Mount Shasta Northside Summit Climb via Hotlum Bolam Ridge

For over 15 years, we have been going to the summit of Mount Shasta. With over 50+ summits, your guide Shane knows Shasta! Join us and let Shane show you firsthand the difference a personally guided trip makes!

A guide’s favorite. Over 3 days, we’ll go to the summit of Mount Shasta via the Hotlum Bolam Ridge route. The Hotlum Bolam Ridge route is on the north side of Mt. Shasta and begins from the Northgate trailhead. This route is a step up in difficulty from the Avalanche Gulch and Clear Creek routes. The north side of Mount Shasta is a beautiful wilderness setting unlike any other part of the mountain. The north side of Mt Shasta hosts some of the largest glaciers in California. 

• All your mountaineering and overnight gear is included, except mountaineering boots and clothing. This includes sleeping bag, headlamp, crampons, ice axe, climbing harness, and more! You can rent mountain boots from the 5th Season gear shop in Mt Shasta City.
• All group camping equipment is included; such as tents and stoves. 
• All breakfasts and dinners are included while on the mountain and prepared for you by your guide. 
• Mt. Shasta Summit Passes and Wilderness Permits are also included. 
• Human waste pack out bags are also included. They are mandatory to use in the Mt Shasta Wilderness Area.

*For trips earlier in the season, consider checking out our Accelerated Mt Shasta Summit Climb. For trips on a more relaxed schedule, consider looking at our 3-Day Mt Shasta Summit Climb or Mt Shasta Summit Climb via Clear Creek trips. 

Itinerary 

DAY 1
This is a big day. We’ll meet at 7am in Mount Shasta City at Shastice Park for a gear check. Then we’ll drive to the Northgate trailhead at 7,000 feet. From the trailhead, we’ll make our approach hike up to 9,800 feet on the mountain where we’ll setup camp for the next two nights near the Hotlum Bolam Ridge.  In the afternoon, we’ll review basic ice axe and crampon skills before your guide prepares dinner. We’ll go to bed early in preparation for our summit attempt on Day 2, the following morning.  

DAY 2
The big day! We’ll wake up early at approximately 3am for an alpine start and make our summit attempt via the upper Hotlum Bolam Ridge. Our goal is to summit by 12pm, but there is some flexibility in our summit turnaround time due to only having to return to our high camp.  Our goal is to be back at our high camp by 3pm for our final night on the mountain.

DAY 3
We’ll have a relaxed morning and your guide will prepare a hot cooked breakfast with coffee and tea. After breakfast, we’ll breakdown camp and begin our hike out to the trailhead. The goal is to be back at the Northgate trailhead by 1pm. 

Documents for download: Detailed Trip Itinerary, Gear List