I would start climbing the mountains in UK. There are tons of mountains in Wales and Scotland, smaller than Ben Nevis but technically more challenging.
I understand your fascination for the "tallests" (Mont Blanc, etc) but this philosophy is not always the most rewarding

Plenty of more (hard) things to do in Scotland, and if you've done all of those, do them in winter!

hifi87 wrote:Cheers guys, I think I'll organise a few munro's next month and in the spring.
I read a report about climbing in scotland in winder and spring and it mentioned using crampons and ice axes, am i likley to need these?

I've hiked a couple of munros in winter and I'd say yes, in most cases (except thick soft snow, where snowshoes may be more appropriate), you'll need this gear. In some bad periods of the winter (January, February) you must also be aware that there might be not possibility at all to go to mountains...

Yes, I agree with the rest of the SPosters...Go progressively and step by step. Firstly get used to normal hikes in the UK and also learn to do them in winter conditions.

Try to get a competent walking-partner who wants to teach you all the technnics of this sport. To be fit is not the most important, but to do the right things, and to know not to get in troubles (and if you are in them, how to go out of them)....

Get help of some professionals in the alps, doing some mountaineering courses, on the glaciers...learn how to do trekkings through the big mountains in the Alps...before you get to the tops...

When you go topping, firstly learn how to do it on the easiest 3000ers, and then on the easiest 4000ers...

You can beging to do sport-climbing top-roping indoor. Then learn how to lead easy routes (always under the level you can climb top-roping,...)

This, if you are doing it good, will take some time...even years of practise and expertise...in a couple of intensive training you'll be ready!

Good luck and best whises..

hifi87 wrote:Cheers guys, I think I'll organise a few munro's next month and in the spring.

I read a report about climbing in scotland in winder and spring and it mentioned using crampons and ice axes, am i likley to need these?

If you go walking or climbing in Scotland in winter you should take an ice axe and crampons, and know how to use them! Maybe try a winter skills course?