Canceled - the weather forecast is calling for lots of snow this week (in May?). This would make the climb far too difficult, or too dangerous, or both.

Join us for spring mountaineering in Lassen National Park. Due to planned repairs to the summer hiking trail, this may be the last weekend this year that it's permitted to summit Mt. Lassen.

We'll hike in from the south visitors center (6700'), up to Emerald Lake / Lake Helen (8200') where we'll camp for the night.

The next morning we'll get an "alpine start", for the climb of Mt. Lassen, which tops out at 10,457 feet.

Snowshoes or skis with skins are recommended for the approach on Saturday afternoon. For the climb on Sunday morning, snowshoes, crampons, or skis may all be feasible, depending on snow conditions.

For anyone interested in long-exposure nighttime photography, this will be an excellent opportunity. We should have a great view of Lassen, with a 97% full moon illuminating it.

This will be a strenuous activity, involving full packs with snow camping gear for the approach, and high elevations with possible wind and cold. Distance will be around 14 miles (r/t), with nearly 4000 feet of climbing.

Crampons and ice axe recommended for the climb on Sunday morning - it will be steep, and hopefully the snow will be nice and hard.

Helmets highly recommended in case of afternoon rock fall, and two sleeping pads are recommended for sleeping on snow.

• 
  GaryG

  Note: for those not interested in overnight camping, this event will be a good opportunity for a one-day snowshoe. The hike up to Lake Helen should be about 4 miles (one way), with about 1500 feet of climbing.

  Posted May 8, 2010 at 11:06 AM