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Mt. Shasta late summer ascent via the Clear Creek Route, 2 days

Mt. Shasta late summer ascent via the Clear Creek Route, 2 days
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Join an IFMGA-certified mountain guide for this challenging yet fun and scenic 2-day ascent of northern California's Mt Shasta via the Clear Creek Route. Hike, scramble and climb your way to the top of California's fifth highest mountain and enjoy great views all along the way.

Cascade Range

2 Days

Aug, Sep

High

Beginner


Highlights

  • Enjoy the stunning scenery of California's Cascade Range.
  • Conquer the second highest mountain in the Cascades.
  • Make your way through remote and challenging scenery before getting to the top.

Description

Rising to 14,179 feet above sea level, Mt Shasta has an imposing presence over the northern California skyline.

The potentially active volcano is the second highest mountain in the Cascade Range and the fifth highest in California.

Climbing to the top of the peak is immensely popular all summer long, but heading on a late summer ascent via the Clear Creek Route is always something special.

The route meanders in between the slopes of Mud Creek Canyon, before heading up along the ridge that passes between Konwakiton Glacier and Watkins Glacier until it reaches the summit.

This trip is perfectly suited for novice mountaineers. It is not too technically challenging (less so that the Avalanche Gulch Route is), but requires a high level of physical fitness.

Depending on how the summer was, we may need to climb with ice axes and crampons, but otherwise the climb mostly involves scrambling over scree and talus.

Once we have gotten to the top at around noon on the second day, we will get to enjoy the fruits of our labor and take in the magnificent views of the southern Cascade Range in northern California.

We will then head down the way we came and pack up camp before returning ot the trailhead.

So what are you waiting for? Book now for this fun and scenic 2-day ascent of Mt Shasta via the Clear Creek Route!

If you like the look of this trip then we think you will also enjoy our slightly more challenging  3-day ascent of Mt Shasta's West Face!

Price includes

  • Guiding fee
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Permit and entrance fees
  • Tents
  • Rope
  • Harness
  • Helmet

Price details

  • Price includes: Professional instruction/guide, breakfast(s), freeze dried dinner(s), 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, highcalorie, 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

Mt Shasta, California

Equipment you will need to bring

Crampons

Ice axe

Harness

Water bottle

Backpack

Helmet

Sunglasses

Belay device


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:

  1. 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.
  1. Carry a 35 lbs - 40 lbs pack / 15 kg-18 kg pack
  1. 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.
  1. 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
  1. 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 3-5 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 boots. 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) 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 Clear Creek Route is late July to through September.

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

Guide profile image

SWS

4.8

(28)

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

Request more information

What people are saying about SWS

Such a difficult, but the most amazing experience! Something you will never forget!

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!

Life changing experience!!

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.

The hike was great and I got exactly I wanted.


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