SWS Mountain Guides
Mt Shasta, Mt Whitney & Beyond
Guiding the world’s mountains since 1981
We’re one of California’s original guiding services for climbing, skiing, and avalanche education
Adventure, Education, & Experience you can trust
Featured Climbs & Courses
Mt Shasta Casaval Ridge Summit Attempts
Mt Shasta Ski & Splitboard Descents
Wilderness First Responder Courses
Friday, Sept 25th – Monday, Sept 28th
Raft Supported Hiking On The Wild & Scenic Rogue River
4 Days / 3 Nights Camp/Lodge Combo
May through September
October, November & December
2026-2027
Mexico Volcanoes Expedition
SPRING & FALL Departures
2026 – 2027
California Mountain Guides Blog
Early Season Rock Climbing in California: Where to Climb When Spring Comes Early
An unusually warm early spring across California has launched rock climbing season ahead of schedule. As the snow quickly melts and the granite dries out, climbers are already flocking to the crags to seize long sunny days and perfect climbing on Sierra granite. For...
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...
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...
SWS Mountain Guides Adventures are more then just reaching the Summit
We believe that every mountain adventure should be about more than reaching the summit. Since 1981, our focus has been on creating trips that help guests grow—not just as climbers, but as individuals. Whether you’re joining us for a guided climb of Mt Shasta, Mt Whitney, one of the many Eastern Sierra Nevada peaks, or heading out on one of our international expeditions like Everest Base Camp or the Mexican Volcanoes, our goal is to make sure the experience means something deeper.
As a long-established Shasta guide service, we offer more than just summits. We offer California based guided rock climbing, ski tours and descents, avalanche education, glacier training, backpacking trips, and international expeditions. We have designed every trip we offer to support personal growth, skill development, and to give back to the local communities and environments we work in. We believe a mountain trip should benefit more than just those climbing — it should have a positive impact on the surrounding area and the people connected to it. With our experienced guide team from California Rock Guides, California Ski Guides, and one of the original California Mountain Guides, we’re here to help you find not just the summit, but the story behind it. Whether it’s Bear Valley rock climbing, Mt Shasta’s Hotlum Bolam Ridge, or trekking in Nepal, we’ll help you take the next step. Find your next adventure with us — We believe the journey matters as much as the climb.
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