Around the Mountain Photo Tour...snow coverage and route updates

• Heat related hazards like wet loose avalanches, rockfall and soft, mushy snow can all be avoided by climbing and descending steep slopes before the warmest time of the day. Note that the east side gets sun first...start early! To climb from trailhead to summit is about 6.5 miles and 7k vertical, which takes most climbers in good shape 6-8 hours in a single push. 
• Pay attention to overhead hazard. Snow is melting out and rockfall will continue to increase. There isn't a stable piece of stone on the mountain. Wear a helmet. The lower half of the mountain is quite safe. The upper half is where most hazards exist. Ice axe, crampons, helmet... check!
• If climbing and sking from Brewer Creek trailhead, mark the trailhead on your navigation device. Skiers get lost and miss the trailhead often upon their descent below treeline.
• The Clear Creek route is mostly melted out. Climbing on snow is still possible in some sections. Crampons may be necessary.
• The top of the West Face is beginning to melt out
• Shastina is still possible via the Lightning Bolt Couloir (top melted), or Cascade Gulch
• Avalanche Gulch is in decent shape. Their is a thin strip of snow passable through the left chute of Redbanks, or go around through "the notch", by The Thumb. Be cautious of the bergshrund of the Konwakiton Glacier.
• Hotlum-Bolam route is in good shape. Some route finding involved. You can avoid glacier travel and necessary equipment hauling if you stick to the traditional route.

Call us for questions on any of this! We are happy to help plan your next adventure -- Mt Shasta Climbing Rangers office 530-926-9614 - We're not always there, but we will call you back!

While some smoothish snow may be found here and there, sun cups dominate snow surfaces. Be careful sking down with tired legs and sun cups, a good recipe for crash and injury.
Snow line on the mountain is about treeline, ~8,000-8,500 feet