Shasta Mountain Guides

01/27/2025

only a few spots left for our avalanche course with on february 8th!!🚨❄️🎿

learn about why avalanches occur, understanding an avalanche forecast, how to use avy gear, recognizing signs of unstable snow, and more 🏂

train with – an AMGA certified guide and co-founder of the 🤜💥

click the link in our stories or in our bio to book!

01/17/2025

We’ve been on the mountain regularly and wanted to check in with a mid winter conditions report and Mt Shasta outlook for the 2025 season.

The storms arrived in full force in November with the hurricane fueled bomb cyclone that hit the mountain with over 9” of water. The mountain was coated in several feet of dense snow that put us above average for the water year so far.

The last measurable precipitation was on January 4th and current snow depth at 7,600’ is 85”

We had several days of high winds on the upper mountain and this week the wind finally let up and allowed for sun softened snow and decent skiing on the right aspects on the lower mountain.

It looks like a few more days of high pressure with forecasts showing a return to wet weather around the 24th. Our fingers are crossed. If climbers are eager, the crampon conditions are good and the USFS Rangers just issued a climbing update. A winter ascent is a real challenge and much different than an ascent in May, be prepared!

The weather is perfect to enjoy a hike or ski on the lower mountain and we’re expecting a great climbing season this spring and summer. Please reach out with any questions or to register.

Upcoming: AIARE Level I+ February 8-11 with and Level I February 15-16 with

01/14/2025

last week REI announced they will be discontinuing all REI adventure trips and classes. we were sad to hear of this as we've had 30 incredible years of hosting trips with REI on the PCT and up the mountain, but are feeling optimistic about what comes next.

were you planning a trip with REI? do you want to go backpacking on the PCT? we will continue to host backpacking trips on the PCT in places that have inspired and changed lives. these trips will have the same amazing guides, delicious backcountry meals, and views as before, and we're excited to offer them directly through Shasta Mountain Guides from may through october.

we love these trips and this community so much and are excited to share these experiences with you in 2025! 🌟

the link to book can be found in our bio and on our stories 🔗

01/08/2025

climb mount shasta and help prevent breast cancer! 🏔️

every year we have the honor of partnering with to tackle preventable risks and save lives. this year's trip up mount shasta is june 2-6, and there are still spots available! 🌿

train with expert guidance and get fundraising support for this life-changing adventure. 💪

contact [email protected] for more info 📩

01/03/2025

Guide highlight: 🌟

Rich is one of our senior guides and has been guiding with us on Shasta since 2000! He spends a lot of his time in Lake Tahoe with the and guiding for . He also guides all around the world, from Idaho to Japan and the Arctic circle.

Check him out or on his website: www.richmeyeralpineguide.com

12/28/2024

couldn't be more grateful for our incredible clients, top tier guides, and everyone who makes what we do possible.

thank you, and happy new year! 💫

📸:

12/21/2024

gift the experience of mount shasta 🏔️🎁

"fill your life with experiences, not things. have stories to tell, not stuff to show."

gift certificates available to purchase, just contact us:
530.926.3117
[email protected]

📸:

12/12/2024

Guide highlight: 🌟

John Michael (or JM) is one of our lead guides and usually spends his time away from Shasta in the Tetons guiding with . This fall he got the chance to climb and celebrate both stateside and internationally.

tag which of our guides we should do next! 👇

12/07/2024

Shasta Mountain Guides Wrapped 2024 🌀

Which ones are you guilty of? Tag your climbing buddy in the comments 🤭

📸: &

11/27/2024

Guide Highlight: 🌟🏔️

David, one of our senior guides, has spent the off season in Norway studying snow and guiding in Argentina. He's now back in California where he works as Executive Director of the Sierra Avalanche Center preparing for winter.

If you're interested in learning about avalanche safety with him, he will be teaching an AIARE 1 class in Shasta on February 15th and 16th.

Link in our bio to book! 👉🔗

11/22/2024

Friends and family of SMG, let's rally in support of David Marchi, a Mt. Shasta local and guide loved by all. He is facing the challenges of recovery after brain surgery and neuro rehabilitation. Any assistance will greatly appreciated. Please consider supporting our dear friend. David Marchi

Our dear friend David Marchi, a kind and radiant spirit in our global communit… Ben Mckinley needs your support for Support David Marchi's Neuro Rehab Journey

11/20/2024

What Our Guides Get Up To 👉

Tailer Spinney is a senior guide based out of Lake Tahoe and this is how she enjoys the rest of her year away from Shasta:

“During Shasta’s off season, I try to fill my time with adventure as much as possible. This year, that consisted of a Europe trip where I had the pleasure of mock guiding 3 friends up Mont Blanc in an effort to build my alpine resume. Along with some incredible alpine rock climbing in the Alps with friends, my time has also been full of bike packing, surfing, lake hangs with my pups, and a lot of family time filling my cup. I’m always so grateful for this lifestyle to give me the time and flexibility to focus on these parts of life that I love."

Tell us what guide you want to hear about next in the comments 👉👈

10/28/2024

What Our Guides Get Up To 👉

Kyle is a 2nd year guide, and his offseason has been filled with bike packing, climbing, and many many incredible views. Here's what he has to say about it:

"This past off season has been a time of adventure and creativity. I’ve spent my days bike touring through scenic routes, rock climbing in the breathtaking Eastern Sierras, and exploring the trails on my mountain bike and on foot. Alongside the physical challenges, I’ve also made time for artistic expression, finding inspiration in the landscapes I love. It’s been a balance of adventure and creativity, fueling my passion for the outdoors. I hope to see you soon on the trail! "

Tell us what guide you want to hear about next in the comments 👉👈

10/18/2024

Pre-climb jitters at gear check 😁⛺️✅

If you've ever done a climb with us, then you might be familiar with the feeling of excitement and anticipation found at morning gear check. It's a time for guests to finally ask those questions keeping them up at night, ensure they have the right gear for the trek, and meet their guides and other climbers.

These photos are from Climb Against the Odds 2024 with

📸:

10/15/2024

What Our Guides Get Up To 👉

If you've ever asked a guide what they do when they're not guiding, this series is for you!

Daniel is a 3rd year guide, and this is what he's been up to in the offseason:

"Every off season is different. This one I have been able to push myself through missions of endurance.

-I ran my first ultramarathon in Mt. Shasta…climbing Mt Shasta every week turns out to be very effective training 🤣

-I climbed the famed North Ridge of Mt. Stuart…a reminder to not underestimate the mountains. This proud route took us four hours longer than I expected to take. I’m happy about that extra sandwich 🥪

-I did my first through hike on the Colorado Trail with my partner …a practice in gratitude. I had beautiful weather, breathtaking landscape, and the perfect partner to share 486 miles with." 🎒

Tell us what guide you want to hear about next in the comments 👉👈

10/07/2024

Every year we have the honor of partnering with on their “Climb Against the Odds” to help raise funds for breast cancer prevention and support their collective effort of battling the disease.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight the incredible work of and showcase the impact they've had on the lives of those who have climbed with them.

👉 25 Climb Against the Odds, ascending a total of 300,000 vertical feet
👉 21 Mount Shasta climbs since 2003
👉 Over 980 climbers
👉 Over $9 million raised for breast cancer prevention

Click the link in our bio to donate directly to them this Breast Cancer Awareness month, or follow their page directly to learn more about their great work. The 2025 Climb Against the Odds is also open for applicants - link in bio.

Photos by from Climb Against the Odds 2024.

10/01/2024

What Our Guides Get Up To 👉

If you've ever asked a guide what they do when they're not guiding... this one is for you!

Triston is a 3rd year guide, and this is what he's up to in the offseason:

"I spend my offseason in Sandpoint ID with my lady Randi. In the winter, I guide backcountry skiing at Selkirk Powder Guides and Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Lately, I’ve been going on climbing trips into the Selkirk and Purcell mountains and am studying nursing. In reality, I spend most of my off season just talking to people about how awesome Shasta is."

Tell us what guide you want to hear about next in the comments 👉👈

09/18/2024

Did you know Mt Eddy is the highest point west of I-5 in California? 🤔

It sits 9,037 feet above sea level and is one of the challenging highlights on our PCT backpacking trips. Getting to the top is super rewarding and is a great place to enjoy the view of Shasta, have a snack, and prepare to head back down. ⛰️

Bookings for 2025 PCT Backpacking trips with are open and can be found through the link in our bio 🔗👉