May, 2008 Shasta?

Planning a first ascent attempt on Shasta via Avalanche Gulch this coming weekend (May 10, 11). Will use bits and pieces of all the great information found on these boards but still looking to see if anyone has any comments or suggestions related to recent conditions. Thanks, and I am happy to be a new member of this community!

You'll find some fairly current information here:
www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php...ostorder=asc&start=0

The best call, as it were, is to call The Fifth Season on the phone:
530 926-3606.
Other online options are to track the ttips perennial "Shasta Stoke" thread, or use this conditions page:
www.shastaavalanche.org/reports.htm
The latter sometimes lags a bit, which is why I recommend the 5th season phonecall instead.

Looks like it's going to be a pretty good weekend weather wise. Climbing Avy Gulch is still in okay shape. If you plan on skiing, it's good from about Helen Lake and below. This year we are below are average snowpack above tree line. Everytime we got snow, wind events followed blowing away lots of snow. At the Heart around 12,000 ft, it's getting boney. The route is to the right of the route and it's pretty choppy. If you plan on skiing, the coverage is better to the left of the Heart but a bit steeper. The best passage above the Heart is at the Red Banks through the middle shoot. The mountain is looking more look late June conditions. The West Face is still in good shape for skiing as the Hidden Valley area.
FYI- the shastaavalanche.org site will not be updated for awhile. It's down. Just give the ranger station a call 530-926-4511 or better yet if your around Friday before 4:30 stop by and check out the power point presentation on the avy gulch route.
Happy Skiing!

Thanks for all the great quick info! I noticed the shastaavalanche page was on perpetual summer mode. Wanted to ski left of heart anyhow, so I hope the snow is still sufficient. I know I wont make the ranger station before 4:30. Anyone know if the ppt Telewoman refers to is available on-line...because that would be pretty sweet.

Can't wait to get there...this trip has been on my back-burner for a while!

summited via avy gulch last weekend. beautiful weather, alas no snow sliding equipment (partner doesn't bc ski, but after seeing everyone skiind down is very interested!).

the short summit face was, by observation and sound, icy survival skiiing even later in the afternoon. so was misery hill (refrozen sastrugi-like ice mixed with some softening snow around 2 pm)

down below misery hill was soft and is going away fast. left of heart looks much better than Right.

have fun...