Mount Shasta Blog

Rippin Snow…Melting Fast!

May 16, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

Warm temperatures all week.

Bunny Flat 5-16-2012

Snow at lower elevations is melting fast!

This week’s ski choice~

Janet Shredding It!

The Telemark Turn Lives On~Giddy, Giddy Gulch!

and the Gulch…

Above Helen Lake, Avalanche Gulch

Excellent Climbing Conditions!

Crampons & Ice-Axe skills are required~

http://mountshastaguide.com/tours-clinics/mt-shasta-ice-ax-crampon-clinic-basic-snow-climbing-instruction/

I had a chance to check out the north side of Mt. Shasta…

North Gate Trail Head

It is now passable all the way to the trail head. The last 4 miles slower going.

We booted it for a 1/4 mile before skinning. Snow is melting fast down low.

Hotlum/Bolam 9,750 ft.

Skiing and climbing are good high. Jigsaw puzzle and connect the snow dots coming down!

South Fork of the Upper Sacramento River

Another beautiful weekend ahead!

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Mount+Shasta&state=CA&site=MFR&lat=41.3181&lon=-122.32

Solar Eclipse~Sunday at 6:27(reaches maximum).

Pick up special sunglasses at the Mt. Shasta Chamber for viewing. Check out events at~

http://mtshastachamber.com/blog/2012/05/sunday-may-20th-annular-solar-eclipse-over-mount-shasta/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sunday-may-20th-annular-solar-eclipse-over-mount-shasta

Happy Week and Weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Hotlum/Bolam Route, Mt. Shasta, Northgate Trailhead

Current Conditions…Smooth & Creamy!!!

May 10, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

Come on up and get the goods!

11,000 ft, Avalanche Gulch

It doesn’t get any better!

Red Banks, 12,800 ft.

Sweet!

Getting Ready for the Decent!

Timing is Everything!

Temperatures reaching a balmy 60 degrees above 8,000 ft.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.38814294931545&lon=-122.21809387207031&site=mfr&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

Shastina and West Face

The mountain is RIPPiN!

Want to climb the mountain and need the basic skills~Crampon technique, Ice-Ax skills, Self-Arresting…

http://mountshastaguide.com/tours-clinics/mt-shasta-ice-ax-crampon-clinic-basic-snow-climbing-instruction/

or wanna a ski or snowshoe tour~Give me a call~530-926-3250.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Shastina

The West Side…Mt. Eddy Descent!

May 3, 2012 By Robin 1 Comment

This week we did our annual Mt. Eddy descent. Mt. Eddy is part of the Klamath Mountain Range and is the highest peak at 9,025 ft. Timing is everything for this ski descent and having friends that live in the area help too!

Getting Closer to the Top!

I get a lot of inquiries about access to this area. It’s difficult with all the property owner issues and no public easement. Either waiting for the Parks Creek trail head to open up or starting from Morgan Meadows-that’s usually a 2+ days trip, is the most accessible way to Mt. Eddy.

Dubkin Lake

High alpine lakes are still frozen.

Getting ready for the descent!

It was a bit icy at the top but as we skied, the corn ripened.

The View~Shasta Valley

In the distance is Lake Shastina and Shasta Valley~the remnants from Ancestral Mt. Shasta.

Find out more in my book, “Mount Shasta Guide to Fun”.

Durney Lake

On our way down, we stopped for lunch.

Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful SUNNY weekend!

Come up and ENJOY Mt. Shasta!

Filed Under: Lake Shastina, Mt. Eddy, Shastina

Spring Climbing and Sliding are Here!!!

April 28, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

We received a little bit of snow this past week smoothing out the surface from the rain runnels last week.

Avalanche Gulch 4-28-2012

This week my nephew and friends came from the east coast to climb the mountain.

Here are some pics~

My nephew Corey

Corey, JP, Anthony and Chuck came to climb Casaval Ridge, Mt. Shasta. They had an epic trip. No summit this time with over 100 m.p.h. winds but got some awesome pics~

Sunset on Casaval Ridge, photo by Corey Swartz

Climbing! Photo by JP

Here’s my favorite~

Anthony on Casaval, photo by Corey Swartz

I had a great time visiting with my nephew and his friends. Thanks for all the great BEER!

Looks like a high pressure throughout the week setting up the mountain for great conditions.

Have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Casaval Ridge, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

SUNSHINE!!!

April 21, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

We are in summer mode this weekend!

Avalanche Gulch April 21, 2012

Can you say…rain runnels! The mountain got rained on pretty high elevation this week. Makes for interesting skiing. Good corn conditions today. Skied from 10,000 ft. at 11:00a.m. Timing is everything! Looks like another corn day tomorrow. Temps reaching over 50 degrees on the mountain.

Happy Earth Day!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

More Rain and Snow This Week!

April 10, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

This past week has been…here are the pictures~

She's Fully Covered~Nice!

Above Lake Helen~Looking Good!

Looks like it’s going to be a great climbing season!

Let me help plan your trip~http://mountshastaguide.com/trip-planner/

Wondering what’s happening at Castle Lake~

Still Good Skiing!

and the waterfalls…

Fairy Falls

Watersheds are filling up!

Lake Siskiyou, Mt. Shasta

Looks like another 2+ feet of snow on Mt. Shasta by the end of the week-

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.37062534198901&lon=-122.19818115234375&site=mfr&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

Have a great week!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Castle Lake, Fairy Falls, Lake Siskiyou, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

WINTER STORM WATCH THIS WEEK!!!

March 27, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

Everitt Memorial Highway Plowed.

April 1, 2012 Avalanche Gulch

This past week has been all about Spring Snow Showers. A little bit here, a little bit there. Here are some pics~

Sun Peaking on Casaval Ridge

Snowing Sunshine on the Ridge

Green Butte Ridge, Broadway

What’s the weather bringing for this week~

Gray Butte, Mt. Shasta

Looks like we are in for LOTS of SNOW !

CHECK IT OUT~

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.37062534198901&lon=-122.19818115234375&site=mfr&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

oh yeah…

Talk about being stuck in a hole!

With all the snow we’ve been getting, it’s good to have a ski buddy.

Don’t forget to carry the essentials~Shovel, Probe and Tranceiver.

Gerald Spini and Nita

This past week Nita the dog passed away. She was well known on Mt. Shasta. RIP… Nita.

Check out Mt. Shasta Fun Guide Spring Newsletter~

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=94deaceadd9423f5ecc47d5e3&id=da68abd15f

As always, have a great week and hope to see ya up on the mountain!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Casaval Ridge, Green Butte Ridge, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Sargent's Ridge

Winter’s Finally Here…and Spring is next WEEK!

March 15, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

We finally have a real snowpack!

Over 2 feet of freshies on a nice base and more to come.

New Snow!!!

Thursday morning we headed up Green Butte Ridge. Visibility good through the trees and not so good…

Above 8,000 ft.

It really warmed up from the day before. In this picture it’s raining making the snow conditions soft and heavy. Looks like this weekend temps should drop again bringing powdery conditions and lots of SNOW~

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.37062534198901&lon=-122.19818115234375&site=mfr&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

Mikie Shredding the First Turn!

Interesting but skiable!

BE ON ALERT- We are in Moderate to Increasing Avalanche Danger Advisory!!!

http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisories/advisories/avalanche-advisory

Don’t forget the avalanche essentials~Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel, Probe and most important, “Your Brain”.

Bunny Flat 6,950 ft.

As always, I would like to thank the County for doing a great job keeping the road plowed!

With these series of storms coming in, it’s always a good idea to a have a snow-vehicle and/or carry chains, have a shovel, extra food, water, clothing and be prepared for SNOW!

Have a safe and fun weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Green Butte Ridge, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta, Snow

Mt. Shasta…Before, During & After the WINDS!!!

March 8, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

With last weeks snow, we we’re starting to feel like winter.

Before the Winds...

The mountain starting to look good. That was until…

Blown In The Wind!

This week has brought very high winds on Mt. Shasta. The word for this day, “treacherous”!

After the Winds! 3-08-2012

This picture resembles more like what it usually looks like in May!

Hopefully a few inches of snow this weekend~

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.37062534198901&lon=-122.19818115234375&site=mfr&smap=1&marine=0&unit=0&lg=en

Keep doing the “SNOW DANCE” and have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Avalanche Gulch, Casaval Ridge, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Lower Klamath Basin Tour

February 26, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

FEB. 29 2012-SNOW ALERT~OVER TWO FEET SO FAR…

http://www.shastaavalanche.org/advisories/advisories/avalanche-advisory

Saturday, the River Exchange put on a wonderful Bird outing through Butte Valley and the Lower Klamath Basin located in the Northeastern part of California.

Beginning of Auto Tour

The River Exchange is a non-profit organization located in Dunsmuir, California that promotes healthy watersheds in Siskiyou County through community involvement in stewardship, restoration and education. http://riverexchange.org/

Northern Harrier

The Great Pacific Flyway is home to the many migratory birds as well as native birds. We saw a variety of hawks, Northern Harriers, many ducks and geese, Prairie Falcon and the Golden and …

Bald Eagle

The best viewing for the eagles are the months of January and February where numbers may peak over 500. For more information check out the Lower Klamath Basin Tour in my book~http://mountshastaguide.com/about-the-book

View south from Sheepy Ridge Lookout

We stopped for lunch at the Lower Klamath Visitor Center. Lots of good information and displays of the different birds and wildlife that are in the area.