by Location In general, things are sorted with the newest items near the tops of albums and galleries. Photography by Jonathan Ley » California » Northern California » Mt. Shasta Annular EclipseThe 2012 annular eclipse as seen from a meadow east of Mt. Shasta. Of course, this kind of a view could be from anywhere... but you'll have to trust me on this.Green-tailed TowheeWhat was most amazing about this sighting was that it was right in the very middle of the 2012 annular solar eclipse. I had never seen one previously. It's not the greatest photo, but the first one I got of this bird.Early RisersClimbing a mountain like this usually involves a very early start - in this case, about 3am. This helps ensure good snow conditions for much of the climb. It also means the climber will be headed down before the real heat of the day, which is a time when things melt, and the danger of rockfall increases. We were helped a bit by a full moon, which illuminated the snowfields. The lights of Mt. Shasta City are below.LassenLassen Peak can be seen in the distance here. It is the southernmost of the Cascade volcanoes, and rises 10,462ft. It last erupted in 1915.Misery HillMisery Hill is a gentle slope rising from 13,400ft to 13,800ft. It's called this because many of the climbers are just feeling the effects of the altitude at this point, and enduring a bit of misery.Onward and UpwardA stream of eager climbers heads toward Helen Lake, up on the snowfields of Mt. Shasta. Helen Lake is atop the rocky ridge about 2/3 toward the top of this photo. The upper route can be seen in this photo as well. At the top of the snowfield are some reddish rocks known as the Red Banks. About 3 snow fingers lead through the rocks. Our route headed through the left-most of these.Red BanksAt the top of Avalanche Gulch, the route worms through this narrow channel in a rock formation called the Red Banks.Shadow of the MountainAs the sun rises, the shadow of Mt. Shasta is drawn over the land below.Snow and RockCasaval Ridge makes a dramatic backdrop as a climber heads toward Helen Lake. Helen Lake is not really much of a lake... more of a minor depression in the otherwise smooth steady slope of Avalanche Gulch.Snow and SunThe high elevations, glaring sun, and persistent winds make some bizarre patterns in the snow fields atop Mt. Shasta.Summit BlockFrom the top of Misery Hill, the climbers get the first good view of the actual summit block of Mt. Shasta. The route continues to the left of this formation.SunbeamsSun pokes through the clouds and haze illuminating the forested hills to the south.Sunset SilhouetteA view over Casaval Ridge as the sun turns the sky to pink and lavender.The SummitThe actual summit of the mountain is this pile of rock. From here, it's all downhill...UpA small group of guided climbers heads up the slopes of Avalanche Gulch.WelcomeInside the shelter a sign welcomes visitors in dozens of languages.
