Mt. Shasta winter ascent via the Casaval Ridge (3 days)

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 Casaval Ridge 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.

2. Carry a 40 lbs - 55 lbs pack / 18 kg- 23 kg pack

3. Be able to move efficiently off of maintained trails on steep hard snow, soft snow, rock scramble and talus. Using large step ups and step-downs, and movements requiring the whole body while carrying a pack.

4. 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

5. 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 4-8 hours and time to the summit from high camp is 6-8 hours.

We recommend 3-4 months before the climb if you have not been climbing or hiking extensively prior to your climb date.

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

Not available on this climb

Accommodations are tents which are provided, 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 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.

Yes, Intermediate to Advanced. Participants should be in excellent physical condition. Our backpacks will weigh anywhere from 40 to 55 pounds. Previous mountaineering experience is required (knowledge of knots, belays, crampon and ice ax use). Completion of our Basic and Advanced Winter Mountaineering Course qualifies as sufficient training experience.

1:3 guide to client ratio

Best time to climb Casaval Ridge is March through May

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.

Mt Shasta Casaval Ridge 3 Days:

Day One: Bunny Flat Elevation: 6,950 ft. to 10,000 ft – 3,050 elevation gain / 930 meters

Day Two: High Camp: 10,000 ft to 14,179 – 4,179 ft / 1274 meters - Elevation loss with 14,0179 ft to 10,000 – 4,179 ft / 1274 meters

Day Three: High Camp: 10,000 ft to 6,950 - Loss – 3,050 elevation gain / 930 meters