3-day Mount Shasta West Face ascent

A certified mountain guide wants to take you to the summit of Mount Shasta, at Northern California, in this amazing expedition.

Cascade Range

3 Days

Apr - Sep

High

Intermediate

Description

Mount Shasta, with an estimated volume of 85 cubic miles, is the most voluminous volcano of the Cascade Range. Located in the Northern California, this steep-sided peak offers an amazing mountaineering opportunity. In this 3-day trip you will climb to its summit by the West Face route, under expert guidance.

The West Face offers a similarly difficult alternative to Avalanche Gulch, the most popular route of Shasta. It is a perfect option for ones who want to explore this mountain away from the crowds, instead of being a longer route.

The West Face route begins from Bunny Flat trailhead and heads up to the Sierra Club Hut. After 4 miles of traverse around the toe of Casaval Ridge, we will reach Hidden Valley. Here is the best option for overnight camping. From there to the top is a relatively straightforward and choose-your-own-adventure route.

Mount Shasta Wilderness area, established in 1984, is a protected wild region. It encompasses 38,200 acres of forests, tundra, lava flows, and glaciers. While climbing this mountain you will appreciate a wonderful landscape.

Furthermore, Mount Shasta represents, for a lot of people, much more than just a mere mountain. Native Americans revered the mountain since prehistoric times. On the other side, Shasta has also become very important to modern spiritual groups and cults.

So, if you wish to climb the challenging and scenic West Face route to the summit of Mount Shasta, please contact us! It will be a once in a lifetime experience!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Harness
Helmet
Ice axe

Itinerary

Day 1: Approach to Hidden Valley Camp

At around 7:00 am. we will meet at the Bunny Flat Trailhead (6,950’). Following introductions and gear check with everyone to make sure nothing has been forgotten or left behind. If any climbing gear is being provided by GSG we will distribute it at this time. Before 8:00 am, we plan to hit the trial. Hidden Valley, which is located at 9,200 feet, will be your dedicated campsite for the expedition. As soon as we get to camp, we'll stop for a break, set up camp, enjoy the breathtaking views Hidden Valley has to offer and we'll head out to some low-angle snow slopes and lead an Intro to Mountaineering Course for a few hours after our afternoon tour. After the course, we'll return to camp, talk about the strategy for our summit attempt, eat dinner, pack our bags for the next day, and take in the stunning sunset with our fellow climbers. We'll need a good night's rest because we have an early start the next day.

Day 2: Summit bid on Mount Shasta

We must get up no later than 3:00 am, and we will be heading up the West Face before 4:00 am. We’ll ascend the West Face for 4,000 continuous feet until we reach the base of Misery Hill at 13,200’. From here we’ll take a short break, refuel with some snacks, hydrate, and continue up. Misery Hill is a small, snow-covered hill rising 1,000’ feet above the West Face and the Red Banks. Once atop Misery Hill the true Mount Shasta Summit is within sight and resides just across the flat Football Field we must cross. We will reach one of the classic volcanos in North America and will be standing proud and tall at 14,179’ feet! We’ll enjoy the views on the summit for as long as the weather permits, snap those important summit photos and selfies, refuel and hydrate, then eventually make our way back down to camp, descending the same path we climbed. Once back to camp we’ll fire up the stove, feed our calorie-depleted bodies the nutrients it deserves, and reminisce on the incredible day we just had with a great group of people!

Day 3: Descend back to Bunny Flats Trailhead

On this final day we'll have a leisurely morning where we will cook breakfast, pack up our bags, and begin the descent towards the Bunny Flat Trailhead where we began our adventure. Upon arrival back to the Bunny Flat Trailhead you will return any climbing equipment that was provided, kick off those mountaineering boots and slip into some comfy clothes.

Equipment you will need to bring

Water bottle

Backpack

Sunglasses

Goggles

Equipment rent on site

* Snowshoes (conditions dependant) * Mountainieering Boots * Crampons * Backpack (minimum 40 liters) * Trekking Poles with Snow Baskets * Sleeping Bag & Liner (0-20 degree preferred) * Inflatable Sleeping Pad (R-rating, over 5 preferred) * 3/4 Season Tent or Bivy Sack * Pillow * Sunglasses * Goggles (conditions dependant) * Warm Hat/ Beanie * Sun Hat Cordelette (18-20 in.) * Gloves * Insulated Jacket (puffy) * Fleece Top Ski or Splitboard Boots * Base Layers (top and bottom) * Hard Shell Jakcet and Snow Pants * Extra Socks (ESSENTIAL!) * Gaiters * Headlamp & Extra Batteries * Sunscreen * Eating Utensils (Plate, Spork, Cup) & Toiletries * Stove, Fuel, & Lighter * Handwarmers * Water Bottles (minimum 2 liters) * Food (a meal plan template will be provided) * Cell Phone + Charger * After Trip Clothes (left in car)

About the guide

Ryan

5.0

(15)

Single Pitch Instructor

I am the founder of Golden State Guiding and an AMGA Apprentice Alpine and Splitboard Guide, a certified Single Pitch Instructor, and certified Wilderness First Responder and also hold an AIARE Pro 1 certificate.

At Golden State Guiding we hold a valid permit to guide you legally in California's Eastern Sierra mountains including Mammoth Lakes, Sequoia/ Kings National Park, Mount Shasta in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park, Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego, and Red Rock Canyon just outside of Las Vegas Nevada. All Golden State Guiding guides are professionally trained by the AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) and are some of the best Guides in the industry. Our professional Guides know exactly where to take you for your day out of rock, ice, or alpine climbing, backcountry skiing or splitboarding, and mountaineering in California or Nevada.

These are some of the spots where we can take you:

- Joshua Tree National Park

- San Diego (Mission Gorge or Mount Woodson)

- Eastern Sierra (Lone Pine Peak, Mt Emerson, Mount Sill and the entire Palisade Range, Bear Creek Spire, Temple Crag, Crystal Crag, Cardinal Pinnacle, Iris Slab, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Clark Canyon)

- Mount Shasta in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in the Southern Cascades

- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Languages

English

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What people are saying about Ryan

First class operation from beginning to end. Ryan (I believe owner or manager) provided the best customer service from the moment I contacted him as a result of a search on the internet. He set everything up with ease, always staying in touch and making sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommend him for climbing at any level.

Ryan, Tim, Scott, and Ben were all very friendly, professional, and super knowledgeable. I know there's an inherent risk in climbing, but I'm confident I can use what I learned from this program and climb much more safely outdoors. I'll be signing up for their other programs!

We just had an amazing weekend climbing in the Mammoth area. Greg, our guide, was so talented and hilarious! I learned so much and we climbed tons of amazing varied routes. We laughed learned and climbed hard. Cant wait to do more with you guys! Thanks for everything Ryan and Greg!

Ryan was absolutely phenomenal. Lines were set and tied in well before our meeting time. He had a great game plan for us. I'll be booking again soon.

Ryan is truly a top notch guiding service. Ryan is more than accommodating to work with, and the rapport we have with the guides is unmatched. Keep up the great work!