Thielsen- W Ridge

On a spring road trip, we planned several Cascade objectives on our way to Utah for some sun and red rock. However, once we arrived in Bend, it was obvious the weather was not going to cooperate. I awoke the first morning to tackle Middle Sister. I was at the Pole Creek Trailhead at 4:am. Despite the one hour drive and desire to get high in the Cascades, I turned back due to ferocious winds. Later, I was told they reached 140mph on the route. We finally bailed and headed south to Shasta. On the way I took on Thielsen as nothing more than a scramble, but enjoyed the day just the same. Park at the Thielsen Trail head due west of the peak on the right hand side of hwy 138 across from Diamond Lake. We (wife and dog ascended to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) intersection for a family picnic) hiked in 4 miles to the PCT. With snow on the ground, you can lose the trail. But you are basically ascending due east gaining a north-south ridge perpendicular to the southwest summit ridge. You intersect the PCT at this point. I skinned up in back country skis until the rock exposed final 1000' (top right). The scree was frozen making for an easy steep hike at this point until the last 200' which was an exposed scramble that some will require rope for. You must swing over to the southeast section of this last pitch to find the easier climbing. In poor visibility, it is always important to continually look over your shoulder for genomes, rock outcroppings, etc. As with most any summit, atop of Mt Thielsen would not be the place to get lost. One could ski down the west face (middle right), but this slope does avalanche and was in questionable condition so I skied the ridge back, staying in the trees. Don't drop to low, keep the ridge in sight and intersect the PCT again to return. I don't necessary recommend skies. For a faster round trip, with snow conditions I was faced with, I would just take crampons (in case there is ice towards the summit). I had snowshoes, skis, skins, TV, kitchen sink....kind of felt like I was on an expedition, but hey, the Cascades are not my back yard, so I did not know what to expect. Summit pictures below. On to Shasta!