Helen Lake Hike

Having spent 9 months in the Mt. Shasta area, I decided it was about time I started going for some adventures. I used Black Butte as a conditioning hill the previous week running/hiking up in 40min, and then running down in 25min. It is a nice 2.5 mile hike up.

Today I left after church around 2pm and drove up to Bunny Flat (6900'), I brought my old Camelbak Mule, which was well stocked with water, food, tools, and some emergency medical supplies. I realized that I completely forgot my jackets, and fleeces, which almost had me considering to turn back since it was now 2:30pm, and I would be climbing up without the proper attire, but I said almost.

I lathered up in sunscreen (except I forgot the reflection of the sun off the snow, and didn't get my neck which is now fried!), put my hat and sunglasses on, and strapped on my snow shoes. I was off.

And when I go for something, I am really going for it. I charged up the mountain like it was a interval workout, and soon found out that I need more frequent breaks than I had expected.

Although Black Butte rises from 4500' to 6300', and running up and down in boots and pack is no easy feet, it didn't quite prepare me for the oxygen sucking ordeal that I had embarked on. I think running up black butte in snow shoes, pants, jacket while breathing through a snorkel might have been better prep work.

It was plenty warm, and oddly their was very little wind therefore I was able to continue the ascent despite only wearing a long sleeve T-shirt. The downfall of the warm was that it made the snow quite soft. In fact the weather was so nice, that the snow was still pliable at 10,450'. Before long I was above the tree line moving along nicely. It took me 2 hours and 20mins to reach Helen Lake at 10,450'.

 Helen Lake looks like it is a popular place to camp for the night and then do the final ascent the following day, rather than starting around 3am and traversing the whole thing in one go. When chatting with the climbers that were coming down, it was always easy to tell who made it a two day adventure via camping, or who started before the sun rose. The one dayers would typically begin the conversation with "Where is the trail head?" or "How much further?"They were exhausted.

The decent was quick, 50min quick, It was a combination of running in my snowshoes, falling all over the place, and sliding on my butt (technically called Glissading).

There was quite a bit that could of gone wrong with the whole day, but that has provided me with a vast supply of things to change and improve on for next time.

On my next outing I would like to have skis or snowblades so that the decent is quicker and easier in the areas that allow it. I would like to refrain from forgetting my extra clothing. I would like to practice how to use an ice axe effectively. I would like to give myself more time (beginning a climb at 2:30pm leaves no time for mishaps, or emergencies with nightfall approaching, and considering the waning light one is more likely to rush against the setting sun providing a much greater chance of an avoidable emergency) Finally I would like to have a partner, it is really never a good idea to go out on ones own, and it is always much more enjoyable when you can share the experience with another person. Oh and I would like to take better pictures and a video too.