Mt. Shasta

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

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

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.

Pronghorn Antelope

This was a special treat. I’ve never seen these beautiful creatures up close.

Thanks again to the River Exchange for putting on an awesome trip!

Looks like we may finally be getting some significant weather on Mt. Shasta this week~

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

I’ll post updates as the snow accumulates!

Have a great week!

Filed Under: Butte Valley, Lower Klamath Basin, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Happy President’s Day Week!

February 15, 2012 By Robin 1 Comment

President’s Day is on third Monday in February and was established by Congress in 1880s. It honors George Washington, the first president of the United States and Abraham Lincoln. It also honors the legacies of the U.S. Presidents.

George Washington, Mt. Rushmore

My first park ranger job was at Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota in 1989. I volunteered through a program Student Conservation Association (SCA). It was the beginnings…

Yep...me in action!

Mt. Rushmore’s history is very interesting~

Seeking to attract tourism to the area in the early twenties, Doane Robinson, who was the South Dakota’s State Historian, came up with the idea to sculpt historic heroes of the west in the natural granite pillars.

Up Close and Personal

Gutzon Borglum, the sculpture artist hired for the project came up with the idea of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be the carved as that would attract more national interest. He later added Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt to the list in recognition of their contributions to the birth of democracy and the growth of the United States.

On George Washington's Head!!!

Back in the 1950′s, visitors were allowed to go up to the top of the monument. Due to safely and vandalism concerns, it only lasted for a short time. Fortunately, the crew I worked with had the opportunity to hike to the top.

Oh yeah…and what’s happening here in Mt. Shasta~

President's Week SNOW!

This last storm we got powder~7-10+ inches!

Come on up and enjoy the Mt. Shasta Backcountry!

Looks like wintery weather this week into the weekend on Mt. Shasta.

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

President’s Week Specials this week and weekend on backcountry ski and snowshoe tours.

Give me a call for more information~530-926-3250

Filed Under: history, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Snow is BACK…1 inch so for!

February 10, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

It’s better than none!

Avalanche Gulch Feb. 10, 2012

Good skiing from treeline down. Pretty firm and icy above treeline with an inch of new snow.

Looks like some more snow on the way…

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

Looking at Casaval Ridge from Avalanche Gulch

Sun breaking through on and off.

Bunny Flat Trailhead Feb. 10, 2012

This one’s for you Demitri!

Winter’s been coming on slowly~You Never Know what Spring will BRING!

Have a great weekend!

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

Corn on Mt. Shasta…Well Kinda!~Snow Conditions

February 6, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

After getting our first significant snowfall, powder turns into February Corn Skiing!

Avalanche Gulch at 9,400 ft.

This past weekend offered superb corn skiing or what my good friend Ed says, “Baby Corn”!

Skier Climbing up to Casaval Ridge

Coverage is good to ski from Giddy Giddy Saddle down into the Gulch.

Above Giddy Giddy Gulch 10,000 ft.

Lots of wind blown snow above 10,000 ft.

Nice ICE Slide off Casaval Ridge

Climbers Beware!!!

Looks like a little weather is moving in over the next day HOPEFULLY bringing snow!

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, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

YES……………………………………….SNOW!!!

January 24, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

Avalanche Gulch Jan. 29, 2012

Our winter has finally arrived!

In the past week,

Green Butte Ridge/Broadway

we’ve received over 4 ft. of snow!

Check out video of current conditions January 24, 2012~

Green Butte Ridge 01-24-12

Black Butte

Black Butte is starting to look sweet for skiing this season!

Mt. Shasta Ski Park is open and all three triple chair lifts are in full operation.

http://skipark.com/

My Winter Awareness Clinics are now running. First one of the season this Saturday January 28, 2012. For further details, check out~

http://mountshastaguide.com/tours-clinics/winter-awareness-clinic/

Have a great week and come check out the snow this weekend!

Filed Under: Black Butte, Mount Shasta, Mt. Shasta

Snow???

January 14, 2012 By Robin Leave a Comment

SNOW, SNOW and MORE SNOW!!!

Is it really coming???

Friday the 13th!!!

There is hope…

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

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

How desperate has it got…

Ouch!

Thursday a few of us headed up to Crater Lake, Oregon to check out the snow conditions. There’s a good 3-4 ft. I took a nice 30 ft. slider on the rocks.