Marcie wants to climb Mount Shasta for her 50th Birthday in July, so we went up for a training climb and so she could learn a few basic mountaineering techniques.
The weather was perfect, the snow conditions we tolerable, and we ended up having a fantastic time climbing to Helen Lake on the Avalanche Gulch route.
Marcie learned a few basic climbing skills like layering systems, booth selection, crampon use, trekking pole techniques and the different climbing steps. Plus, proper ice axe use and self arrest skills. And because the conditions were right, she even got to glissade down from Helen Lake.
There is something very special and magical about Mount Shasta that draws you in, making one feel peaceful and untroubled, even after a hard day of climbing. I feel it every time I am there, and I think Marcie felt it too. A new mountaineer has been born.
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| Mount Shasta from the Bunny Flat Trailhead |
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| Sam in the meadow at Bunny Flat |
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| Marcie on the trail to Horse Camp/Avalanche Gulch Route |
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| A "Splattski" |
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| The Sierra Club's Alpine Lodge at Horse Camp |
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| Welcome to the Alpine Lodge |
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| "The Causeway" to Avalanche Gulch |
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| Gaining Altitude |
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| Finally on snow |
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| SPLATTSKI! |
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| Marcie higher up Avalanche Gulch |
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| Nearing Helen Lake |
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| Bivy sites at Helen Lake |
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| Almost to timberline |
Glissading Avalanche Gulch
