climb Mt. Shasta

The family made plans to climb last month. This summer the snow pack is so low that it created a danger from falling rock. There are other routes, but they require more than we had, so we postponed the trip.
Next year. And I will be ready!

Questions about fitness

All of our trips are physically strenuous; however, many people from diverse age groups and physical abilities climb to the summit with us every year. To get the most out of your climb, we recommend that you start an exercise regimen several months prior to your trip.

A routine that incorporates aerobic activity and muscle strengthening will provide the best training. A balance between weight lifting and aerobic exercise is ideal. If possible, we recommend that you incorporate outdoor training into your program. For example, begin with hiking up moderate trails or stairways without the weight of a backpack. Slowly and conservatively add weight to a back pack as you increase your hiking pace and move on to more difficult trails. The key to an efficient climb on Mt. Shasta lies in a climber’s ability to maintain a slow and steady pace. Normally, our guides strive to keep groups moving for 1-1.5 hours between breaks. We recommend that you work towards maintaining 1-1.5 hr. hiking intervals with a weighted pack on your training hikes.

The best training to climb is to simulate the activity, hiking uphill with a backpack on. If trails are not assessable to you we recommend using a gym, taking the stairs in your building, cycling and jogging. Work toward an hour of uninterrupted aerobic activity. Always consult your doctor before beginning
any exercise program.

from http://www.shastaguides.com/faq.shtml