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I'm looking for some advice on some shell gloves for a Mt. Shasta trip in June and then for use in SoCal mtns (San Jacinto, Baldy, San Gorgornio) during winter. I'm going with a friend up Shasta for a charity event and its set up through a guide company. They recommend gortex gloves. I don't have a lot of experience with winter gear so thought I'd ask for suggestions. I was thinking a light liner with a gortex shell would work well. Something similar to say the OR Arete gloves. I've also seen mitts. Can you handle an ice axe while wearing mitts?

Gloves aren't seam-sealed, so even Gore-Tex wets through. OutDry fixes that - get the MH Medusa or Hydra and don't look back. Bitchin' gloves aside from the waterproofing, too - tough palms, nice wrist cuffs, etc. Backcountry had them on sale recently. I had the Cima, which is the same as the Medusa but with synthetic palm (meh) and no OutDry. Those were it's only shortcomings, and I loved the heck out of them for ice, mountaineering, and skiing. I now have the Medusa as a second pair and can't think of any way to improve them.

They will get wet from sweat anyway - bring two pair for big mountains. Or, at least get a glove with a removable liner and bring extra fleece gloves to put inside.

Search for the thread on ice climbing gloves, and read the links - I have been oh-so-happy after doing so and following the advice within (which I just summarized for you).

If your hands run very cold, you'll be much happier with good mitts with waterproof shells. If you're just talking about standard snow travel routes, and not technical/ice climbing routes, you can definitely hold on to a mountain axe with thick expedition mitts, but I'd recommend having it on a leash that you attach to your harness or your pack hip belt (not your wrist), in case you fumble it. I have never had as much trouble with cold as I did on a June climb of Shasta - just the luck of the draw on that particular day. Colder than Denali - where I think I got lucky.

Personally, I wouldn't go up a mountain that has the potential for serious weather without mitts at least in the pack, even if you plan to wear gloves.

yeah, I won't be doing any ice climbing. This is more for snow travel. The Medusa looks nice, but they'll get wet from my hand sweating...and I don't think I want to buy two of them. I think it would be easier to get multiple liners for a shell.