How to Pack for a 2-3 Day Guided Climb on Mount Shasta

Note: This blog post is an updated and edited version of an earlier post published on May 23, 2022. I've added new information and insights to ensure it remains relevant and valuable.

Climbing Mount Shasta is a challenging feat. Spreading the climb out over 2-3 days can make the experience more comfortable and memorable. Carrying a heavy backpack is the only drawback to spending a night or two on the mountain. If you want to make your next climb as fun and successful as possible, it's helpful to factor a heavy pack into your training and to consider what and how you pack for the mountain. Carrying a fully loaded backpack, including overnight gear and climbing equipment, in steep terrain is one of the most energy-demanding tasks in the mountains. Climbers who focus on comfort and packing light can conserve the most energy.

Are you unsure about what to bring and how to pack for a 2-3 day guided climb on Mount Shasta? Here are some practical tips to help you pack your backpack effectively and prepare for your adventure.

What to Bring

Below is an equipment checklist that Shasta Mountain Guides uses for 2 to 3-day climbs on most regular routes.

This list is the property of Shasta Mountain Guides and is provided here for your convenience. For more specific information, context, and details about rental equipment available in Mount Shasta, visit the SMG gear page. Find the link at the bottom of this post.

Any reputable guide will conduct a thorough gear check before setting out. It’s an essential step in a safe, fun, and successful trip on the mountain. There might be slight differences between the gear presented here and the gear your guide recommends. This would be because of current route and weather conditions. When in doubt, default to your guides’ recommendations and advice. 

SMG Gear List

• MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS

• BACKPACK

• PUFFY JACKET

• CRAMPONS

• ICE AXE

• HELMET

• TREKKING/SKI POLES

• SLEEPING BAG & PAD

• SHELL JACKET AND PANTS (WATERPROOF/WATER-RESISTANT)

• MIDLAYERS

• LIGHTWEIGHT HIKING LAYERS

• GLOVES

• BASELAYERS, SOCKS & UNDERWEAR

• GLACIER GLASSES/SUNGLASSES (& GOGGLES)

• SUNSCREEN, HATS & FACE PROTECTION

• GAITERS

• HEADLAMP

• WATER BOTTLES (& WATER BLADDERS)

• CAMP SHOES (& HIKING SHOES/BOOTS)

• TOILETRIES AND PERSONAL ITEMS

• PERSONAL EATING UTENSILS

• SNACKS & FOOD

If you’re climbing the mountain without the services of a guide, it is only a partial list. Here are a few more things that you’ll need to add;

• Mountaineering skills, ability, and a good plan

• Wilderness Passes and Permits

• Knowledge of your planned route and current hazards

• Pot, stove, and fuel

• Nutritious food for breakfasts and dinners

• First aid kit, first aid training, and a good emergency plan

How to Pack Your Backpack

When it's finally time to pack your backpack, be mindful of how you pack. A well-packed backpack is safer and less fatiguing than one that is loose, unbalanced, and unwieldy, with all sorts of shit dangling on the outside. There is always a way to pack a load so that it's conducive to efficient travel. 

Here are a few simple principles to help you pack and handle a heavy backpack like a pro. Let me tell you about the "A-B-Cs" of packing;

A: Access: keep items that you need accessible near the top of your pack. These items usually include food, water, an extra layer, sunscreen, and athletic tape (or your blister kit).

B: Balance: A well-balanced backpack is more comfortable and less fatiguing than a pack that is out of balance. Pack heavy and bulky items low and centered in your pack. If your pack stands upright on its own without tipping over, it is balanced.

C: Compression: Compressing your loaded backpack will tighten the load within. Compression reduces the mass that you must carry and eliminates any shifting that might happen inside the pack. These factors make your load easier to pick up, shoulder, and carry.

D: Dry: If the weather forecast calls for precipitation, pack to keep yourself and essential items like your sleeping bag, warm socks, and extra clothing dry. This can mean lining your pack with a heavy trash bag and keeping your weatherproof shell handy. Consider packing your tent or shelter near the top of your pack so it's ready to deploy when you arrive at camp.

E: Everything Inside; Packing nearly everything safely inside your pack ensures that you will not lose gear or drop it on people below you. It also reduces fatigue and improves your balance while carrying the pack by eliminating externally packed equipment's swing and rotational force.

A Virtual Gear Check & Packing

In this video, I take viewers through a thorough gear check that includes everything needed for a two—to three-day guided climb on Mount Shasta.

The video also includes instructions for packing your backpack. Finally, I weigh the fully loaded backpack (with full water bottles). The weight might surprise you.

Packing lists may differ due to specific route objectives, climbing conditions, weather forecasts, and group dynamics, so if you’re climbing with a guide, defer to their recommendations. 

Whether you’re planning on climbing the mountain guided or independently, I hope you find something helpful here.