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Sep 26, 2025

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...

A Gear List for Climbing Mount Shasta in May and June (2026 Edition)

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

Foundational Mountaineering Skills – Using an Ice Axe and Crampons

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...

Read our latest posts!

Mountain Shop Coming Soon

We’re excited to launch this space as a place to share stories, knowledge, and updates from the mountains we love. This blog isn’t about politics or noise—it’s about climbing, skiing, and mountaineering. Our goal here is simple: to highlight important topics that matter to the mountain community, share updates, and offer insights that might help you prepare for your own adventures.

You’ll find posts ranging from route and conditions updates, to tips and reflections from our guides, to highlights of the broader climbing and skiing community. We want this blog to serve as a connection point, for all those planning to get outside in whatever way they love most.

We’ve always believed that the mountains are the best classrooms, and this blog is simply an extension of that philosophy. We’re glad you’re here, and we look forward to sharing the journey with you.

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...

A Gear List for Climbing Mount Shasta in May and June (2026 Edition)

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

Foundational Mountaineering Skills – Using an Ice Axe and Crampons

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...

Read our latest posts!