The Mt. Shasta Book: A Guide to Hiking, Climbing, Skiing, and Exploring the Mountain and Surrounding Area

The "Mt. Shasta Book" is a bit of a misnomer. The title would imply that it is a mountaineering guide to the Mount Shasta volcano in northern California, which it is, but it is so much more. In addition to describing the fourteen climbing routes on the mountain (with variations), the guidebook also details many hiking trails, ski and snowboarding routes, boating, rafting and kayaking rivers and mountain biking trails throughout the region. In addition, the book adds many interesting photographs and maps to complement the text. It is the only guidebook that I am aware of that presents a plan for hiking around Mount Shasta.The second edition (March 2001) completely updates the guidebook in terms of visitor information and contacts, photographs, trail conditions, and a wonderful new 17" x 24" 7.5 minute topographical map of the mountain with all trails and routes clearly marked and with an index to place names. The new edition has 48 more pages than the first, but some of it is due to a slightly larger, easier to read, type. Nevertheless, many of the sections have been expanded, especially water activities and snowboarding routes. New sections have been added to tell the history of the first climbs of Shasta, the placement of a geodetic monument on the summit in the 19th century and the discovery of glaciers on the mountain.The Mt. Shasta Book is highly recommended. Those who own the first edition will want the revised edition as well.