Avalanches are common on Mount Shasta and they are a substantial threat to climbers. Recently a climber died in a fall on Mount Shasta’s Avalanche Gulch climbing route, likely of major head injuries. She was not wearing a helmet. Mount Shasta climbing accidents are all too common.
Mount Shasta Avalanche Center Courses
The Mount Shasta Avalanche Center is offering several courses over the coming weeks on increasing your safety on Mount Shasta. Here’s the details from their education page:
Avalanche Awareness presentations for 2008/2009.
These FREE 1 to 1.5 hour presentations cover the key factors which lead to avalanche formation and accidents. Learn how to recognize the clues of instability which nature provides. These introductory courses are a great starting point for avalanche education and a refresher for those who have taken courses before.
Dates and Location: Friday nights beginning at 6 pm at the Mt. Shasta City Library, 515 East Alma St., November 21, December 12, January 16, February 6.
Transceiver Clinics for 2008/2009.
These FREE courses will help you learn how to use avalanche transceivers, provide practice sessions and are designed for beginners to advanced users. Please meet us at The Fifth Season in Mt. Shasta City at 9 am. We will carpool into the field for training on snow, so dress appropriately. The Fifth Season is located at 300 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. at the intersection with Lake street. Some demo transceivers will be available.
Dates and Location: Saturdays at 9 am at The Fifth Season, 300 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd.: November 22, December 13, January 17, February 7.
Beacon Basin.
This transceiver training area is provided through partnerships between the Mt. Shasta Ski Park, the Mt. Shasta Avalanche Center and BCA Backcountry Access. It is located at the Mt. Shasta Board and Ski Park (check with the Patrol for location and hours) and allows for beginner to advanced transceiver training. Bring your own beacon to train with. This will open at the Ski park once the snow pack is deep enough in the 2008/2009 season. Stay tuned!
Those interested in basic avalanche classes, mountaineering classes, advanced seminars, glacier travel/crevasse rescue classes, guided climbs and other classes and trips should contact one of the three outfitter/guides permitted to lead trips and classes on Mt. Shasta.
Shasta Mountain Guides: 530-926-3117
Sierra Wilderness Seminars: 1-888-SWS-MTNS
Alpine Skills International: 530-426-9108Summer 2009 Mount Shasta Climbing Presentations:
These 1.5 hours presentations discuss some of the history and background on Mt. Shasta, then focus on the basic skills and equipment you need to safely climb Mt. Shasta. You will do a virtual climb of the John Muir/Avalanche Gulch route and photos from many of the other routes (easy to difficult) will be presented. Join us!
REI Sacramento, 7pm, Date TBA
REI Folsom, 7 pm , Date TBA
REI Fremont, 7 pm, Date TBA
REI Concord, 7 pm, Date TBA
REI Saratoga, 7 pm, Date TBA
Do you take all the important safety precautions when hiking in the winter? What suggestions do you have?
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