About Us
SWS Mountain Guides™
We now operate the broadest range of programs in the most venues in California of any guides service: Mt. Shasta, Mt. Whitney, Castle Crags, Alabama Hills, Crystal Crag, Bear Valley, Lover’s Leap, Calaveras Dome, North Palisade, Temple Crag, Mt. Sill, The Incredible Hulk, International Expeditions, and much more!
Winter Adventures include mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, avalanche education, backcountry ski/snowboard mountaineering, and multi-day ski tours.
Summer Adventures include mountaineering, glacier & crevasse rescue courses, summer snow & glacier climbing, Mt Shasta ascents, rock climbing, Mt Whitney ascents, Sequoia-Kings Canyon backpacking, Nepal trekking, and more!
California Rock Guides™
While the name may seem new (established in 2013), we have been around since 1981 and are one of the oldest rock guiding companies in California with rock climbing venues from the Southern- Sierra Nevada to Castle Crag by Mount Shasta. We bring a depth and variety of experience that few can match. California Rock Guides™ is grounded on the principle of providing a high-quality rock guide service throughout California.
California Ski Guides™
While the name may seem new (established in 2013), we have been around since 1981 and are one of the oldest backcountry ski guiding companies in California with ski & riding venues from the Southern- Sierra Nevada to Mount Shasta. We bring a depth and variety of experience that few can match. California Ski Guides™ is grounded on the principle of providing a high-quality, high energy ski guide service throughout California.
Welcome to SWS Mountain Guides, California Rock Guides & California Ski Guides, all operating as complementary guide companies under our parent corporation Sierra Wilderness Seminars Inc. SWS was founded by Timothy Keating in Mt. Shasta in 1981 and is celebrating 40 years of guiding adventure lovers into the California wilderness.
In 2017, SWS purchased Mountain Adventure Seminars, founded in Bear Valley in 1996, and brought an additional 20 years of outdoor adventures to our guiding family. SWS Mountain Guides, California Ski Guides, and California Rock Guides are led by Timothy Keating, David Cressman, and JB Brown and reflect their love for the outdoors and enthusiasm for introducing, sharing, and educating others in “the wild places.” We are thrilled to bring Bear Valley and all MAS courses into the SWS family.
SWS Offices are located in Bear Valley, CA, Lone Pine, CA & Mt Shasta City, CA
OFFICES
Main Office & SWS Shasta Bunk House
210 East Lake St., Mount Shasta, California 96067
Bear Valley Office:
P.O. Box 5104
265 Bear Valley Rd, Bear Valley, California 95223
Lone Pine Office:
120 South Main St., Suite 1.5, Lone Pine, California 93545
888-797-6867 
mail@swsmtns.com
SHASTA BUNKHOUSE
Located right next to the SWS Mountain Guides Office at 212 East Lake St.
Enjoy a comfortable stay in our Mountain Bunkhouse! Meet other climbers, plan future adventures or socialize with like-minded adventurers. The Bunkhouse is inspired from our years of experience in huts, tea houses and accommodations from around the world. Give us a call about group rates or special events. Tim: 888-797-6867
OUR GUIDES
SWS Mountain Guides has been in continuous operation since 1981 and is one of the oldest backcountry mountain guiding companies in California. Our quality of instruction & guidance in the mountains rests in our organizational strength, commitment to safety, and quality of our guides. They are passionate, generous instructors and talented guides who have tremendous enthusiasm for sharing mountain experiences with our clients. Professional training from the American Mountain Guides Association, American Avalanche Association, Leave No Trace, Wilderness Medical Associations. Our consulting physician Dr. Emily Sagalyn MD, MPH, FAWM, and SWS Mountain Guides professionally conducted bi-annual training and a commitment to mentoring. We are dedicated to professional training, maintaining a high commitment to our maintaining expertise and safety in the mountains, drawn from 40 years of professional guiding experience.
Our Partners
