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Sea Level to 14,000 Feet: How to Acclimatize for California’s Highest Peaks

Climbing California 14ers like Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) or Mount Whitney (14,505 ft) is a bucket-list achievement. However, for climbers living near sea level—whether in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, or elsewhere in the country—the compressed 2- to 3-day itinerary...

The Call Someone Has to Answer

Caleb covers some background on Search and Rescue in the United States and why the billing of those needing rescue is set up as a public service.

Read Mountain Weather Like a Pro: Preparing for Your 14,000-Foot Climb

When preparing for a climb or ski on Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) or Mount Whitney (14,505 ft), or just hiking into the mountains, checking the standard weather app on your phone won't cut it. A sunny 75°F forecast for the town of Mount Shasta or Lone Pine often hides...

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SNACKS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

SNACKS AND MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

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...

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To Hire A Guide Or To Not Hire A Guide: That Is The Question

To Hire A Guide Or To Not Hire A Guide: That Is The Question

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...

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Spring Came Early: Corn Skiing on Mt. Shasta

Spring Came Early: Corn Skiing on Mt. Shasta

Spring’s arrival on the West Coast this year has caught everyone off guard. With temperatures nearly 20 degrees above average, skiers are left wondering if winter slipped away before it truly began. But on Mount Shasta, the story is different: the early warmth has...

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Choosing A Backcountry Ski Boot

Choosing A Backcountry Ski Boot

Having just completed a quick ski tour up to 10k in Avalanche Gulch on Mt Shasta, I thought it timely to address the issue of finding the right backcountry ski boot (the spring-like conditions were phenomenal by the way!!). Choosing the right backcountry ski boot is...

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The Mountain That Moves Within Us

The Mountain That Moves Within Us

Caleb here - I wrote this piece over the last year, and submitted it to the American Avalanche Association’s publication, The Avalanche Review.  It was published in the most recent TAR released in early February. It goes out to members throughout the year, and I...

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Time, Terrain, and Change – Reflections From the Mountains

Time, Terrain, and Change – Reflections From the Mountains

Spending time in the mountains as a guide or outdoor professional offers a kind of perspective that is hard to find elsewhere. When you are not just moving through a landscape, but having to pay close attention to it, watching the subtle shifts in a glacier, noticing...

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Climbing Mt. Shasta in the Winter

Climbing Mt. Shasta in the Winter

With the unseasonably mild winter we are experiencing here on Mt. Shasta, we have been fielding a fair number of calls from people inquiring about attempting the summit this season. Because of this, I thought it would be instructive to write a brief overview of what...

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