Denali Prep Climbing Seminar

Mt Shasta, California - 5 Days

Seminar Overview

Mount Shasta is the perfect peak to train for greater objectives like Denali, Aconcagua, and beyond. This course is led by successful Denali Guides and they will teach and share with you the techniques of big mountain expedition climbing. We model and practice every aspect of expedition mountaineering and snow travel; establishing basecamp and advanced camps, roped travel, sled hauling, and glacier travel will all be thoroughly practiced. All in an effort to make a successful early-season summit of Mt. Shasta.

Many of our guides lead expeditions to Denali, this year Katie Wry and Tailer Spinney are fresh from Denali ascents in 2023 and will return in 2024.

Mountaineering instruction includes:

  • Ice axe and crampon use

  • Ice axe self-arrest

  • Snow climbing technique

  • Basic rope travel

  • establishing basecamp and advanced camps

  • sled hauling

  • glacier travel

In this Seminar, we aim to create personal connections with Mt. Shasta and the surrounding land, and lasting connections to your new climbing community.

We have logged over 40 years of experience guiding on Mount Shasta and are the original guiding company for this special mountain. We know Shasta better than anyone and aim to provide a professional and positive experience for all climbers.

    • No mountaineering experience is required.

    • Previous hiking experience is required.

    • Previous backpacking experience is helpful.

    • Prospective climbers should be in excellent physical condition and train diligently for a big challenge.

    Climbing Mt Shasta is strenuous. For the best chances of summiting please train ahead of time. Feel free to contact us for any training recommendations. Check out our training page to get started.

  • All dates are subject to route change in the event of adverse conditions.

    • April 18-22

  • $1895 per person

    INCLUDES

    • 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

    ** Boots are not included but rentals are available in the town of Mt. Shasta.

The difference is in our guides

The Shasta Mountain Guides® staff is a diverse, skilled, and fun group of individuals. Their common bond is a pure passion for being in the mountains and sharing that desire with friends, both old and new. We strongly believe in providing the highest level of service and quality of experience while climbing Mt. Shasta.

We are local professionals and are committed to your safety and enjoyment. SMG is the original guide service on Mt. Shasta and we are on the mountain daily. We specialize in Mount Shasta and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. When you climb with us, your trip is supported by our collective experience and knowledge of the mountain.

Our combined experience includes thousands of Shasta summits and many years spent on the mountain. Together we’ve explored all its’ routes during all conditions and seasons. Join us for a trip of your lifetime!

5-DAY Seminar ITINERARY

Day 1
9:00-10:00 am | Meet guides and group at ours hop 305 Chestnut Street, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067. Please be punctual to allow enough time for gear rentals, packing, and a group briefing with your guides. Please note: your guides will do a thorough gear check and pass out group gear before packing your backpacks. In addition, we recommend that you reserve your rental equipment through the Fifth Season in advance. 530-926-3606. They are conveniently located next to our shop.

10:00-11:30 am | Drive to the Bunny Flat trail head (7,000 ft.) for a group briefing and start the approach to base camp (8,000’ ft.).

11:30-1:30pm | Hike to base camp. Depending on weather and trail conditions, this approach to base camp may take anywhere from 1-2 hours.

2:30pm-7:00pm | At base camp the group will set up camp. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers, and possibly some basic knots, map and compass, or other appropriate skill sessions on day one.

Day 2
6:30am-7:30am | We will rise early and prepare for an exiting day of skills instruction on nearby snowfields.

7:30am-3:00pm | Your guides will chose the safest area for this day of skills instruction. Guides are prepared to format instruction according to group and individual educational goals. Emphasis will be placed on glacier travel and crevasse rescue techniques, as well as a review of fundamental climbing techniques, team rope travel and team arrest.

3:00pm-7:30pm | The team will return to camp for an early dinner and evening briefing. Your guides will discuss seminar logistics and what to pack. Generally we like climbers to be resting in the tents by early evening.

Day 3
7:00am-3:00pm | We will prepare the group for moving our base camp to our advanced camp in preparation of the summit climb. We will spend the day on the snow refining our travel skills including running belays and fixed rope travel. If timing permits we may be able to cover additional training topics including steep climbing, self rescue, team rescue, etc.

3:00pm- 6:00pm | We will establish our high camp to rest and prepare for the next day's summit attempt. The guides will have an evening briefing to discuss climb day logistics and what to pack for the summit climb. We will have a preclimb dinner and early bed time to ready ourselves for the early morning start.

Day 4
Alpine Start | Depending on group size, season, and route conditions, wake-up call will occur between 2:00am-3:00am.

Turn around time | For safety purposes, our turn around time on the mountain may be as early as 11:00 am-12:00 pm. We use these time frames to avoid hazards such as rock fall and afternoon storms. Depending on route conditions, the descent back to camp may take 2.5-4.0 hours.

Back at base camp | The team will have the rest of the afternoon to relax, debrief the day and enjoy another alpine dinner and sunset together.

Day 5
7:00am – 2:00pm | We will enjoy a leisurely breakfast and pack up camp. There will be a skills session before descending back to the trailhead. This will be a time to tie up any loose ends answer any remaining questions and possibly cover some new material. The descent takes about 4-6 hours.

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

For lodging in the town of Mount Shasta before and after your trip we recommend our partners at Summit Lofts and LOGE Mt. Shasta. They offer a discount to our climbers and guests.