Having had two of my backpacking trips (Ohlone Wilderness and Pt Reyes) cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis, I was really feeling trapped at home. When the Mt Shasta Wilderness opened up, I saw a glimmer of hope.
I had already planned on trying to reach the summit this year, but the low snow fall and closures made it unlikely. In fact, as soon as they opened it, the area had a HUGE storm go through which precluded going that weekend, plus the fresh snow could have causes issues.
I prepped my winter backpacking gear in case the opportunity presented itself. 4 season tent, -20 degree sleeping bag, snowshoes, snow shovel, and snow boots. And an ice axe and crampons for the final climb up Avalanche Gulch. My previous Winter backpacking trips and two prior Mt Shasta attempts allowed me to be ready should conditions allow.
It ended up being a last minute go/no go decision, but I ended up driving up early one morning. I reached the Bunny Flat trailhead around 9am and got the permits taken care of and headed up to Horse Camp.
That was the easy part of the climb. 2 miles in 2 hours, but mostly gentle slopes to climb.
After that, the big grind began. Snowshoes on, I started up. The climb to Helen Lake was only 2 miles, but it was 2,500 feet up very slushy snow on a steep slope.
About half way up, my energy and willpower stopped me. Despite my taking some long rests and trying to continue towards Helen Lake, by late afternoon I decided I was not going to make it that day.
Instead of aborting back down to Horse Camp or even all the way back to the trailhead, I decided to at least enjoy the mountain for a night. And there was always the chance I’d have the energy to try to continue upwards the next morning (I had two nights of food with me, if needed).
So I found a mostly flat area and used my shovel to make it flat enough to setup my tent.
It was warm enough that I didn’t have to hide inside my sleeping bag for the rest of the day. I did see the sun set behind Casaval Ridge as I cooked dinner.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to go up to the summit from there, so slept in until sunrise. I thought about trying to continue up towards Helen Lake, but couldn’t get the motivation or energy to do it.
Packing up my gear and I starting down, I did get a great view of the sun rising above Sargents Ridge with a fabulous halo surrounding the sun. Not something I’ve seen before, so that was at least something to make the trip worth it.
I don’t know if it was my lack of altitude acclimatization, the long drive tiring me out, or just not being ready for a 40+ pound pack after a long Winter and even longer Spring, but my third attempt at Mt Shasta ended even sooner than my previous two attempts. Both of those attempts got me to Helen Lake, and on the last one I got all the way to the top of the Red Bluffs.
In retrospect, I should have gone up a day earlier and just climbed to Horse Camp the first day to give me a chance to get used to the altitude. Then I could have taken my time to get to Helen Lake, and my summit attempt on the third day. I guess my success in reaching Helen Lake in one day on my previous two attempts clouded my judgment on this quickly put together climb.
Third time was not the charm.
Next year.
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