Mt Shasta West Face with Daron Rahlves

Daron Rahlves skiing perfect corn high on the West Face of Mount Shasta. Photo: Zeb Blais.

We couldn't have timed conditions better for our West Face summit and ski descent on Mt Shasta with Daron Rahlves. With warm temps at night and high winds forecast, we were apprehensive about the climbing and skiing conditions. But, as they say, chance favors the bold and we set out to see what the West Face had to offer for spring skiing on Thursday and Friday.

Heading into camp at Hidden Valley on Mt Shasta. Photo: Zeb Blais.

After a gear check in town, we launched from Bunny Flat, heading to camp at Hidden Valley. Other than one other Blackbird Mountain Guides' team at camp, Hidden Valley was deserted! Another nice feature was that there were a few melted out tent spots which allowed us to hang out and dry our gear on the warm rocks at camp.

Swinging by Horse Camp on the way to Hidden Valley.

Daron Rahlves and guests checking out Horse Camp on the way to Hidden Valley. The spring is flowing - thanks to the rangers for digging it out! Photo: Zeb Blais

We settled into our SlingFin tents, made dinner and got out for a quick evening lap above camp with an incredible sunset for a backdrop. A little cloud cover and evening cooling provided Daron and one of our guests with some nice bonus turns for the day!

Camp at Hidden Valley on Mt Shasta's West Face. Photo: Zeb Blais.

Timing the next day's descent for optimal corn conditions, we woke before sunrise and started out. Skinning conditions were good and we were able to skin to 11,200'. (Skinning was possible above, but we stopped in a great spot and transitioned to boot crampons where it was comfortable to do so). The was some punchy snow between 11200 and 11600', but above that climbing conditions were perfect: frozen-solid corn that was impenetrable by boots.

Daniel Z and Daron Rahlves enjoying the misery high on Mt Shasta while skinning the last strip of snow on Misery Hill. Photo: Zeb Blais.

At the top of the West Face, the previously forecast wind reared its (not-as-ugly-as-anticipated) head. It was enough to keep the snow on the top of the West Face cold for a bit longer than it might have otherwise been, but wasn't pushing us off of our feet. We found a bit of shelter from the wind at the base of Misery Hill, and from there we were able to skin up the last strip of snow on the climber's left side.

Our team on the summit of Mt Shasta with Daron Rahlves. Photo: Zeb Blais.

Remarkably, the winds on the summit were much weaker and we enjoyed a leisurely time on top to give the snow a little time to soften. After enjoying the top, we moved back toward the West Face.

We began our descent from the top of the West Face at 12:45 with firm snow. The hard snow quickly softened, and by 13,000' we were skiing perfect corn that lasted until just above camp.