Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Shasta

Click to see pano larger

The Sunset over Mount Shasta. A very enchanting place. From the locals you hear stories about aliens, strange lights and clouds, Lemuria and special cave entrances, disembodied beings and Native American spirits. People go here to be enlightened, cults visit for their cult activities and the town at the base is full of esoteric anomalies. I'll have to post a picture of the gas station converted into a crystal shop. The psychic readings happen in the converted fridge area where beer and chocolate milk used to be.

But it's definitely not all fun and games. Shasta is still one of the highest peaks in the US, only 326 feet shy of Mount Whitney. Many people under the spell of their mystic experience tempt the power of nature, and generally lose. Last year a guy practicing in a meditation group at one of the lower camps was (according to the rest of the group) called to do something on the mountain, so he took off his shoes and tried to climb, wearing only a t-shirt and sweatpants. He was found dead the next day. Only 19 years old.

Nature is a funny thing. You start feeling all warm and fuzzy enshrouded in a beautiful afternoon glow and surrounded by happy moss covered trees. You start thinking nature is on your side. That it loves you and would never hurt you. I guess that's when it's easy to do something stupid.

** These pictures are taken from a watchtower in Shasta Lake.