Nuckolsandwiches: Shasta Part Deux

Some of you may remember the tragic Shasta post from last year, where I spent one of the coldest, most miserable nights of my life.

But this year, on June 22, we made it to the top! This was my fourth Cascade volcano, and my second 14,000 foot peak.

Some trip notes:

Experiencing both the summer solstice and the Supermoon on a mountain at 10,500 feet was magical.

I noticed that there weren't many women on the mountain and that Melissa and I were the only all-women team. That somehow made it even more satisfying when we passed groups of men on their way up or after they had given up and were on their way back down.

The smell of sulfur is so strong on Shasta, and it makes dealing with the altitude even more difficult. It's cool to think about how alive the mountain is and to wonder when it is going to blow again.

I liked the variety of terrain on Shasta: snow fields, narrow canyons, rock fields. And everything was made even more beautiful by the fact that we had the perfect weather window: sunny, no wind, comfortable temp.

Melissa kept telling me that I was stronger and more efficient than when we did Adams and Rainier last year. I give credit to my training with the Mountaineers and my boot camp instructor at the gym.

True confessions: I ate the cold leftovers of my re-hydrated mountain meal for breakfast. Typing that makes me want to gag a little.

I stabbed myself in the thigh with my ice axe while I was glissading down. At first, all I noticed was the small puncture in my pants, and then later I noticed blood and a bruise. We ran into a guy who had completely mashed up his hip with his ice axe and looked like he was on his way to the hospital.

Friday 3 pm - Depart from Bunny Flat trailhead, approx 7,000 ft.
Friday 7 pm - Arrive at Helen Lake and set up camp, approx 10,500 ft.
Saturday 6 am - Depart for summit approach
Saturday 11 am - Summit! 14,179 ft.
Saturday 2 pm - Arrive back at Helen Lake and break down camp
Saturday 6 pm - Back at the trailhead and the cars