It takes a little bit of motivation, some camping supplies and a decent level of fitness, but don’t let that stop you from skiing Mt Shasta this summer. My trip up the Brewer Creek (eastern) Route in August 2005 was one of the most exhilarating experience of my life. Because it was late in the season, we hiked up to the snow line, set up camp there, and woke up around 4 am to start our ascent. The snow turned pretty slushy as we neared the summit around noon, but most of the 7,000+ foot descent was creamy corn! Here’s an article with lots of details on how to ski the main route >

After our recent storm and all the ones that hit in January, the snow levels in the mountains are high (a friends’ 7-year-old skied Squaw’s Main chute yesterday) and I’m off to the tropics! I leave for Hawaii tomorrow for some diving, snorkeling, surfing and general beach loungery. Sadly, I won’t be skiing or writing during the week I’m there. But you can ski on Hawaii. Mauna Kea on the Big Island is almost 14,000 feet and covered with snow. You can drive to the top and the 360-degree view from the summit is spectacular. I’ll try to grab some photos of it while I’m there. Aloha!

Skiers are trying to qualify for the 2008 Subaru Squaw Valley USA Open Freeskiing Finals today in Enchanted Forest. The finals will be held tomorrow in the C2 area.