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Climb Mt. Shasta in California via the Hotlum-Bolam Ridge route, 3 days

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Ascend the Cascade Range on Mount Shasta via the Hotlum-Bolam Ridge on a 3-day climb with fully-qualified SWS Mountain Guides.

Group

Cascade Range

3 Days

Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Extremely Fit

Intermediate


Highlights

  • Ascend the Cascade Mountains and summit Mount Shasta.
  • Capture the scenic beauty of wild California.
  • Benefit from having a fully-qualified guide with you all the way.

Description

Standing at the southern end of the Cascade Range in California is the volcano of Mount Shasta, the second-highest in the mountain range.

Measuring 4,322 meters above sea level, the volcano provides spectacular natural views and challenging climbs.

Our ascent will follow the Hotlum-Bolam Ridge that is ideal for intermediate climbers seeking to heighten their experience on alpine routes.

Ascending the summit will reward you with vistas of distant northern California as well as southern Oregon. During clear days we’ll be able to glimpse Mount Hood in the Southern Cascades.

As well as climbing you’ll be instructed on a number of techniques ideal for intermediates. Beginning with basic crampon use, ice axe belay, and glissading, we’ll move on to proper usage of rope, quick safety belays, ice anchors and team techniques.

If there’s time then we’ll develop other areas of climbing skills, such as pacing technique, and route selection and decision making.

Once we arrive on the north side of Mount Shasta we will hike to camp that lies at the base of the Hotlum-Bolam Ridge. After acclimatizing we’ll begin our ascent to the summit via the ridge.

Basic mountaineering skills and experience is necessary to join this climb.

Get in touch now to reserve your place on a 3-day climb to the summit of Mount Shasta via the Hotlum-Bolam Ridge in California.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Dinner

- Rope

- Harness

- Helmet

- Ice axe

- Camping equipment tents

Price details

Price includes: Professional instruction/guide, breakfast(s), freeze dried dinner(s), ice axes, helmets, harness, group equipment including ropes and safety equipment, group camping equipment including tents and stoves, permits, and license fees including Mt. Shasta summit fees. Mountaineering Boots, Snowshoes (early season), and Crampons are NOT included but are available for rent. Please check with us for the full rental equipment list. Food: Group breakfast(s), dinner(s), and hot beverages included. Please bring your own favorite, high-calorie, high-carbohydrate lunches and snacks. Examples: bagels, cheese, dried fruit, trail mix, Clif bars, chocolate, etc.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join a group?

Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?

What happens in the event of bad weather?

How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?

Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?

Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?

What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?

What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?

How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?

What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?

About the guide

Since 1981, we have been California's leader in guided mountaineering. From the Eastern Sierra to Mt. Shasta, we guide all of California 14ners and internationally.

Languages

English

Certificates

IFMGA | AMGA


What people are saying about SWS Mountain Guides

Silvia Alonso

5.00

July, 2023

The traveller did not leave a comment.

Mikael Brandrup

5.00

June, 2023

One of the best experiences we ever had. Amazing trip with lots of excitement, challenges and action - all in the most beautiful scenery. Our guide Matt played a crucial role making this trip a life time experience. Hi-fives to Matt and thanks for being the best guide! Best, Gustav and Mikael

Loren Sweet

4.00

September, 2022

Had an amazing experience! What memories but must be honest, we were in over our head. Feel we were physically up to it but we went from sea level to 10,000 feet in 30 hours and it was a challenge to keep up. Some time to acclimate would have made a big difference. The guides were careful and supportive. We were outside our comfort zone for sure but also realize that made it so memorable! Thanks Loren

Jon Niswander

5.00

July, 2022

Life changing experience!!

Theodora C

5.00

January, 2022

I have summited some amazing peaks, but Mt. Whitney has stolen my heart. From her diverse landscape, to the ever changing appearance of her face each hour of the day; she is a wild beauty not easily put out of your mind. This Jersey girl hiked/climbed/scrambled-up/slid-down the Mountaineer’s Route, which was both physically and mentally challenging but, incredibly fulfilling. My guide, Matt M., was confident, extremely knowledgeable and skilled, and I am pretty sure part mountain goat. Best guide I have ever had, prettiest mountain I have ever been on; if you are considering this hike, I would say DO IT!

Bryan Vidinsky

5.00

January, 2022

Fantastic guide service! I have skied with a number of guides over the years and I have to say that the guide we booked through SWS was one of the most knowledgeable, instructive and fun guides I have spent time with on the mountain. From the pre-trip communication all the way through the climb and ski down, I felt that I was in good hands, which was really important to me as my climb/ski partner was my 17 year old son. Our trip was epic, 4:00AM wakeup to a full moon, beautiful climb and huge ski down, my only complaint is that it was only a two day trip! Highly recommend, great experience!

Rising Percey

5.00

May, 2022

Our guides took 27 of us, all of different skill level and age range 12- 50. We all loved it! Professional, friendly, helpful and highly skilled. I highly recommend them.

Magdalena Bucka

5.00

April, 2022

This was an amazing trip and overall super positive experience with SWS Mountain Guides. I had a great guide with lots of mountain experience and many cool stories to share!

Ken Manabe

5.00

February, 2022

The hike was great and I got exactly I wanted.

Barbara J Eikmeier

5.00

January, 2021

Too bad this review does not allow six stars. SWS is professional, client focused, flexible, and has the clients best interests in mind. I can say the personnel and leadership skills of the SWS guides are among the best. You can't go wrong with SWS.

Kendra Grubb

5.00

August, 2021

Excellent experience with my guide Ben and SWS. Was able to summit Mt Whitney via the mountaineer’s route thanks to Ben’s understanding of the mountain and assessment of my capabilities. Great experience that exceeded my expectations.

Oz Pena

3.00

June, 2021

Overall, the fair evaluation for the SWS Mountain Guides and the guide assigned to me is 3 stars. Reasons: 1. The guide did not seem to remember or respect the fact that I was new to mountaineering and that the name of program is called “introduction to mountaineering...”. For example, the guide set his own time for walking and resting without any concern to my physical ability for that timing. The guide walked ahead many times and didn’t even notice when I fell a few times. I understand the guide is not the insurer of safety or a hand holder, but a complete abrasive approach to the service is not right, especially when it’s a paid service. Perhaps, the guide is not a right choice for introduction tours. 2. There was a miscommunication with timing of the summit day. I thought we would start summiting around 5am the next day; however, I was told less than 15 hours before that we would start hiking at 1am the next day from base camp. We arrived at base camp early afternoon, and I’m wired up, hot, and not prepared to fall asleep between 5pm-12am, thus, I didn’t sleep at all. I attempted the summit hike but around 12k feet the sleep deprivation was killing me and I was catching myself falling asleep and my body trying to lay down while waking. The guide didn’t seem to concerned about this. Lack of empathy. Eventually, I had to insist we turn around because I didn’t want to go beyond 30 hours of no sleep and still have to descend from the summit. 3. The guide did help set up the tent and food. The guide did explain layers of clothes on and off and why. The guide did help instruct how to pack and why. 4. Overall, I feel this guide is best suited for advanced climbers not introduction courses as he seems to be more of a “ill walk ahead of you” not “ill walk with you” type of guide.

Harshikesh Panchal

5.00

January, 2019

Had an amazing experience climbing Mt. Whitney with Richard & Tim. They were excellent guides and safely got us to the summit and back.

Michael Smith

5.00

January, 2019

Neil from SWS was amazing. We climbed the Mountaineering Route up to Mt. Whitney. It was an amazing experience. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. I leaned a lot. I would absolutely use these guys again.

Jordan Kowalski

5.00

January, 2019

My guides name was Matt and we were lucky enough to summit Mt. Whitney during the winter. This was one of the most rewarding and fun experiences I have done and SWS did a great job throughout the process. Matt was such a great guide who took the time to educate us. He was polite, understanding and very helpful throughout the climb, I felt comfortable with him right from the start and look forward to more climbs with both Matt and the SWS team. Would recommend them to anyone!


 

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