3-day Crevasse rescue course on Mt. Shasta (Hotlum Glacier) in California

At 14,179 ft., Mt Shasta demands both physical and mental strength in order to climb it. Listed below are the physical requirements you need to have before showing up to climb to the base camp at the Hotlum Glacier. Best to be in very good to excellent condition to get the most out of the Crevasse Rescue Course.

1. You will need to maintain a climbing pace of 600 ft -700 ft feet / 185 to 215 meters per hr, AND be able to sustain it for 1-hour increments.

2. Carry a 35 lbs - 40 lbs/ 15 kg-18 kg pack

3. 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.

4. You will need to be able to advance 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. If you can do this, you should have the fitness level required to climb Mt Shasta.

5. Plus, Weekend training hikes 8-10 miles /12-16 kilometers with a loaded pack of 25-30 lbs /11-14 kilos over hilly terrain is also recommended prior to your climb.

Note: Time to basecamp on Mt Shasta is 4-6 hours

We recommend 2-3 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. If necessary, all are available for rent: Sleeping bags and 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, and trekking poles for rent as well.

Porters are available by reservation on all Mt. Shasta climbs and cost $200 each way. The loads they can carry are limited to a maximum of 45 lbs/porter.

We will provide tents and hot water for hot drinks, instant cereal, freeze-dried dinners, and for filling water bottles for drinking.

SWS reserves the right to reschedule any tour due to severe weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances which make it unsafe to continue. Weather Credit or Weather Partial Credit will be granted during or within 24 hrs of the tour start dates if weather conditions or other uncontrollable circumstances make the tour unsafe to carry out. The decision will be at the discretion of the guides and Director(s) of SWS.

We recommend that you acquire trip cancellation insurance. We can assist you with this if necessary.

1:3/4 guide to client ratio

Best time Crevasse Rescue and Glacier Training is is Mid-June to September when the crevasses are accessible are available on the Northside of Mt Shasta.

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.