FAQ

Why Shasta Mountain Guides?

SMG is the original Mt. Shasta guide service for 30 years leading the highest quality trips on the mountain and surrounding area. We are on the mountain daily and are tuned into the constantly changing conditions. We specialize in Mt. Shasta and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. We at Shasta Mountain Guides are dedicated outdoor professionals and our guides  are skilled climbers as well as fun and enjoyable team members. We believe in providing the highest quality adventure while helping you achieve your goals. Our highest priority is your safety.

How do I register for a trip?

Registration is simple. Click the ”Book Now” link on our web site, scroll to the appropriate trip, click on the trip dates, and enter your contact information.  You can always call and make your reservation over the phone as well as have all of your questions answered. We are often out of the office, so be sure to leave a message and we will return your call promptly.

You can pay with a credit card, personal check, or money order.  We require a 50% non-refundable/non-transferable deposit per person at the time reservations are made. You will then be sent confirmation material and further information. Your balance is due 30 days prior to trip departure.

If your reservation is made after the balance due date has passed, full payment should be included with your reservation.

What is Shasta Mountain Guides’ cancellation policy?

Please carefully consider the trip date(s) you select. Cancellations received at least 30 days prior to departure will receive a refund minus deposit.  No refund will be issued 0 to 30 days prior to departure, or in the event of no-shows.

All cancellation requests must be made in advance. You may also transfer your trip to another scheduled date up to 30 days before the original trip date, there is a $95 change fee for this. Prio notification and fee payment is needed to process all trip transfers.

We seldom, if ever, cancel a trip, but if we find it necessary to do so, we will refund all deposits and fees.

When is the best time of year to climb Mt. Shasta? What will the weather be like?

We enjoy excellent weather much of the year on Mt. Shasta. We guide summit trips from April – September. Typically in winter the weather can be quite fierce and severe along with potential avalanche hazard above tree line making a climb of anything other than a ridge dangerous.

Autumn brings short and cold days and nearly all of the climbing routes are in very poor condition.

Most climbers come to Shasta between May – August. Prime conditions on the south and west side is from May – July. North and east side routes are best June – August.

More than 5 days before a trip it is impossible for us to predict what the weather will be like on a given day. Because we are in the mountains weather can and does change rapidly.

Day and night time temperatures vary depending on time of year and elevation. Come prepared with everything that is on the clothing and equipment list, yes, even the down jacket!

Questions about fitness

All of our trips are physically strenuous; however, many people from diverse age groups and physical abilities climb to the summit with us every year. To get the most out of your climb, we recommend that you start an exercise regimen several months prior to your trip.

A routine that incorporates aerobic activity and muscle strengthening will provide the best training. A balance between endurance, cardio, and aerobic exercise is ideal.

If possible, we recommend that you incorporate outdoor training into your program. For example, begin with hiking up moderate trails or stairways without the weight of a backpack. Slowly and conservatively add weight to a back pack as you increase your hiking pace and move on to more difficult trails.

The key to an efficient climb on Mt. Shasta lies in a climber’s ability to maintain a slow and steady pace. Normally, our guides strive to keep groups moving for 1-1.5 hours between breaks. We recommend that you work towards maintaining 1-1.5 hr. hiking intervals with a weighted pack on your training hikes.

The best training to climb is to simulate the activity, hiking uphill with a backpack on. If trails are not assessable to you we recommend using a gym, taking the stairs in your building, cycling and jogging. Work toward an hour of uninterrupted aerobic activity. Always consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

How heavy will my backpack be?

Expect to carry a 35-45 lb pack (including group gear) on the approach to base camp. On climb day, your pack will weigh approximately 12-15 lbs. Porters are available at an additional cost. Please contact the office to make arrangements.

What is included in the cost of my course or climb?

Shasta Mountain Guides provides main meals: breakfasts and dinners (except on day trips), tents, cooking equipment, ropes and harnesses when needed, and all passes and permits. All of our summit climbs include snow school in preparation for the ascent.

What will I provide?

Trip members provide their own personal gear; clothing, backpack, sleeping bag, mountaineering boots, ice axes, crampons, helmet. All of the technical gear can be rented here locally at The Fifth Season 530-926-3606. We recommend reserving any rental gear well in advance to ensure that you have the proper equipment. Shasta Mountain Guides does not provide transportation to or from any of our trips or outings.

What kind of snack food should I bring?

Shasta Mountain Guides provides main meals; breakfasts and dinners. You will bring climbing food for summit day and additional days on our longer courses. We suggest a variety of food that you know you enjoy. Often at altitude our appetites decrease so it is important that your food is palatable. A selection of protein, carbs, fats, salts, and sweets should be considered.

Try to vary your snacks to accommodate your high altitude lack of appetite. Bagels, cheese, jerky, gorp, chocolate, nuts, Clif Bars and energy gels are all good choices.

What kind of gear should I bring?

When you register for a class or climb you will receive a comprehensive list of necessary clothing and equipment. Every item on the list is required so please pack accordingly. If you have specific questions reguarding clothing or equipment please contact our office. Proper equipment ensures your best chance for summit success as well as your comfort.

How big will our group be?

For safety and group comfort we utilize a maximum 4:1 climber to guide ratio. For themore technical trips and routes we use a 3:1 ratio. Our group size limit includes 2 guides and 8 climbers. This is the largest the group will be according to USFS Wilderness Area group size limitations. Often our groups are smaller than this and we may have an even lower ratio.

If someone in my group is unable to summit, will I lose my chance to summit?

Mountaineering is a team-oriented sport that encompasses much more than simply climbing to the summit of an objective peak. With Shasta Mountain Guides you will meet new people, learn new skills, enjoy aesthetic views and delicious mountain cuisine, and make a summit attempt.

We understand that reaching the summit is of the highest priority for most climbers, and our guides make every attempt to do so safely; however, due to unpredictable changes in weather and route conditions a summit is never guaranteed.

In the event that a team member needs to turn around, one guide will accompany that climber down so the rest of the team can climb on. Often, we have multiple groups and guides on the mountain. Our guides work closely with one another to maximize climber’s opportunity to reach the summit. It is rare that we have to turn an entire team around; your guides will brief the group prior to the summit climb.

How do I get to Mt. Shasta?

Mt. Shasta lies in Siskiyou County in far northern California. We are 50 miles from the Oregon/California border and are situated close to Interstate 5. The mountain is visible from a distance of over 100 miles from the south.

The Redding, CA airport is one hour south and the Medford, OR airport is 1.25 hrs to the north, both offer car rental. The Sacramento International airport is 3 hours south and San Francisco International airport is 4-5 hours away. For driving directions please click on our link to mapquest.com.

We recommend that you arrive at least one day before your trip, and make hotel arrangements for the night after your trip.

What kinds of accommodations are available in Mt. Shasta?

A variety of accommodations is available in Mt. Shasta, from campgrounds to deluxe hotels and chalets. The Mount Shasta Chamber of Commerce can provide additional area information. 800-926-4865. The Cold Creek Inn offers simple, clean and comfortable accommodations as well as a 15% discount to Shasta Mountain Guides climbers. 800-292-9421.

How much should I tip my guides?

Tips are not expected, but are always appreciated. Our guides take pride in their profession, and work hard to provide safe and fun adventures on Mt. Shasta. The amount of gratuity depends on your level of satisfaction with your guides and the trip, consider as you would in a restaurant.

What kind of food do you serve?

Shasta Mountain Guides cares about the health of our clients, our guides and the environment. Maintaining optimal physical and mental health at altitude and in cold weather is a climber’s best defense against injury and illness, and ensures the success of a climb.

Therefore, we are committed to providing healthy organic meals that reflect a high standard of alpine cuisine. At the same time, we are dedicated to limiting the amount of waste our groups create on the mountain.

Nearly all of our menu ingredients are purchased in bulk form to limit unnecessary product packing waste, and 90% of the menu ingredients are organic.

The vast majority of our meals are vegetarian and at the same time have been carefully planned to include protein. If you know that you require large amounts of protein please consider bringing extra jerky or canned meat to supplement your meals.

Our guides are happy to accommodate dietary restriction. If this applies to you please make special arrangements with the office when you register for a trip.

Climbing Ethics

We feel honored to work and play on Mt. Shasta, and are proud to share our passion for backcountry skiing and mountaineering with others. At the same time, we are aware of the potential impact commercial guiding may have on the fragile alpine environment.

Therefore, we are committed to preserving the areas we use through education, and by modeling low-impact backcountry travel techniques.

All of our staff and guides are Leave No Trace certified and follow these principals diligently. We pack out all our garbage, including human waste, pack out bags are provided by the Forest Service Climbing Rangers. We at Shasta Mountain Guides are founding members of the Stewardship Fund of Far Northern California as well.

Can I schedule a customized itinerary or private trip?

We are happy to accommodate private and custom trips with advance notice. Please note that additional costs are required. If you are interested in arranging a private solo or private group climb please contact our office and we will do our best to accommodate you.