Mt Shasta Summit & Ski Descent 1 Day
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- Push Your Limits - Take your backcountry skiing to the next level on this giant Cascades volcano!
- Summit Attempt - This is a massive day, gaining over 7,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes, without taking lengthy breaks.
- Ski Descent - Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route and ski the variations holding the best snow, racking up over 6,000' of vertical!
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- 3:00-4:00am - Early Alpine Start - Meet up with your guide at the trailhead for a gear check and review of the plan for the day.
- 12:00-3:00pm - Summit Attempt - We'll make a push for the summit, stopping only to refuel, rehydrate and adjust layers on our way. We will go as long as stamina and conditions allow.
- 2:00-4:00pm - Ski Descent - Hard work and determination are handsomely rewarded as we enjoy the views and shred a continuous 7,000'+ feet back down to the trailhead!
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Expert Resort Riding Skills - Including steep and consequential off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.
- Intermediate Touring Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days of backcountry experience.
- Intermediate Ski Mountaineering Experience - Including ice ax, crampon, and basic rope skills.
- Excellent Fitness - Able to spend 12-16 continuous hours outside, moving uphill at over 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-2 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 12-15 miles, climbing 3,000-6,000 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with excellent fitness typically have a strenuous workout 4-6 days per week. Be ready for a sufferfest!
- Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Ropes & Gear
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski/Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Ski/Split Touring Gear
- Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
- Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
- Climbing Skins
- Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
- Adjustable Touring Poles
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Shovel
- Avalanche Probe
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Ski/Split Crampons
- Climbing Harness
Know Before you go
Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.
Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.
SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.
Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.
PRIVATE PROGRAMS
Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- 3:00-4:00am - Early Alpine Start - Meet up with your guide at the trailhead for a gear check and review of the plan for the day.
- 12:00-3:00pm - Summit Attempt - We'll make a push for the summit, stopping only to refuel, rehydrate and adjust layers on our way. We will go as long as stamina and conditions allow.
- 2:00-4:00pm - Ski Descent - Hard work and determination are handsomely rewarded as we enjoy the views and shred a continuous 7,000'+ feet back down to the trailhead!
We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:
- Push Your Limits - Take your backcountry skiing to the next level on this giant Cascades volcano!
- Summit Attempt - This is a massive day, gaining over 7,000’ of elevation over various snow surfaces and steep slopes, without taking lengthy breaks.
- Ski Descent - Once we reach our high point, we’ll descend the route and ski the variations holding the best snow, racking up over 6,000' of vertical!
Here's the schedule for your trip:
- 3:00-4:00am - Early Alpine Start - Meet up with your guide at the trailhead for a gear check and review of the plan for the day.
- 12:00-3:00pm - Summit Attempt - We'll make a push for the summit, stopping only to refuel, rehydrate and adjust layers on our way. We will go as long as stamina and conditions allow.
- 2:00-4:00pm - Ski Descent - Hard work and determination are handsomely rewarded as we enjoy the views and shred a continuous 7,000'+ feet back down to the trailhead!
Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:
- Expert Resort Riding Skills - Including steep and consequential off-piste terrain in challenging snow conditions.
- Intermediate Touring Experience - Including efficient gear management and skinning, transition technique, with 20+ days of backcountry experience.
- Intermediate Ski Mountaineering Experience - Including ice ax, crampon, and basic rope skills.
- Excellent Fitness - Able to spend 12-16 continuous hours outside, moving uphill at over 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-2 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 12-15 miles, climbing 3,000-6,000 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with excellent fitness typically have a strenuous workout 4-6 days per week. Be ready for a sufferfest!
- Ski/Split Touring, Avalanche, & Ski Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Here's what's included with your trip:
- Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
- Ropes & Gear
- Group Safety Gear - your guide will be equipped with snow science tools and a first aid kit
- Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
- Ski/Splitboard Gear
- Avalanche Gear
- Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness
- Guide Gratuities
Ski/Split Touring Gear
- Alpine Touring Ski or Splitboard Setup - No snowshoes
- Alpine Touring or Splitboard Boots
- Climbing Skins
- Touring Backpack - with pockets for avalanche gear
- Adjustable Touring Poles
- Avalanche Beacon
- Avalanche Shovel
- Avalanche Probe
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
- Ski/Split Crampons
- Climbing Harness
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Awesome Experience
“Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.
An Exceptional Course
“I took an AIARE 1 with Blackbird and couldn't recommend it more. The knowledge gained was well-worth every penny, and then some."
Too Good For Words
Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!
An Incredible Weekend!
Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!
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