TO CLIMB MT SHASTA, YOU NEED: summit pass ($25), wilderness permit (free) and human waste pack-out bag. All of these items are available for self-issue at OPEN trailheads or the Mt Shasta/McCloud Ranger Stations and The Fifth Season store in downtown Mt Shasta. Have your pass handy as rangers WILL check.

A recent heat wave has kicked off peak climbing season. Conditions are good on Mount Shasta and the weather this weekend looks favorable for summit attempts. Current snow surfaces are smooth and firm on the upper mountain. This has resulted in several "slide-for-life" slip and fall rescue's over the past few weekends. Don't under estimated the importance of proper self-arrest, ice axe and crampon use. Wear a helmet. Low elevation snow is melting quickly. Bunny Flat and Northgate trailheads are open. You can walk on snow from the Bunny Flat trailhead. Northgate requires about one mile of trail hiking before you reach consistent snow.   On the east side, Brewer Creek TH is still a ways out, with over 5 road miles. Clear Creek TH is approximately 2.1 road miles out. Patchy snow exists down to about 6,000 to 6,500 feet and more consistent snow above 7,000 feet.

Rangers on Mount Shasta have two main goals: Climber safety and mountain cleanliness. Keep these things in mind when you come to visit. We've had several search and rescue incidents lately involving our two most common occurrences: slips and falls and climbers getting lost in whiteouts. We strive to prevent these types of accidents. Decrease the chance of a slip, fall and slide-for-life by practicing self-arrest with your ice axe. Avoid getting lost by carrying navigation tools, know how to use them and quite simply, don't climb into deteriorating weather/whiteout. Make good decisions. Leave summit fever at home. It's up to you to plan ahead and prepare properly. Have the courage to turn around if this seems like the best decision. Keep your group together. Watch out for party members of lesser experience. As always, check the weather forecast before heading up. The NWS Rec Forecast is a good one as well as the NWS Discussion.  Remember, it's required to purchase a summit pass to ascend above 10,000 feet, even if you don't plan on going to the summit.

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