Well... I survived.
I made it to Helen Lake after a very exhausting slog, but the next day a very strong wind (a bitterly cold wind) was blasting down on the tents at Helen Lake.
I decided that there was no chance for me to get to the summit with that strong of a wind. I was probably right. The reports I heard from people who came down that were that the wind was too strong once they hit the ridge line. It doesn't seem like anyone was able to summit that day (but that was based on only a small number of comments from other climbers).
Despite having planned for an extra night at Helen Lake if needed to try for a second summit attempt, I just couldn't convince my body or mind to stay another day up there.
I regretted that the next day, but it was too late then.
Maybe next year with a little more planning and mental preparation for the climb i can go all the way to the top. It was a fairly last minute decision to go up this year, even if Shasta has been on my list since before Whitney was.
Highlight photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wanderingjim/albums/72157695681501261All photos from this trek (including the highlight photos above):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wanderingjim/sets/72157667521725277 Oh, I finally was convinced by friends and family to do a blog (of sorts). It really is just an extension of my Flickr photo albums. It does give me a chance to put some of my future treks up as placeholders (Colorado 14ers and Kilimanjaro are the current 'Where I hope to go' entries. Older treks will have to be filled in when I have time.
http://wandering.earth 
