3 day West Face Climb

Mt Shasta, California - 14,179 ft

Climb Overview

This route is an excellent climb for mountaineers looking for a challenging and more remote climb to Shasta’s summit. Our base camp in Hidden Valley (9,200′) is spectacular and well positioned for the summit push. The route is a sustained effort that will test your endurance and is a comparable technical challenge to Avalanche Gulch. The schedule is alpine style so good training is essential for reaching the summit.

The West Face climb is a good alternate on the south side of the mountain. Conditions vary dramatically season to season, check with us for more details. Although similar to Avalanche Gulch, the West Face is a more strenuous summit climb due to added length and distance.

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

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

    • No mountaineering experience is required, but is highly recommended – this route is more sustained and difficult than Avalanche Gulch.

    • Previous hiking experience is required.

    • Previous backpacking experience is helpful.

    • Must be in good physical condition and training diligently for the challenge. Check out our training page to get started. Proper conditioning and preparation are crucial to summit success.

    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.

    • May 10-12

    • May 31-June 2

  • $1595 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!

MT SHASTA 3-DAY SUMMIT ITINERARY

Day 1
8:00am | Meet guides and group at The SMG Shop 305 Chestnut St, Mt. Shasta, CA. Please be punctual to allow time for gear rentals, packing, and a group briefing. Your guides will do a thorough equipment check and pass out group gear before packing your backpacks. We recommend that you reserve your rental equipment through the Fifth Season 530-926-3606 in advance.

10:00am-10:30am | Drive to the Bunny Flat trailhead (6,950 ft.) for a briefing and start the approach to base camp (9,200ft). Depending on weather and trail conditions, the approach to base camp may take anywhere from 4-6 hours from Bunny Flat.

11:00am-12:00pm | Horse Camp (8,000 ft.) Rest break to snack and fill water bottles at fresh spring.

12:30-3:00pm | Continue to Hidden Valley. The route to base camp at 9,200’ is rough, variable terrain. Snow and loose scree will be the hiking surface. Once at base camp you will set up and prepare for snow school. Distance: 3 miles, 2,300’

4:00pm-5:00pm | Snow School. The purpose of snow school is to prepare you and the climbing team for a safe, efficient and enjoyable climb. Topics covered include ice axe use, crampon technique, team rope travel, and team arrest.

5:00pm-7:00pm| After snow school you will return to camp for an early dinner and evening briefing. Your guides will discuss climb day logistics and what to pack. We will be resting in tents by 8:00pm

Day 2
Alpine Start | Depending on group size and route conditions, wake-up call will occur between 1:00am-2:00am. We will be climbing by 2:00 or 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. Most groups reach the summit in 6-8 hours of climbing. The summit is only half way. We use these time frames to avoid hazards such as rock fall and afternoon storms. The descent back to camp may take 3-4 hours.

Back at base camp | Rest and relax, reflect on the day, and enjoy another dinner and sunset in Hidden Valley. Distance 8 miles, Climbing/Descending 10,000’

Day 3
Return to trail head | we will enjoy a leisurely breakfast, pack up camp, and descend back to Bunny Flat. The descent takes 3-4 hours and we can expect to be back in the town of Mount Shasta in the early afternoon. Distance 3 miles, 2,300’ descent

* There may be factors that would make a third day summit climb an option. If this is the case, we will return between 5 and 6pm on day three. 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.