Climb the West Face of Mt. Shasta in California, 3 days
Join an IFMGA-certified mountain guide for this challenging but scenic 3-day mountaineering expedition up the West Face of Mt Shasta. Challenge yourself on a slightly more difficult route, but enjoy more solitude and amazing views all the way up.
Cascade Range
3 Days
Apr - Jun
High
Highlights
* Enjoy the stunning scenery of the southern Cascade Range.
* Conquer the second highest peak in the Cascades and fifth highest in California.
* Get the satisfaction of taking a tougher route to the top.
Description
Sitting at the very southern end of the Cascade Range, Mt Shasta towers above its northern California surroundings.
Rising to 14,179 feet in elevation, the potentially active volcano offers many excellent climbing options for novice mountaineers.
Perhaps the most challenging of these, as well as the most scenic, is Mt Shasta’s West Face. While still completely appropriate for beginners, the route is more challenging than others on the peak, meaning it is generally less crowded.
Our adventure begins on day one, when we meet up in the town of Mt Shasta, check our gear and carpool to the trailhead at Bunny Flat (6,860 feet) on the mountain’s southern side.
From here, we will hike over the lower part of Casaval Ridge and descend into the Cascade Valley at the base of the West Face. We will spend the rest of the day setting up camp and going over necessary ice axe and crampon skills.
Getting an alpine start on the following day – roughly 1 or 2 am – we will begin climbing up the West Face, beginning by ascending steeply before reaching the glacier and traversing it to the top.
While the going is much tougher than other routes up the mountain, the views are incredibly rewarding. This is especially true from the top, where we will have panoramic vistas over the surrounding beauty of the southern Cascades.
After having a bit of a rest, we will descend down the West Face and spend the night at camp. The following day, we will pack it up and hike back out to the trailhead.
So what are you waiting for? Book now for this challenging but incredibly beautiful 3-day mountaineering ascent of Mt Shasta via the West Face!
If you like the look of this trip then we think you will also enjoy our 2-day ascent of Mount Shasta via Avalanche Gulch!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Permit and entrance fees
- 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.
Details
More info
Please contact us for a complete list of what is included.
Meeting point
FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
Physical Conditioning:
Climbing Mt Shasta at 14,179 ft. is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It requires both physical and mental toughness. Listed below are the minimum physical requirements we would expect for all of our clients before they show up to climb Mt Shasta via the Avalanche Gulch route:
- Be able to maintain 600 ft -700 ft feet per hr / 185 to 215 meters per hr climbing pace AND be able to maintain this pace for 1-hour increments.
- Carry a 35 lbs - 40 lbs pack / 15 kg-18 kg pack
- Be able to move efficiently off of maintained trails on hard snow, soft snow, rocks and talus. Using large step ups and step-downs, and some movements requiring the whole body while carrying a pack.
- A client who can do 750 feet per hr with a loaded pack (235 meters per hr) with 25-30 lb / 11-14 kg pack on a stair climber, stepper or stair running should have the fitness to climb Mt Shasta
- Plus, Weekend training hikes 8-10 miles /12-16 kilometers with a loaded pack 25-30 lbs /11-14 kilos over the hilly terrain a client has access too is also recommend prior to your climb.
Note: Time to basecamp on Mt Shasta is 4-6 hours and time to the summit from basecamp is 5-8 hours.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
We recommend 3-4 months before the climb if you have not been climbing or hiking extensively prior to your climb date.
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?
You will need to bring your own sleeping bag, internal frame backpack, and mountaineering boots, and crampons All are available for rent: Sleeping bags & Pad ($42.00 for 2-3 days), Backpacks ($42.00 for 2-3 days) and Boots ($45.00 for 2-3 days) Crampons ($25.00 for 2-3 days) We also have Gaitors, Down Jackets, Hard Shell Jackets, & trekking poles for rent
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
Porters are available by reservation on all Mt. Shasta climbs cost $200 each way. Porter’s loads are limited to a maximum of 45 lbs.
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
Our guides will be providing hot water for hot drinks, instant cereal, freeze dried dinners and for filling water bottles for drinking. SWS Mountain Guides provides Tents while on the Mount Shasta.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
Weather Credits and Rescheduled Climbs & Courses:
SWS Mountain Guides aka Sierra Wilderness Seminars Inc. reserves the right to reschedule seminars and courses due to severe weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances which make the course or climb unsafe to continue. Weather Credit or Weather Partial Credit will be given for courses or climbs during or within 24 hrs of the course start dates if severe weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances make the course or climb unsafe to continue. Our decision will be at the discretion of the climb leader and the Director(s) of SWS Mountain Guides.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
We recommend trip cancellation insurance.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
1:3/4 guide to client ratio
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
Best time for a Summer Ascent of Mt Shasta via West Face is April to early June.
Can I join a group?
Yes, you may join a group; please see the regular schedule departure listed. You may also request a custom climb of Mt Shasta with your departure date with 3 to 8 climbers. The price is the same as our group rate. For less than three climbers, the cost for a private / custom climb is two climbers: $575.00 per person per day / 1 climber $700 per day plus Explore-Share fees.
About the guide
SWS
4.70
(22)
Mountain 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
Osly
3.00
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.
Magdalena
5.00
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!
5.00
Had an amazing experience climbing Mt. Whitney with Richard & Tim. They were excellent guides and safely got us to the summit and back.
5.00
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.
5.00
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.
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