night; left the Inn at 2:30am, made our way along a snow covered trail in the dark with a miner’s light and flashlight, lost the trail and then trudged in thick snow on various gradients that looked and felt impossibly steep while freezing; all to acquire 4,000 feet elevation gain. That’s what we call ‘nuts’.

Father and son layered for the early cold at Helen Lake (10,500 feet). Where should we apply the sunscreen?

So why do we both feel exhilarated being out here enjoying the tranquility, the challenge and such beauty? We met a few hikers or mountaineers today, the one saying that if you have to explain the passion then the person is never going to understand anyway. We liked his point. “Hey, Rob, just for fun; try explaining it to us.” We were without our editor who appears to have a better understanding of limits and wisdom. She opted out of the activities on the glorious Shasta although sorely missed. Not to be outdone, we are also sore. In fact, in another coincidence, we met a ranger who after a discussion, remembered Jenni from last September. Once again, we find the coincidences on hike-about quite amazing.


One of the slopes we climbed, no kidding


Precarious but breathtaking


A facet of Shasta

Mount Shasta is a volcano of enormous height and size, dominating the region; one so influential that she creates her own weather patterns. We’ve seen her fully dressed, covered in snow as well as partly naked once much of the snow melts. She is a lady who portrays her moods without inhibition. In winter and spring, she is the seductress beckoning to all from under her virginal white covering. Comes the summer months, she sheds most of her covering and reveals a much harder and barren exterior. However, in all seasons she is most attractive and alluring. She stands aloof amongst many mountain ranges close by but always imposes herself on all within a hundred miles of her generous body. For the unsuspecting and in fact, experienced, too, she quite willingly allures us with a welcoming and then in moments, may turn and spit out the pieces of her former guests without pity or remorse. She may not be a lady, but she is one helluva woman.


The sun 'hits' the mountains in the early morning


Rob contemplating: What are we doing here?

A rocky scene somewhere on the mountain

We thought today’s experience, including the various aspects that complicated it, amounted to our most difficult hike—mountaineering, we believe, is a better term. As we write these words, we still cannot believe some of the gradients we negotiated on this fascinating volcano. At times, when looking both up and down, we were amazed at the steepness. That should not have been a surprise though; the going was slow as each step required much effort. In places, it was twenty steps up, rest but don’t look down for too long—much too scary. Rob made a spectacular self-arrest with his ice axe, another new experience. It is a method of stopping one from tumbling down a slope.


Robbie halts a slide with his ice pick while 'responsible' father/cameraman misses action by a second

We had a first experience 'glissading' for a short while down one of the slopes. The idea is to slide down the mountain on the butt with the ice axe at the ready to slow or stop one losing control. It was a bit ambitious of us initiating it on one of those slopes but it appears we have adequate 'butts'. If you haven’t brains, at least you should have a decent behind.



A few uncovered rocks with the wind gusting on the ridge


Snow is tough to hike on but beautiful to look at as we face the town below.

That we did not reach the summit is of course, a disappointment. However, as we are not fond of hiking in snow or dealing with 40-60 mile an hour winds on ridges, such an outcome was not on the ‘cards’ without an overnight stay. Clearly, we need to break up elevation gains of this magnitude into two segments and camp overnight. We feel comfortable that this will be manageable. On the positive, which outweighed all considerations, hiking with one’s child is a special and unique experience. We waited months for this opportunity to have Robbie with us in Shasta City—it has been memorable.


Mount Lassen, 100 miles away


Shadows and sunlight as we glance to the side

We hope Gavin will join us next time and perhaps Natalie, too. In the latter instance, Moshiach will probably arrive before such an event.

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey


Sunspots—sun picks a spot to shine upon


Looking 'down' upon other mountain ranges


Ski tracks. Most impressed to see a few skiers walking up mountain and skiing down