MOUNT SHASTA, AVALANCHE GULCH SUMMIT CLIMB OVERVIEW

Mount Shasta, California's premier mountaineering objective. Learn all the aspects of mountaineering and snow climbing while attempting the summit of Mt Shasta with the professional mountain guides of IAG. Climbing Mt. Shasta is the perfect first time mountaineering experience for those interested in climbing big snow-covered mountains. And it’s a been a great mountaineering challenge since the days of John Muir!

In our 3 day Shasta summit climb we attempt the summit of Mount Shasta via the standard Avalanche Gulch route. We believe three days provides more time to properly acclimate and learn all the necessary basic mountaineering skills. The success rate of a three-day Mt Shasta climb is much higher than on the quicker two-day trips. Mountaineering instruction includes:

  • Ice axe and crampon use

  • Ice axe self arrest

  • Snow climbing technique

  • Basic rope travel

Along the way we strive to ensure personal attention, great food and lots of fun. A great introduction into the world of mountaineering on beautiful Mt. Shasta. Come join us this season!

We bring 40 years of experience guiding on Mount Shasta. We know Shasta and will strive to provide you with the most professional and fun experience possible. All of our lead guides have training from the American Mountain Guides Association.

For lodging in the town of Mount Shasta before and after your trip we recommend our partners at LOGE Shasta. They give all of our guests a 10% discount on lodging. To get the discount use the link above or the code INTALPINESG15 at checkout.

We include all technical gear and all your camping gear at no extra cost! All you need are your clothes & footwear.
A $120 value!

 
 
 

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • No previous climbing or mountaineering experience required.

  • Previous backpacking experience highly recommended.

  • Previous off trail hiking experience required.

  • Very good to excellent physical condition required.

Climbing Mt Shasta is strenuous…you must train accordingly! Please feel free to contact us for any training recommendations.

Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

2024 DATES:

April 19-21
April 26-28
May 3-5
May 10-12
May 14-16 (midweek)
May 17-19
May 21-23 (midweek)
May 25-27
May 31 - June 2
June 4-6 (midweek)
June 7-9
June 11-13 (midweek)
June 14-16
June 18-20 (midweek
June 21-23
June 29 - July 1
July 5-7
July 12-14

For beginner Shasta Summit Climbs after mid-July check out our Clear Creek Route climbs

COST:
$1295

All climbing gear included at not extra cost (a $120 value)

Midweek special: $1195

Sign up with 2 or more and receive 5% off!

INCLUDES

  • All gear you need except footwear and clothing. This includes sleeping bag and pad, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, water bottles, headlamp and even eating utensils if you need them. A $120 value! ($30 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Professional instruction and mountain guiding with a guide to client summit-day ratio of 1:3

  • Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.

  • All Group camping equipment such as tents and cooking equipment.

  • Mt. Shasta summit passes are also included

** Boots are not included on the Shasta climbs, but rentals are available in the town of Mount Shasta

THE INTERNATIONAL ALPINE GUIDES DIFFERENCE

For over 40 years IAG/ASI team have been guiding on Mount Shasta & throughout California, as well as on many of the great peaks of the world. As one of the most experienced and oldest guide services in California, we bring to you the highest standards in the mountain guiding industry. All of our mountain guides operating in technical terrain have training with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) in the terrain they guide. We are also one of the most experienced American mountain guiding companies operating in the Alps of Europe and Latin America. Our extensive worldwide experience, adherence to the highest standards, as well as our approachable down to earth guiding philosophy all combine to give you, our valued guests, the best mountain experience possible.

All of our programs are developed and supervised by Internationally licensed IFMGA guide Dave Miller, our founder and technical director. Dave has over 20 years of personal guiding experience on the flanks of Mount Shasta. We know Shasta! 

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

MT SHASTA 3-DAY SUMMIT ITINERARY

Day 1
We meet in the town of Mount Shasta, Ca at 930am. After a pack check and group gear distribution, we all drive to the trail head for Mount Shasta at Bunny Flat. Everyone is responsible for their own transportation to the trailhead. We then hike up to the Horse Camp area where we establish a base camp for the evening. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimating before enjoying a hearty dinner.

Day 2
After breakfast, we break camp and prepare to move to our high camp up Mt. Shasta towards Helen Lake, a few hours journey. We normally camp below Helen Lake to avoid the crowds. The afternoon is spent learning ice axe and crampon techniques to prepare you for the climb of Avalanche Gulch. We then have an early dinner and early to bed to prepare for our summit climb of Mount Shasta the next day.

Day 3
We wake up early for our alpine start to climb Mount Shasta, probably around 2am. Climbing by headlamp, we make our way up the Avalanche Gulch route towards the famous Red Banks. At some point before the Red Banks we are rewarded by sunrise and the shadow of Mount Shasta. Moving up past the Thumb, it on to Misery Hill (not really much misery!) and then to the summit plateau. All that is left is the summit pinnacle after which we stand upon the summit of Mount Shasta (14,180 ft)! We then make our way back down to camp, possibly glissading along the way. After breaking our high camp we continue back to the Bunny Flat trailhead, usually arriving in the very late afternoon. Summit day of Mt Shasta is a long, yet rewarding day!

Itinerary subject to change & the summit of Mount Shasta is subject to safe weather and snow conditions