Hi

I've never done any bona fide climbing (the closest thing to a real mountain down here in Australia is Mount Kosciuszko at 2228 m), but I want to climb any and hopefully all of these South American peaks. If you're planning to climb any/all of these between November 2007 and February 2008 and don't mind having a complete beginner in your team, please let me know.

So this sounds naïve, eh? Of course it does! But how else does someone who lives in Australia get to become a mountaineer? Please, any advice, suggestion, etc. would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Sam.

astaverde wrote:But how else does someone who lives in Australia get to become a mountaineer?

Spend some holidays in NZ, maybe? There was an Edmund somebody from the neighborhood who turned out OK.

Want to join our team. We have three on the team now doing Aconcagua. We arrive Dec 14th. Plan on leaving Jan 2. Our Guide company is 7Summits.com. About the only issue is you'd be paired up with my dad tent wise and he snores really bad.

We are all rookies so you may not learn much from us.

I am going to Ecuador to climb from Jan 18 to Feb 5 and you would be welcome to join. The intenerary is still fluid but will include Iliniza Norte as one of the acclimatization climbs and hopefully finish with Chimborazo, Cotopaxi and Cayambe. There will be more warm-up climbs before the higher mountains, but I am still pondering the possibilities.

astaverde wrote:Hi

I've never done any bona fide climbing (the closest thing to a real mountain down here in Australia is Mount Kosciuszko at 2228 m), but I want to climb any and hopefully all of these South American peaks. If you're planning to climb any/all of these between November 2007 and February 2008 and don't mind having a complete beginner in your team, please let me know.

So this sounds naïve, eh? Of course it does! But how else does someone who lives in Australia get to become a mountaineer? Please, any advice, suggestion, etc. would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Sam.

Have you thought of doing a multi day mountaineering course somewhere? I would suggest this company out of New Zealand since they are relatively close to you....http://www.adventure.co.nz/AdventureNZ/ClimbingCourses/

I would be shocked if could find a team that would allow someone with your experience level to join their group on these mountains.

Some general advice on how to start mountaineering is also available on this Forum:

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=32237

Sam, I am tentatively planning on heading to Chile/Argentenia this December and Janurary.

I still have a lot of planning to do, but I was considering trying Aconcagua and then heading north to Ojos de Salados. I then would like to head south toward patagonia- and explore the lake district, Fitzroy area, and the Torres del paines area- ascending as many peaks as possible along the way.
I really want to head to Tierra Del Fuego too.

I am far from being an expert alpine climber (have only three years of experience)- but I am very proficient with rope management and self-resuce systems (both on rock and snow). I have spent some time in the big moutnains, but am a frequent trad climber. I have never used a guide.

You mentioned bagging some peaks in the Cordillera Blanca and Ecuador. These mountains, I think, are several thousand miles from Aconcagua. And I am not sure that Huescaran would be in season in December or Janurary.

If you would be up for heading south, rather than north, and find my above itenerary appealing- then let me know!

After Tierra del Fuego, I will likely head to Rio and visit an ex-girlfriend. You're on your own at that point!