Hotlum-Wintun Ridge - Mt Shasta

Got a call last Monday from Drew who was up in the PNW, good looking weather forecast, reports of smooth snow above 8500', and positive beta from ASI's newsletter and my friend SMG guide David Marchi so we decided to take a shot at Mt Shasta this weekend. The forecast headed down hill a bit by the end of the week, chance of thunder showers Friday, Saturday night, and Sunday but Saturday still was "mostly sunny" so we decided to make a one day push up the Hotlum/Wintun Ridge Route.

The day started out looking promising:

But clouds started coming and going:

And eventually it looked like this:

After ~5300vf we decided to turn around at the point where the route crosses the ridge and makes a steep climb to the summit.

Drew and I took video of the ski down which I'll try to edit and post soon. The top 2500 feet or so was perfect, smooth corn, some of the best I've ever skied!! The snow transitioned a bit down lower but still wasn't sticky at all and great to ski. The last 800 feet or so was a bit sun cupped, but Drew still gives it a thumbs up! It was about 1000 foot hike between snow line and the car.

Shasta once again delivers!