Join a certified guide from SWS Mountain Guides and take on the captivating mountaineering challenge of Mt. Shasta with a three-day winter ascent of Casaval Ridge, gaining valuable experience on an iconic mountain and exploring the stunning scenery of California in the high altitudes of the Cascades.
Group
Cascade Range
3 Days
Feb, Mar
Fit
Intermediate
Take on the indomitable Mt. Shasta and spend three days climbing the Casaval Ridge for a true winter adventure! This guided ascent follows a classic route to an excellent summit, providing practical instruction that will help you develop as a mountaineer and prepare you for a slew of future objectives!
Mt. Shasta, located at the southern end of the Cascade Mountains, is the fifth-tallest mountain in California. It’s 4,322-meter peak is also the second highest in the entire range. As a stratovolcano, it has developed into a complex geological objective for mountaineers because of its steep faces, glacier traverses, and high-altitude mixed climbing.
Your program will deliver you all of these climbing gems as you take three days to reach the summit. Following the popular Casaval Ridge Route, we will encounter steep rock faces, jagged ascents, and unbelievable views all the way up to the top. The ascent is perfect for intermediate and advanced mountaineers who have previous experience with crampons and ice axes.
The trip will start early from our offices, heading to the Bunny Flat Trailhead on the south side of the mountain. Snowshoeing to the base camp at Casaval Ridge puts us at 10,000 feet (about 3,050 meters) and ready to push for the summit on the following day.
For optimal conditions, we begin the summit day at around 2:00am with the intention of returning to the high camp by late afternoon. The final day is reserved for breaking down the camp and returning to the trailhead.
Our route will feature steep terrain and exciting technical maneuvers. The climb will combine a review and monitored application of techniques before putting them into practice on the challenging obstacles towards the summit. This is a great experience to propel you towards even taller objectives like Denali and the volcanoes of Mexico.
You should be in great shape for this climb and ready for multiple days on the mountain. Previous experience is necessary to participate in the program, as is the mental fortitude to be able to successfully complete this daunting ascent.
Book this incredible 3-day winter mountaineering program up Mt. Shasta NOW and follow the Casaval Ridge to one of the most exhilarating ascents in California and the entire Cascade Range!
- Guiding fee
- Permit and entrance fees
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Rope
- Harness
- Helmet
- Ice axe
- Avalanche equipment
- Camping equipment tents
- Camping equipment cooking utensils
Professional instruction/guide, breakfast(s), dinner(s), ice axes, helmets, harness, group climbing equipment including ropes and avalanche safety equipment, group camping equipment including tents and stoves, permits, and permit fees including Mt. Shasta summit fees. NOT Included but available for rent: Mountaineering Boots, Snowshoes (early season), and Cramponsavailable for rent from SWS Mountain Guides. For more details about equipment, please see our equipment list for this climb.
More info The group size is limited to six (6) participants. The price does NOT include lunches and snacks, sleeping bags, crampons, mountaineering boots, and snowshoes. If you would like information on available rentals, please contact us upon booking. Suggested lunch possibilities are bagels, cheese, dried fruit, trail mix, Clif bars, etc. |
Meeting point We will meet at 8:00am at our Mt. Shasta Office. Contact us upon booking to confirm our meeting location. |
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.
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