Hari and I attempted the Avalanche Gulch route up Mount Shasta last Friday but were turned around by fierce winds on the upper part of the mountain. The gusts became so strong as we ascended that movement became restricted to periods between gusts. The worst part was the ferocious storm of ice crystals pelting the face at over 50 mph. The photographs below deceptively depict a calm, sunny day. While conditions improved as we descended back to the parking lot, the upper mountain was still howling (as evidenced by the ice crystal cloud hovering over the summit). I learned that winds are critical on Shasta and I will return to finish out the climb in more favorable conditions.
Leor Pantilat's Adventures