Quick report
On September 8, 2024, two rangers and a friend climbed Shastina to install a new summit register and capture photos of the Whitney Glacier for an ongoing study. A truly epic Wilderness experience! Starting from Bunny Flat, we worked our way into Hidden Valley where we climbed the broad ridge to the left of Cascade Gulch before traversing back into it below the Lightning Bolt Couloir. From here, we ascended the drainage to the Shasta-Shastina saddle and worked our way back to the Whitney Glacier and around Sisson Lake before scrambling up to the summit pinnacle. On our descent, we followed the gulch on mixed snow and rock to Hidden Valley. Beyond Hidden Valley, the route is entirely off trail and primarily a 'pick your own adventure'. Conditions now can best be described as 'variable' with rocks of varying sizes making for very loose to semi-stable walking and scrambling. This looseness on steeper pitches and gullying from large precipitation events were a challenge. Careful footing is essential to navigating these sections safely. We encountered snow travel in Cascade Gulch proper and noted evidence of rockfall and sloughing from the adjacent slopes. For those looking to enjoy this less frequented part of the mountain and for a mellower experience, an overnight or two in Hidden Valley comes highly recommended!
Weather
- Cloud Cover
- clear