Mt. Shasta

I finally made it to Shasta! Incredible place to be, it should be on everyone's list.

At 14,179 feet this is the second highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth highest in California. Mount Shasta is the most voluminous stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.

The entrance to the trail is at 6300 feet where I slept one night to get acclimated to the altitude. The next day, I joined a group of mountaineers (met them for the first time) and began my journey at 12 pm, hiking in dense snow and carrying my backpack with almost 30 lb of camping and snow equipment. I arrived near Lake Helen (10,000') at 4:30 pm where at set camp. Most mountaineers sleep by 8 pm as the next trip begins any time after 1 am so the snow is not iced. I began to ascend at 3:30 am.

I would say there were over 100 other mountaineers besides me attempting to reach the summit before the sunrise. I joined the group and climbed Avalanche Gulch to Misery trail 12650' where unfortunately, felt sick with altitude illness; I began to shake, got sick to my stomach, could not breath and then almost passed out. I had to descend immediately to feel better. After I recovered, it was fun sliding down the hills on the snow.

It was indeed the most amazing adventure I had had. I learned many good mountaineering techniques and hopefully next time I reach the summit.

Enjoy the pictures!

Lake Aloha/ Horsetail Falls - June 26, 11

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It is summer and there still is snow at the mountains. I did not want to miss an opportunity to play in the white and fresh snow.

Located at the West of Lake Tahoe, Lake Aloha is at the top of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, part of the Desolation Wilderness.

I started the hike at 6000' and gained about 2000'. Going up hill is a challenge and a rock climber's paradise. Once at the top, it was a winter landscape of trees covered with snow. The lake was still a frozen and just a few melted spots where one could see the crystal clear blue water.
The water fall was amazing! I stood up near it to get some fresh water and to cool off from the heat; it was about 80 F.

One of the nicest places to hike. I hiked a total of 11 miles RT and did it in about 5 hours total.
Enjoy the pictures!