Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
The West face Gully route is an alternate to the popular Avalanche Gulch south side route. It has fewer people and about the same moderate technical requirements.
Get an early start on this route to get firm snow conditions.
Activity Notes
SCHEDULE:
Leave Portland Friday May 22 early afternoon. Drive 350 miles (6 hours) to Weed, California. Night at motel. Saturday, hike in to basecamp. Sunday climb Shasta and return to camp. Monday, hike out and drive back to Portland.
APPROACH:
We will start at Bunny Flat snowpark at about 7000 feet. Hike on snow to the west and up to Hidden Valley. We will camp here at 9500-10000 feet. About 5 hours to get there. Expect to camp on snow and melt snow for water.
CLIMB:
The climb is mostly moderate (30 degree -) snow. There are few, short, steeper spots (45 degree). We will not use ropes, but you need to be competent with ice ax arrest, self belay, and crampon use. Due to the altitude (14,100 ft) you NEED TO HAVE CLIMBED MT OR HIGHER without altitude sickness problems to be accepted on this climb.
We will start out around 430AM and summit noon or a bit later. Return to camp by 730pm.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 375 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 7 hours |
| General Route Info | summitpost https://www.summitpost.org/west-face-gully/158282 mountain forecast https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Shasta/forecasts/4317 trip report http://www.climber.org/TripReports/2006/1474.html trip report and nice route photo http://www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboarding/trip_reports/index.php?PHPSESSID=bec55c26a39655fcfe2689f4ea631107&topic=884;prev_next=next redlined route photo http://www.skimountaineer.com/TR/Images/ShastaWestFace060303-1200.jpg |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in two or more days |
| Relevant Books | The Mt. Shasta Book, Selters and Zanger |
| Relevant Maps | USGS 7 minute series, Mount Shasta Google map https://goo.gl/maps/TBkprVFtUhB2 |
| Awards Qualified | 16 Major NW Peaks |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
