
This entry was made on November 2, 2009. I remember the location very well. The Red Banks are a very steep outcropping at the top of Avalanche Gulch. It is probably the most difficult (technically) portion of the climb. Why they were attempting an ascent in the middle of the night in late October is very puzzling. Most climbers go up in summer while the snow is still on the ground but the threat of a storm is less likely. To be at the Red Banks at 11 p.m. is foolhearty at best. My group also used Lake Helen as a base camp. Lake Helen is not really a lake at least most of the year. It is covered in snow and there is no water or ice on it.

On June 24, 1989 my Sterling Men's Team and I climbed Mt. Shasta in northern California. It was a physically demanding climb to 14,162 feet. The day we arrived at the top was spectacular. No wind and visibility for miles and miles. We could see Mt. Lassen just to the south. It was the first of several high altitude mountaineering adventures that I shared with this group. That's me in the middle. One of the guys carried plastic glasses and we had a sip of sparkling cider to celebrate.

1 comment:
wow. this is amazing! i bet it was very satisfying to complete. I remember doing a very SMALL climb in Montana, and it was great to really reach my destination.
Congratulations!
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