The “Fourteener Initiative”, climb California’s 14,000′ peaks with a certified guide

Join a certified mountain guide for a fun, challenging and scenic ascent of one of California's 14ers. Choose from any one of 14 of the highest peaks in the state and climb it over the course of two or three days.

Private

Sierra Nevada (California), Cascade Range

+1 Days

Jun - Sep

High

Intermediate

Highlights

* Enjoy California's stunning scenery.

* Climb any one of the 14 tallest mountains in the state.

* Learn new and hone existing mountaineering skills as you go.

Description

From the expansive glaciers on Mt Shasta to the sky-high summit of Mt Whitney, there is no feeling quite like climbing a California 14er.

Spread throughout the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range, California boasts 14 in all, including the tallest mountain in the contiguous 48 United States (Mt Whitney).

Many of the peaks in this exclusive club are considered quintessential alpine climbs. While many are not very technically challenging, requiring some simple rock and ice climbing along the way, all are physically demanding.

However, the effort required to getting to the top of any of these peaks is well worth it. Views from all 14 summits are mind blowingly beautiful. There’s really no better way to see all of this state’s diverse scenery than from the top of one of these peaks.

For these reasons, we offer the Fourteenter Initiative. As one of only two companies in the entire state that is permitted to guide climbs on all 14 of the highest mountains, we want to help you get up as many as possible.

Below is a list of all the trips we offer, along with the route we’ll take up the mountain and the grade of the climbing:

Mt Whitney (14,505 feet) – East Face (5.4) or Buttress (5.6 III)
Mt Williamson (14,375 feet) – Twisted Rib (5.6 III)
North Palisade (14,242 feet) – U-Notch (5.6 III)
Keeler Needle (14,239 feet) (combined with Whitney) – 4th Class / Tech Routes
Mt Sill (14,153 feet) – Swiss Arete (5.7 III)
Mt Russel (14,153 feet) – East Ridge (4th Class) or Fishhook Arete (5.9 III)
Polemonium Peak (14,080 feet) – U-Notch (5.6 III) or V-Notch (W1-3 III)
Split Mountain (14,042 feet) – North Ridge (3rd Class II)
Mt Langley (14,022 feet) – South Ridge (3rd Class II)
Mt Tyndall (14,019 feet) – North Ridge (4th Class)
Middle Palisade (14,012 feet) – East Face (3rd – 4th Class II – III)
Mt Muir (14,011 feet) – East Face (4th Class II)
Thunderbolt Peak (14,003 feet) – North Couloir (4th Class II)
Mt Shasta (14,179 feet) – various routes

So what are you waiting for? Book now for your next (or first) 14er climbing experience in stunningly scenic California!

If you like the look of this trip then we think you will also enjoy our 3-day winter mountaineering ascent of Mt Shasta via Casaval Ridge!

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Dinner

- Rope

- Harness

- Helmet

- Camping equipment tents

Price details

Fourteener Initiative climb or several of California's 14,000 ft peaks. Choose from Mt Whitney, Mt Russell, Mt Muir, Mt Williamson, Mt Tyndall, Split Mountain, Thunderbolt Peak, North Palisade, Middle Palisade, Mt Sill, Polemonium Peak, Mt Langley, White Mountain, Mount Shasta or a 2-3 day climb. Some peaks can be done together. Best time to climb these peaks is in the summer months - May through September. Contact us to scheduled a climb with 1-3 climbers and your guide.

Prices Include: Professional instruction/guide, breakfast(s), freeze dried dinner(s), helmets, harness, ice axes (if needed), group equipment including ropes and safety equipment, group camping equipment including tents and stoves, permits, and license fees including permits & summit fees. NOT INCLUDED: Mountaineering Boots, Snowshoes (early season), and Crampons, 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.

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 14,000 ft mountain 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:

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 - 45 lbs pack / 15 kg- 20 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 most 14,000 ft peaks

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 most 14,000 ft peaks is 4-6 hours and time to the summit from basecamp is 5-10 hours depending on the peak.

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 (if needed) 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?

None on these climbs

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 in the mountains.

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?

1:2 or 1:3 guide to client ratio depending on the peak selected

What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?

Most 14,000 ft peaks are best climbed from May through September.

Can I join a group?

All 14,000 ft peak in the Fourteener Initiative are custom climbs with private 1:1 small groups of 2-3

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

Request more information

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.