Mountaineering Pursuits

Hello Adventurers,

I'm Patrick, the new intern at Adventure Out. I'd like to tell you a little about Mt. Shasta my experience climbing it.

Mt. Shasta is a stratovolcano located in Northern California at the southern end of the Cascade Range. It is the second highest peak in the cascades at 14,179 feet, just behind Mt. Rainier in Washington. Mt. Shasta is regularly climbed in the late spring to late summer with most climbers ascending Avalanche Gulch on the southern side of the mountain. The required equipment list is extensive and includes but is not limited to helmets, crampons, ice axes, ropes, and plenty of warm layers! Climbers usually hike from the trailhead to somewhere around 10,000 feet for a night of much needed sleep and acclimation. Summit attempts start in the wee hours of the morning and it can easily be a 12-16 hour day of non-stop effort before climbers are back at base camp. Sounds like fun, right?

I headed to Northern California in early July of 2010 to attempt the summit of the majestic White Mountain with a group of friends and fellow climbers. We decided to ascend the Hotlum/Bolam route on the northeastern side of Shasta. This route is a bit more technical and steep than the southern route and offers climbers a challenging and rewarding experience. It was an amazing climb and a truly unforgettable experience. I encourage all those who dream of one day climbing a mountain to make it a reality!

Click this link to see a video of the climb

Enjoy!