California Mountaineering Courses & Guided Alpine Climbing

Alpine climbing is pure adventure. Also known as mountaineering, it encompasses the full range of mountain climbing disciplines including rock climbing, ice climbing and snow climbing in an "alpine" or mountain environment. Our Sierra Nevada & Cascade summer & winter mountaineering courses are designed to enable guests & climbers of all ability levels to move efficiently through alpine climbing terrain, whether on rock snow or ice.

• Sierra Nevada Mountaineering
• High Sierra Alpine Rock Climbing
• Mount Shasta Climbs & Glacier Courses
• Sierra Nevada & Cascades Winter Mountaineering
• Alpine climbing instruction and training

We utilize AMGA trained and IFMGA/UIAGM certified alpine climbing guides

For alpine climbing in Europe, South America and other parts of the world check out our international division, International Alpine Guides

"Our experience with California Alpine Guides was one we will never forget.
We look forward to many other trips with California Alpine Guides in the future!
You instilled the trust in our own capabilities to make our goals areality. Thank you."
Bobbette and Bill, San Diego, CA.

In addition to the trips listed below, we can arrange private guided climbs throughout California

Winter Mountaineering:

Our most popular winter course, we've been running these mountaineering course for many years here in California. Receive winter mountaineering training, including avalanche awareness, in all aspects of alpine winter mountaineering from a professional AMGA certified and trained mountain guide.

Intro To Winter Mountaineering Course - Eastern Sierra Nevada
Sawtooth Range , Eastern Sierra Nevada - 3 days
Learn winter mountaineering in the amazing Sawtooth Range in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, close to Northern California and not too far from Los Angeles. California's best alpine training ground. Climb Matterhorn Peak in the winter!
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Intro To Winter Mountaineering Course - Sequoia
Sequoia National Park, Western Sierra Nevada - 3 days
Learn winter mountaineering in spectacular Sequoia National Park, on the West side of the Sierra Nevada, close to Southern & Central California. Receive winter mountaineering training in all the basics.
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Winter Alpine Climbing Course - Eastern Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada, California - 7 days
A comprehensive winter climbing course for beginners. Receive training in all the basics of winter mountaineering including ice climbing and rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra of California. Inlcudes a winter summit attempt of Matterhorn Peak.
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Advanced Winter Mountaineering Course - Sierra Nevada
Sawtooth Range, Sierra Nevada - 4 days
A technical climbing course with winter mountaineering training in advanced techniques such as rope work, anchors and belayed travel as well as technical rock in crampons. This winter mountaineering course includes an attempt of Matterhorn Peak via a technical winter climbing route.
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Sierra Nevada Mountaineering & Alpine Climbing:

Many of our alpine climbing courses are conducted in the Sawtooth Range in the High Sierra - California's most spectacular alpine climbing venue. Receive valuable training from IFMGA and AMGA certified and trained mountain guides.

Alpine Mountain Camp - 3 day, Intro to Mountaineering
The Sawtooth Range - Sierra Nevada
An introduction to Alpine climbing & mountaineering in the Sawtooth Range of the Sierra Nevada, including a guided ascent of spectacular Matterhorn Peak (12,279 ft)
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Alpine Climbing Course - 7days
The Sawtooth Range, Sierra Nevada
An extensive climbing course in alpine climbing & technical mountaineering. Includes climbing instruction in all aspects of mountaineering such as rock climbing, glacier travel & creavasse rescue, ice axe and crampon techniques. Suitable for those with no previous climbing experience who want it all or for those with previous experience who want to refine their skills for climbing the high peaks. Includes a summit of Matterhorn Peak via a technical 5th class route.
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Technical Alpine Rock Climbing Camp
The Sawtooth Range, Sierra Nevada - 5 days
Rock Climbing on the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Receive technical training all the aspects of alpine style rock climbing. Includes a technical rock climbing route on Matterhorn Peak.
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Matterhorn Peak - The North Arete (5.6)
The Sawtooth Range, Sierra Nevada - 2 days
A guided technical rock climbing route on Matterhorn Peak. The North Arete is one of the Sierra Nevada's classic alpine rock routes and on many climbers tick lists. A great first High Sierra rock climb.
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The Incredible Hulk - Red Dihedral (5.10b)
The Sawtooth Range, Sierra Nevada - 2 days
A guided technical rock climbing route on the spectacular Incredible Hulk, home to some of the High Sierra's finest granite. The Red Dihedral is one of the Sierra's best 5.10 routes.
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Mount Shasta Climbs & Courses:

Intro to Mountaineering - Mt Shasta Summit
Mount Shasta 14,162 feet - 3 Days
Learn all the aspects of mountaineering and snow climbing while climbing Mount Shasta, California's spectacular 14'er. Suitable for those with little or no mountaineering and climbing experience.
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Mount Shasta Glacier Travel & Ice Climbing
Mt Shasta - 5 days
A glacier travel, crevasse rescue & ice climbing course with a summit attempt of Mount Shasta, the Everest of California. Receive technical alpine ice climbing and mountaineering training from a professional mountain guide that will take you to the high mountains of the world.
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For Mt Shasta information check out our Mount Shasta Travel Page

Mt. Shasta climbs & courses are operated by Shasta Mountain Guides, a company permitted by the Shasta/Trinity National Forest

Custom Mountaineering Courses
From private guiding or groups, allow us to arrange a custom California summer or winter mountaineering trip for you. From The Cascades to the Sierra's.

"Thanks again for the great time and
the professionalism you showed
on the winter mountaineering course"
Randy Davis, Huntington Beach, CA

For high-altitude alpine climbing & mountaineering in other parts of the world check out our international division, International Alpine Guides.