Beginner needs help
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 7:18 am
A little bit about me: A student in the middle of nowhere in Illinois, backpacking (cascades and sierras) + indoor climbing experience, lived an alpine life vicariously through summitpost for the last couple of years (thanks for the trip reports, awesome photos and the words of wisdom).
Since I am going to graduate in a year, I have decided to take the plunge and invest time + money on learning the right techniques this year. To learn the techniques of off-trail alpine travel, I am planning to sign up for an intro mountaineering course in the summer. I am seriously considering AAI's 6 day class + baker summit but would love to hear about any other suggestions that the experts here might have. AAI's was less expensive than alpine ascents and mountain madness. Since I can take off for > 6 days (more like 10-12) I am interested in doing some off-trail alpine exploration (like the ptarmigan or isolation traverse say, as an example) after the class but without signing up for a guided service as I cannot afford it. I do not want to do this solo and I do not know anyone experienced who could be a partner. I do not care for the area or the number of summits. I just want to learn the skills so I can confidently navigate through the mountains for scenery and solitude. Suffering is ok as long as I can get back home and not go to the hospital. Is there a good way I can explore the mountains (off-trail) as a poor newbie with no mentor?
Please help.
Here's my new year gift to all the summitposters with no adventure this winter:http://www.cascadecrusades.org/SkiMountaineering/pickettraverse/pickettraverse2010/pickets2010.htm
Since I am going to graduate in a year, I have decided to take the plunge and invest time + money on learning the right techniques this year. To learn the techniques of off-trail alpine travel, I am planning to sign up for an intro mountaineering course in the summer. I am seriously considering AAI's 6 day class + baker summit but would love to hear about any other suggestions that the experts here might have. AAI's was less expensive than alpine ascents and mountain madness. Since I can take off for > 6 days (more like 10-12) I am interested in doing some off-trail alpine exploration (like the ptarmigan or isolation traverse say, as an example) after the class but without signing up for a guided service as I cannot afford it. I do not want to do this solo and I do not know anyone experienced who could be a partner. I do not care for the area or the number of summits. I just want to learn the skills so I can confidently navigate through the mountains for scenery and solitude. Suffering is ok as long as I can get back home and not go to the hospital. Is there a good way I can explore the mountains (off-trail) as a poor newbie with no mentor?
Please help.
Here's my new year gift to all the summitposters with no adventure this winter:http://www.cascadecrusades.org/SkiMountaineering/pickettraverse/pickettraverse2010/pickets2010.htm