Ice, Wind & Prayer Flags

I set off for a three day solo climbing & snowboarding trip in Mt.Lassen's glorious backcountry.I was so excited to spend New Year's eve this way. However since I didn't have snow shoes I was post holeing from the get go. Three arduous miles later, I was at the first night's camp. Somewhere along the way I lost the fleece liner for my mittens, no biggie, a wool sock would do for the duration. That night was New Year's eve. Full moon,clear,beautiful! I remember thinking what a good time was in store for me. Lassen was totally covered with snow,and the ride down from the summit gives about 2000ft of wide open dream carving.

"I chose a hairy route up an avalanche chute. Looking back it was quite a stupid thing to do alone. Nonetheless I made it to the top,set up the prayer flags, meditated, and just enjoyed the view..."

The next day I set off for the summit.I had some prayer flags with me that I had brought back from India last fall. The goal was to set them up on the summit,but as I got closer and closer I started to really question my motives. I had already been up Lassen more times than I can count, so I decided to just wander,and let my feet take me where ever they wanted. Before too long I was standing at the base of Eagle peak, part of Lassen, but just to the east. I chose a hairy route up an avalanche chute. Looking back it was quite a stupid thing to do alone. Nonetheless I made it to the top,set up the prayer flags, meditated, and just enjoyed the view.

The new plan was to walk the long ridge that connects Eagle Peak to Mt.Diller, and Brokeoff Mountain. It had been a long day, and I didn't get too far down the ridge when it started to get dark. With no other choice I dug in for the night. Exposed high on the ridge I had an awesome view of Shasta,Lassen,and Brokeoff, but as it got darker it got windier. Before too long it was a total Gale!,winds up to 55mph no joking!,maybe more. My stakes were being ripped out of the ice,the wind was billowing under the rain fly like a parachute.My tent was totally flat against my body,which was being buried by spindrift.The dead weight of my body was the only thing holding down the tent, which sometimes would even lift off the ground a little bit ,and it was only 8:00pm. I still had the whole night to go. I didn't dare go out and try to reset the stakes because I knew the tent would be blown somewhere into Thousand Lakes Wilderness,just outside the door. I just held tight hoping that the winds would die down,but they never did.

Somewhere around 2:00am I figured out that if I put my feet against the side of the tent into the wind it would give the tent at least some sort of shape, but I could only do this for 10 min. or so, because all the blood would run out of my legs, then I would have to lay flat, and get clobbered by the tent again. Needless to say, I didn't get any sleet that night. I just kept telling myself that if the sun ever came up, I was gonna brew myself the biggest cup of tea, and get the heck out of there.

Around 4:30,the sun did come up,and oh boy was I gald to see it. By this time I was totally delirious, screaming, and laughing, and witnessing one of the most amazing sun rises that I have ever seen. The wind was still blowing incredibly strong. As I packed up, and tried to leave the wind sometimes would knock me down, like a big bully, but I knew that if I stood up and was strong, I would make it back. The snowboarding coming down was barely enjoyable.Frozen and wind packed, it was very technical. However the lower regions were much better, as if all the snow up top had been blown down below,it was nice fluffy powder.

Returning to my car, I had time to reflect on everything that happened. My tent poles were severely bent, and my face windburned. I knew that all my friends were partying and having fun together, and that I also would be there soon, but I had to thank the mountains and wind for humbling me, and showing me the true meaning of inner strength, and for that I an greatful. — Spencer Adkisson , Mountain Zone Pubster