Mount Shasta, California, 3 Day Guided Splitboarding and Backcountry Skiing

At around 8:00 am. we will meet at the Bunny Flat Trailhead (6,950’). Following introductions and gear check with everyone to make sure nothing has been forgotten or left behind. If any climbing gear is being provided by GSG we will distribute it at this time. Before 9:00 am, we plan to start hiking. Horse Camp, which is located at 7,900 feet, will be your dedicated campsite for the expedition. As soon as we get to camp, we'll stop for a break, set up camp, enjoy the breathtaking views Horse Camp has to offer and take a fast ski tour up to Avalanche Gulch. On this ski tour, we normally aim to gain and lose 1,000' of vertical feet. We'll head out to some low-angle snow slopes and lead an Intro to Mountaineering Course for a few hours after our afternoon tour. After the course, we'll return to camp, talk about the strategy for our summit attempt or day of skiing and riding in Avalanche Gulch, eat dinner, pack our bags for the next day, and take in the stunning sunset with our fellow skiers and splitboarders. We'll need a good night's rest because we have an early start the next day.

If you attempt the summit, you must get up no later than 3:00 am, and we must enter Avalanche Gulch no later than 4:00 am. You can sleep longer if you're splitboarding or skiing below the Red Banks. For a few hours, we will climb Avalanche Gulch before arriving at the Red Banks at 12,800'. After a short break, we'll move on in the direction of Misery Hill. We will reach one of the classic volcanos in North America and will be standing proud and tall at 14,179’ feet! We’ll enjoy the views on the summit for as long as the weather permits, snap those important summit photos and selfies, refuel and hydrate, then eventually make our way back down to camp, descending the same path we climbed. Once back to camp we’ll fire up the stove, feed our calorie-depleted bodies the nutrients it deserves, and reminisce on the incredible day we just had with a great group of people!

For those interested, we can do one more lap-up Avalanche Gulch if you have the energy! If not, we'll have a leisurely morning where we will cook breakfast, pack up our bags, and begin the descent towards the Bunny Flat Trailhead where we began our adventure. Upon arrival back to the Bunny Flat Trailhead you will return any climbing equipment that was provided, kick off those ski/splitboard boots and slip into some comfy clothes.