View of Shasta from Northwest View of Shasta from Southeast Last Light on Lassen Sunset from Emigrant Pass Sunrise on Lassen Peak Alex Explores a Stream Climbing Towards the Northeast Face Alex Atop a Glacier Table View of Shasta from Lassen Slopes Climbing Towards the Summit Struggling Towards the Summit Lassen Summit Monument Looking Down the South Side Lassen Summit Photo Skiing the Northeast Headwall Skiing the Northeast Face Skiing through Slide Debris Skiing the Last Finger of Snow Map of the Climbing/Skiing Route Snowy South Side Parking Lot Fumaroles at Sulphur Works View of the South Side of Lassen

I had been planning to do a week-long ski mountaineering trip to the southern Cascade volcanoes for quite some time, and throughout June had been eagerly awaiting a good weather and schedule window. Finally the schedule dropped into place, and even though the weather forecast looked questionable, we decided to go for it. The weather was supposed to be clearer further south, and the 6-10 day forecast outlook was good. My friend Alex Cronin and I set off from Seattle the morning of Thursday, June 17, driving down Interstate 5 under cloudy skies much of the day. A few sun breaks in southern Oregon boosted our spirits, but the gray skies soon returned. As we crossed into California, I got my first view ever of 14162 ft (4317 m) Mount Shasta. The mountain grew ever larger, soon dominating the southern horizon. This photo was taken from an overlook on I-5 north of Weed, with Shasta towering almost 12000 ft above the surrounding plains.