My experience so far:
- Spent my summer long distance hiking through the Alps between Munich and Venice. Lots of mountain walking, and lots of elevation gain without reaching any particularly high peaks. Some easy scrambling and via ferrata, and we had to turn back from a few tougher routes which we were unprepared and ill-equipped for (important lessons learnt there!)
- Recently went to Snowdonia. Did the North Ridge on Tryfan (seriously if this is a grade I scramble I dread to think what grade III is) and the Crib Goch ridge to Snowdon in very windy and misty conditions. None of this was roped
- I've very recently started indoor climbing which I'm really enjoying, so I've been introduced to belaying
Long story short, I've fallen in love with the mountains, and want to gain the skills and experience to tackle some of the high Alps (although I don't expect to be doing any North Face's next year!) I'm confused as to what direction I should take next... take a course, indoor ice climbing, or just grab the gear and head out to Scotland (with some regard for personal safety of course). Money is a limiting factor for me right now. Thrusting myself into it has worked well so far but I can tell will get more and more risky. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
For the record, I'm 22, reasonably fit and healthy and live in London