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Sam Kieckhefer

About

Born and raised in Northern California, Sam began exploring the Sierra and developed a love for the mountains at a young age. A lifelong skier, he started backcountry skiing in 2010 and found his way up Mt. Shasta on only his second ski tour ever. After years of gaining experience skiing and climbing in the mountain west, he started guiding in 2019. Sam guides year round throughout California as well as a couple of international expeditions each year. He also teaches both recreational and professional avalanche courses for the American Avalanche Institute.

Sam is an AMGA Certified Ski Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide, and an AIARE Course Instructor. He lives on the West Shore of Lake Tahoe with his wife Susie and their son Wally.

Trips

Mount Shasta West Face 3-Day Ski
Climb and Ski Mount Shasta. Experience 4,000+ feet of incredible climbing and skiing on the massive West Face. This 3-day Shasta climb and ski mountaineering trip is the perfect opportunity for advanced backcountry skiers to take their ski mountaineering skills to the next level and gain confidence to ski bigger, more technical lines. Don’t forget the fantastic views stretching as far as you can see atop this 14,169 ft volcano.

The West Face of Mt Shasta will be an extremely fun ski descent for both experienced “big mountain” skiers and those looking to move into bigger terrain from their local mountains. Advanced level skiers and riders with 25+days of touring experience are welcome.

On day one you’ll ascend to Hidden Valley, where you will set up camp, go over basic snow climbing and ski mountaineering techniques, and discuss the next day. With an early alpine start on day 2, you will summit Mt Shasta by late morning/early afternoon and then make long ski descent down the wide-open terrain of the West Face, all the way back to camp. Day 3, you’ll have breakfast at camp, while enjoying the awe-inspiring views from Hidden Valley and ski down to the trailhead. For especially motivated groups, it is possible to also summit Shastina on day 3 before heading down, an incredible ski experience in its own right.
Seasonality
Apr-Jul
Mount Shasta Intro to Mountaineering + Summit
This Shasta mountaineering school and North Side summit climb is designed to prepare aspiring mountaineers for high-altitude peaks around the world.

With two days of skills training on Mount Shasta‘s Hotlum Glacier, it is the perfect opportunity to learn mountaineering skills here in California. The Northeast Side on Mount Shasta holds numerous complex routes that cross massive sheets of ice; perfect for glacial travel, crevasse rescue and snow travel skills work.

After spending the last two days developing the skills necessary for a successful summit of Mount Shasta, it will be time for our own summit bid. An Alpine Start will kick off our day, as we move under the cover of the stars towards the summit. We’ll utilize all of our new skills as we climb the beautiful North Side route of Mount Shasta. After a short celebration at the summit of Mount Shasta, one of California’s most iconic peaks, we’ll begin our descent back to base camp where will we get some much needed rest before trekking back to the trailhead the following day.

MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS YOU WILL LEARN:

  • - Introduction to Mount Shasta‘s alpine environment
  • - Glacier anatomy and hazard recognition
  • - Overview of equipment
  • - Moving over steep snow
  • - Crampons and Ice axe use
  • - Diagonal and direct ascent and descent
  • - Self arrest
  • - Crevasse rescue
  • - Basic rope-work
  • - Knots and hitches
  • - Snow anchors and load transfers
  • - Belaying and rappelling + raising and lowering
  • - Guided vs non-guided rope-work
  • - Strategies to increase security
Seasonality
Jun-Jul

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