MOUNT SHASTA, AVALANCHE GULCH SUMMIT CLIMB OVERVIEW

Join the professionals at International Alpine Guides on Mount Shasta, California's premier mountaineering objective. With over 40 years of experience on Shasta you know you’re in good hands. Learn all the aspects of mountaineering and snow climbing while attempting the summit of Mt Shasta with the professional mountain guides of IAG. Climbing Mt. Shasta is the perfect first time mountaineering experience for those interested in climbing big snow-covered mountains.

In our 3 day Shasta summit climb we attempt the summit of Mount Shasta via the standard Avalanche Gulch route. We believe three days provides more time to properly acclimate and learn all the necessary basic mountaineering skills. The success rate of the 3-day Mt Shasta climb is higher than on the quicker two-day trips. Mountaineering instruction includes:

  • Ice axe and crampon use

  • Ice axe self arrest

  • Snow climbing technique

  • Basic rope travel

Along the way we strive to ensure personal attention, great backcountry food and lots of fun. A great introduction into the world of mountaineering on beautiful Mt. Shasta. Come join us this season!

We know Mount Shasta and will strive to provide you with the most professional and fun experience possible. All of our lead guides have training from the American Mountain Guides Association and are approachable and fun people to hang out with. All of our programs are developed and supervised by Internationally licensed IFMGA guide Dave Miller, our founder and technical director. Dave has over 20 years of personal guiding experience on the flanks of Mount Shasta. We know Shasta! 

Read IAG director Dave Miller’s article on a Beginners Guide to Climb Mount Shasta

For lodging in the town of Mount Shasta before and after your trip we recommend our partners at LOGE Shasta. They give all of our guests a 10% discount on lodging. To get the discount use the link above or the code INTALPINESG15 at checkout.

We include all technical gear and all your camping gear at no extra cost! All you need are your clothes & footwear.
A $120 value!

 
 
 

Shasta Early Bird Special!
20% off all Shasta climbs from May 1st till May 12th
Use code SHASTAEARLY at checkout

EXPERIENCE & PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

  • No previous climbing or mountaineering experience required.

  • Previous backpacking experience highly recommended.

  • Previous off trail hiking experience required.

  • Very good to excellent physical condition required.

Climbing Mt Shasta is strenuous…you must train accordingly! Please feel free to contact us for any training recommendations.

Curious how to rate your physical ability? Check out our Physical Ability Page

2025 DATES:

May 2-4 - 20% Off! $980
May 9-11- 20% Off! $980
May 13-15 (midweek)
May 16-18
May 20-22 (midweek)
May 24-26
May 30 - June 1
June 3-5 (midweek)
June 6-8
June 10-12 (midweek)
June 13-15
June 17-19 (midweek)
June 20-22
June 27-29
July 4-6

For beginner Shasta Summit Climbs after mid-July check out our Clear Creek Route climbs

COST:
$1225
Midweek special: $1125

All climbing gear included at not extra cost (a $120 value!)

Sign up with 2 or more and receive 5% off!

INCLUDES

  • All gear you need except footwear and clothing. This includes sleeping bag and pad, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet, water bottles, headlamp and even eating utensils if you need them. A $120 value! ($30 cleaning fee for using our sleeping bags)

  • Professional instruction and mountain guiding with a low guide to client summit-day ratio of 1:3

  • Breakfast & dinner while in the backcountry.

  • All Group camping equipment such as tents and cooking equipment.

  • Mt. Shasta summit passes are also included

** Boots are not included on the Shasta climbs, but rentals are available in the town of Mount Shasta

THE INTERNATIONAL ALPINE GUIDES DIFFERENCE ON MOUNT SHASTA

For over 40 years IAG/ASI team have been guiding on Mount Shasta & throughout California, as well as on many of the great peaks of the world. As one of the most experienced and oldest guide services in California, we bring to you the highest standards in the mountain guiding industry. All of our mountain guides operating in technical terrain have training with the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) in the terrain they guide. We are also one of the most experienced American mountain guiding companies operating in the Alps of Europe and Latin America. Our extensive worldwide experience, adherence to the highest standards, as well as our approachable down to earth guiding philosophy all combine to give you, our valued guests, the best mountain experience possible at the best value.

All of our Mount Shasta climbs and courses are developed and supervised by Internationally licensed IFMGA guide Dave Miller, our founder and technical director. Dave has over 24 years of personal guiding experience on the flanks of Mount Shasta. We know Shasta! 

For more info on this trip please fill out the form below:

MT SHASTA 3-DAY SUMMIT ITINERARY

Day 1
We meet in the town of Mount Shasta, Ca at 930am. After a pack check and group gear distribution, we all drive to the trail head for Mount Shasta at Bunny Flat. Everyone is responsible for their own transportation to the trailhead. We then hike up to the Horse Camp at around 8,000 ft area where we establish a base camp for the evening. The afternoon is spent relaxing and acclimating before enjoying a hearty dinner.

Day 2
After breakfast, we break camp and prepare to move to our high camp up Mt. Shasta towards Helen Lake, a few hours journey at around 9800 ft. We normally camp below Helen Lake to avoid the crowds. The afternoon is spent learning ice axe and crampon techniques to prepare you for the climb of Avalanche Gulch. We then have an early dinner and early to bed to prepare for our summit climb of Mount Shasta the next day.

Day 3
We wake up early for our alpine start to climb Mount Shasta, probably around 2am. Climbing by headlamp, we make our way up the Avalanche Gulch route towards the famous Red Banks. At some point before the Red Banks we are rewarded by sunrise and the shadow of Mount Shasta. Moving up past the Thumb, it on to Misery Hill (not really much misery!) and then to the summit plateau. All that is left is the summit pinnacle after which we stand upon the summit of Mount Shasta (14,180 ft)! We then make our way back down to camp, possibly glissading along the way. After breaking our high camp we continue back to the Bunny Flat trailhead, usually arriving in the very late afternoon. Climbing Mt Shasta is a long, yet rewarding day!

Itinerary subject to change & the summit of Mount Shasta is subject to safe weather and snow conditions