With a week to wait, my sights are set unflinchingly on the
white summit of Mt. Shasta. I talk of it
at every opportunity with long discourses that you might wish to avoid by not
asking questions. Every day I check the
weather and stare at the webcam: http://www.snowcrest.net/camera/
and hope that wind gusts on the summit will not reach 100 mph as recorded a few
times in the past week, and that snow in the form of horizontal whiteout takes
a break for about eight hours when I least want it. Today, the chance of snow was 80% with winds
up to 45mph and the low tonight should be around 16 degrees F.
The venture may depend on weather or ability or both. But one thing I want to be sure: that I carry
all potentially needed gear. And for
that I ask your advice on my packing list, some items of which are shown in the
picture. Please do not sit back
chuckling if I appear going off like some rank amateur. Rather, come rallying with delicately-worded
suggestions.
Tentative Packing List
Insulated winter boots
Thick socks and under-socks
Chemical toe warmers, just in case
Mitten-gloves, thickly padded, so the fingers warm each other
like bodies in a sleeping bag.
Finger-gloves to better handle the ice axe in case it’s warm
enough for finger-gloves
Crampons for traversing ice and snow
Helmet in case of falling rocks
Headlamp for the helmet so the summit attempt can begin at 2am
Thick furry head covering for under the helmet that leaves a
small circle of face
Ski mask and goggles to go under said head covering to protect
my identity
Propane stove for making water, and heating dehydrated food
The maroon dress that goes so well with strappy black
heels. This, in case my other oddities
fail to gather the attention I crave.
Are you gonna share that Clif Bar? It looks mighty tasty right about now.
ReplyDeleteUnder the "all potentially needed gear," I understand that there is some sort of personal GPS device that one can wear in case one is in some way incapacitated by the conditions. Then again, maybe one could simply take one life-saving poem. Having been born and spent a few formative years in Oregon, I also suggest a quick Berlitz course in tree-speak.
DeleteLove, Sharon R.
Yes Steven, I will gladly share it with you. Where on the mountain shall we meet?
DeleteSharon, I have no fancy thing that finds me if I'm lost, but you can begin looking in the Avalanche Gulch region on the southwest approach or along the Red Banks. You could speak to the trees about my whereabouts, but there are no trees for the final six thousand feet of climbing.
By the way, Sharon, unless you are answering Steven Radice, It is best to start a new comment rather than a reply to his. It's good to hear from you.
Many of you sent good comments and questions by email which I would like to share with everyone. I prefer that you post here, but I understand that the public forum of a blog is not for everyone. Rather than reveal your identities, I have included some of your comments anonymously, and my answers are here in brackets [ ]:
ReplyDeleteI picture the small amount of face exposed to the elements becoming thrashed w/o a skin shield. [Yes, I will take sunscreen with a high SPF, and chapstick also.]
I'm sure these necessary items were just not mentioned in the list, but besides keeping your head, hands and feet warm, how about the rest of your bod? [I will not go streaking across the ice naked with only feet, hands and head covered. I have a good jacket with layers under it, and long-johns.]
It would ease my mind to know your plans for overnight stays on the mountain. Do they have a lodge or base camp for summit attempters? Is the trail well marked? And will there be a crowd attempting it at the same time? Will you be lodging in your pup tent? And how about a sleeping bag? [I will spend two nights and three days on the mountain. The first night is at 7,000 feet in an established campground near timberline. A trail leads here, but it is probably covered with snow. Beyond here, there is no trail. The second night is far more difficult, at a place called Helen Lake, 10,000 feet elevation on about twenty feet of ice or snow, and the last decent place to camp before the summit attempt. I have a small, wind resistant tent and a good sleeping bag. Other people may be camping here for the same reason, but I am climbing alone.]
Is there actual ice climbing? Is there any need for oxygen? To my memory, this is the first adventure containing substantial risk, of course other than Pakistan, which was a cultural thing. [This not considered a “technical” climb where ropes and anchors are needed. I will have crampon attached to my boots, (spikes to keep from slipping) and an ice axe. The summit is 14, 179 feet and there should be no need for oxygen.]
The list seems pretty good, but don't forget your long underwear! :) Wintersilks, maybe? This may SEEM like a dumb question [but, as you know, there's no such thing]: seriously, have you considered having another climber go with you? I certainly understand valuing "alone" time in addition to "together" time, but in the interests of safety ... -- oh, and by the way, I think the maroon dress is a good choice, though along with it, might I suggest the stilettos with rhinestones? Just a thought. [Yes I have warm underwear and several layers of clothing. Yes I have considered climbing with someone, but have found no one that crazy.]
Thanks to all of you for your good comments and question.
Sharon
Are you bringing a small flask of some Jameson's or something?
ReplyDeleteCarrying A Hip Flask Saves the Day
(* Posted in: Flasks,News & Headlines)
"Many times people and pets alike come to the rescue. Popular stories abound like ones that follow where the rescuers had a nice hip flask with them. In some cases people and animals arrive carrying a flask of spirits. You may recall seeing St. Bernard dogs in cartoons and Saturday morning kids’ shows come to the aid of mountain climbers and other snow activists with their tiny barrel flask of beverage! Then their handler arrives on the scene, too, with a first aid kit that also boasts a flask of spirits. Now there’s a win-win!"
It sounds so cold, what you are doing! Especially from here in tropical San Juan! It seems the furthest thing from my imagination! But if it sounds appealing to you I hope you are happy in that world and get satisfaction and inspiration amidst that cold beauty... then again, you might spend most of your time in the maroon dress sipping from your hip flask and write some poems...
My small flask contains Gatorade, which I will pack all the way to Helen Lake so I have it for the summit attempt on Day 3. Does your story imply that you will come to the mountain with a dog and a flask. I do hope it does. You should understand my satisfaction with “that cold beauty” after those hours making books that at times must have seemed like summits already climbed and at other times new and never ascended by any human before.
DeleteI cannot believe you don't see the value of spirits in your hip-flask!
DeleteThanks for appreciating my work on the books! I must say some sips of something intoxicating -- yes the beauty is intoxication itself... and yes it's nice if someone comes to the mountain and pours the wine... but sometimes it is just not possible and one must pour one's own... especially if no one else dares venture there... (I speak from experience, but of a different kind... as you have explained here... yes, your individual and daring choice! I can appreciate... but eeek!
DeleteForget the stillettos and go for these:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.listspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/a272_s13.jpg
Comes with alarm!
Wishing you a wonderful journey Sharon. brave on fellow traveler!
Thank you, Lois, those are much more practical. And thanks for the good wishes.
Deletewow those are really great, better rush out for those, and we should all get matching! Good idea Lois! What are the buttons for exactly... definitely wilderness hiking shoes with GPS and a location chip?
Delete