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...
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...
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...
Looking at what to pack in a functional way. Suggested packing list for a Shasta 2 or 3 day climb on Avalanche Gulch, West Face, or Casaval Ridge
Quite often I hear descriptions of climbing Mt. Shasta as being a “non-technical” mountaineering objective. This could not be further from the truth. Depending upon the time of year, every route on Mt Shasta can have snow, ice, and steep terrain which demand technical...
I love snow! I love skiing, the silence a snowstorm brings, the science behind it, and so much more about it. I love it, but if you spend enough time working in the mountains, you stop thinking about snow as just something fun to ski or climb on. It becomes...
For most trekkers heading to Everest Base Camp, the experience doesn’t really start on the trail—it starts in Kathmandu. It’s a city that hits you all at once: busy, colorful, a little chaotic, but full of life, great food, and a kind of energy that makes it clear...
An unusually warm early spring across California has launched rock climbing season ahead of schedule. As the snow quickly melts and the granite dries out, climbers are already flocking to the crags to seize long sunny days and perfect climbing on Sierra granite. For...
Climbing Mount Shasta is an incredible adventure, but it is also very physically demanding. Having the right snacks/lunch food can make or break your energy levels. The right foods will help keep you fueled, focused, and ready to push through long...
It’s a question that comes up often for Mount Shasta - “Do I really need a guide, or can I manage it on my own?” The answer depends on your background, your goals, and how comfortable you are making decisions at altitude, and when the environmental variables or...
