14,162 feet
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Over Memorial Day Weekend 2000, John Miksits and I had planned to do one of three routes on Mt. Shasta, depending on conditions, in order of preference: 1) Clear Creek, 2) Cascade Gulch, 3) Avalanche Gulch. All three are considered relatively easy ascents and moderate ski descents. I was quite excited about this trip. John had introduced me (as he had many others), long-distance, to backcountry skiing. I'd spent the better part of the winter and early spring working on my ski mountaineering skills - with a lot of John's help, suggestions and endless enthusiasm - getting ready for the climb and descent.
Since the accident, Craig's death and John's disappearance 12 April 2000 on Mt. Shasta, I had wondered if it would be appropriate - not to mention whether I would want to - return to the mountain. One of my partners in the initial volunteer search and rescue for our mutual friend John, Em Holland, whose presence on the mountain was key and who is a wonderful person, convinced me to come back to the mountain and climb it with her and Bruce, her partner. It didn't take much thinking. It felt like the right thing to do. We climbed the Cascade Gulch route, the same route John and Craig were climbing during the accident. We were joined by two other climbers - and now good friends - Jeff Huber and Jeff Keeney. On 28 May 2000, at approximately 10:15am, our group found John Miksits just over the col between Shasta and Shastina, in a basin about 300 feet below the saddle. John's body was finally recovered from the mountain 30 May 2000 after several days of high winds, which prevented an initial helicopter evacuation. Note: Please be advised that nowhere in this trip report is there a recognizable photograph of John's body - to publish one would be inappropriate. There is one shot later in the report of the general area where he was found, but he is absolutely indistinguishable in the shot and is very far away on the landscape. Nevertheless, you will be given the option to skip the photo if you wish. |
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