Reed and I got into into town last night around eight and after a big dinner, we drove up to Bunny Flats to crash for the night. We were both pretty tired from the 15 hour drive and skiing in the Tetons the day before, so we didn’t get going until nearly eight the next morning.
Randosteve starts up Avalanche Gulch on Mt Shasta
We left the plans open for today, and as we hiked up the mountain, we saw some nice lines just waiting to be skied in the Trinity Chutes.
Reed Finlay scopes out the lines in the Trinity Chutes
There are a few shots to ski in this area, but we skied the one in the middle, just skiers left of the rock buttress.
The Trinity Chutes on Mt Shasta
It was about 11:30 when we skied this south facing line and the top was still a little bit firm. We planned on coming back up for another run, so we didn’t want to wait for it to ripen.
Randosteve skis into the Trinity Chutes
After a few hundred feet, the snow got way better, and we skied about 2,ooo’ down to Avalanche Gulch.
Reed Finlay skis the lower half of the Trinity Chutes on Mt Shasta
One the way back up we saw someone hiking down with skis on their back. A reminder that skiing big vertical like this is not for everyone.
Big vertical like this in not for everyone
The clock was ticking and I knew the West Face was going to be ready to harvest, so we bagged going to the summit today, but we are here for three more days, so we will no doubt top out at some point.
The summit of Shasta in the distance
As soon as we skied onto the West Face, we knew the snow was in prime shape, and we skied the 3800′ non-stop.
Starting the 3800′ non-stop descent of the West Face
This was one of the best spring corn runs of my life. I don’t know if it was the snow conditions, the weather, or the company but it was definitely a stellar run.
Corn-u-copic conditions on the West Face of Mt Shasta
We are for sure heading back up the mountain tomorrow, and we are trying to hook up with Shasta Mountain Guide, Chris Carr for a locals tour. Hopefully we can make some turns together.
The karma appears good. You guys nailed the weather. Looks like perfect corn. Looking forward to more pics. Be safe.
If you get the chance scamper over to Shastina for some skiing or leave a car out by Brewer Creek on the East side and take a waypoint with a GPS. Then climb the South and ski the East for some of the best sustained skiing on the mountain. Quite the ‘corn-on-the-knob on Shasta, eh? Have fun…
Nice Steve.
skied the west face last spring and I think I would rate it best corn run I have ever had.
Snow conditions, the weather, and the company, get those 3 right it don’t matter were you are. Add in the west face of Shasta and you can’t loss.
look foward to more.
Right on guys!
Skied another run on Trinity Chutes yesterday down into Avalanche Gulch. Kinda cloudy this morning, so day off and over to Lassen.
SR
Welcome to Shasta Randosteve! Just want to shout out to all you Shasta corn harvesters to stop by Shasta Base Camp for Ski/Climbing beta. After all we are at the base of Mt. Shasta and have the most knowledgeable staff in the area.
Cheers, shastabasecamp.com
Steve,
Yeah, that was us comin down Trinity Chutes, when you guys were booting back up to head over to the W Face.
Grant, might have been better than last year bud! It was that good, and we know how good last april 28th was.
Steve Kehler and I ran into Romeo on our way down, but didn’t realize who each other was, i heard something about teton at, which struck a chord somewhere deep in the skull.
I LOVE SHASTA
Jamo