There has never been a time when the mountains have felt more accessible than they do today. Every day, our phones are filled with stunning images of climbers standing on remote summits, skiers carving untouched lines through powder, and mountaineers tackling...
Blog Archive SWS
California Mountain Guides Blog Archive
Summer Mountain Hiking: What to Bring
Summer is peak season for building the aerobic baseline and leg strength required for big alpine objectives. Taking your training to the high-altitude trails of California’s Sierra Nevada or Southern Cascade Range of Mt Lassen and Mt. Shasta is an excellent way to...
Discovering the Flora of Mount Shasta One Step at a Time
There are moments on every climb of Mount Shasta when you should stop looking at what is above you and start looking down. Not at your feet necessarily, but at the remarkable tapestry of life on the ground that somehow thrives on the flanks of California's...
The Life of a Snowflake
Last winter, while in Shasta one morning before an avalanche course I was instructing had started for the day. I found myself standing alone in the Castle Lake parking lot waiting for the sun to come up. It wasn't a particularly remarkable day. It wasn't the beginning...
Plastic to Granite: Challenges of Transitioning from the Climbing Gym to Outdoor Rock Climbing
Over the past two decades, climbing gyms have transformed the sport. More people than ever are discovering climbing through brightly colored holds, padded floors, and professionally set routes. The gym has become the gateway to climbing, introducing thousands of new...
Fitting a Mountaineering Boot: Boot-fitter Tips for Preventing Blisters, Dialing Sizing & Getting the Perfect Fit
All mountaineers, guides, and alpine enthusiasts know the importance of the proper footwear. Having the correct boot for the job is crucial, although the experienced climbers know all too well that the fit of the boot can spell the difference between a successful...
WEAR YOUR D$%N HELMET!
While climbing Mount Shasta is an unforgettable experience, it is also a serious alpine objective where safety should always come first. Having the proper equipment is essential and one of the most important pieces of gear every climber...
How to View Mountain Weather Like a Guide
Like in normal life, weather decides most things in the mountains. It influences whether a climb is reasonable, whether the snow has significant instabilities, and whether a day feels straightforward or like a constant problem needing to be managed. I’ve dealt with...
Summer Guide to Climbing Mt. Shasta: Best Routes for June, July, and August
Mt. Shasta, at 14,179 feet, serves as California’s premier alpine playground and offers training opportunities for summiting mountains around the world. Careful timing is crucial for a successful summit attempt. As snow melts and summer takes hold, the mountain’s...
Mexico Volcanoes Expedition Guide: Why This Trip Means So Much
Why I Wrote This:I wrote this to give an honest look into our Mexico Volcanoes Expeditions for those who may not know about them yet, and to help people more fully understand why they mean so much to us as a company. For me personally, this trip is deeply personal on...