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The Question Every Guide Must Answer

Here we are, as I’m finishing on this article, it’s already the beginning of August. The days are long, and the temperatures are hot, I have found myself looking toward winter, hoping it might arrive a little earlier this year. I have even started working on my skis...

Above the Tree Line: Protecting Your Eyes and Skin from Alpine Sun Exposure

At SWS Mountain Guides, we’ve been guiding clients up glaciated peaks, high-altitude passes, and technical alpine ridges since 1981. If there is one lesson four decades of mountain experience teaches you, it’s that the alpine sun is a relentless force. Whether you’re...

Choosing the right footwear for Mt Whitney’s Mountaineer’s Route in late summer

Late summer is one of the best times to climb the Mountaineers Route on Mt. Whitney, but do not let the calendar fool you. The Mountaineers route is still a demanding alpine climb! The right footwear can make the difference between a confident ascent and a long,...

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From Instagram to the Mountains

From Instagram to the Mountains

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...

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Summer Mountain Hiking: What to Bring

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...

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Discovering the Flora of Mount Shasta One Step at a Time

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...

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The Life of a Snowflake

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...

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WEAR YOUR D$%N HELMET!

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...

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How to View Mountain Weather Like a Guide

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...

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Mexico Volcanoes Expedition Guide: Why This Trip Means So Much

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...

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