The Ladies explored Mt. Shasta this May via ski/splitboard. What an experience! We started

the weekend with a meal at one of the local watering holes - Casa Ramos. After fueling,

discussing the weekend ahead, looking at pictures and maps, and talking about the potential

unsettled weather, we went our separate ways for the evening.

We arrived to gear check the next morning, fired up for the adventures ahead! After dispersing

technical gear (ice axe and crampons), navigating a few technical difficulties, packing and

repacking our things, we were finally off!

We skinned up to camp in the most special tucked away corner of Shasta. You’d hardly guess

you’re in Avy Gulch here. We had no one around us, were protected from the winds, and had

great skiing right at our doorstep.

There are plenty of places to camp on Shasta. The beautiful thing about snow camping is that

you can make camp almost anywhere, if you so desire. I’ve spent many years exploring the

nooks and crannies of this majestic place, and I’ve got my spots I like to share. It’s a show and

tell sort of deal. :).

We built out camp, melted water, cooked up some food, and hit the hay. We had a very early

wake up - 3 am. We decided to set out for a summit push, attempting to snag a short weather

window Saturday early in the day. As Shasta would have it, the weather was nothing like the

forecast. We had calm winds for our starry skin up to 10,500’. Surely enough, as we started

transitioning to crampons to begin our bootpack up The Heart, sustained winds of about 70

mph rolled in and didn’t let up. We immediately descended on icy, yet edgeable slopes back to

camp.

We were a bit bummed and defeated, but that’s part of the game. It’s just a part of climbing

and skiing/splitboarding volcanoes! We opted to make lemonade out of lemons with the rest of

our weekend regardless.

We took a nap, made some breakfast/lunch, practiced more snow safety skills like self arrest,

bootpacking steep slopes, how to transition on steep slopes, and how to ride with an ice axe.

We explored the lower reaches of Shasta, had some amazing skiing and riding (corn!!!), and the

best conversations and laughs. It’s so special spending time with other psyched women in an

environment like this. It’s judgement free, supportive, and empowering.

Overall, we had a phenomenal time on Mt. Shasta. Weather kept us at lower elevations, but

was a great teacher in making the most of what the mountains give you. We’ll be back for you,

Mt. Shasta. Until then!