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Thanks Will that was very helpful

You mentioned Ecuador- I've been there twice. Very affordable and beautiful place, but keep in mind that guides are mandatory on all glaciated peaks.

My advice is avoid the cheap group tours and hire a top private guide. Just because you're guided doesn't necessarily mean it's safer. There was a Canadian girl killed on Cotopaxi the morning I went out there, she was in a guided group of eight.

There are a handful of UIAGM guides there who work for top western outfits like Adventure Consultants, RMI, Alpine Ascents, etc. and have guided all over the world. I can give you names if you PM me.

Climbing with a UIAGM guide this year, he treated me like an equal partner. No babying whatsoever. Really an awesome guy. We climbed some tough stuff in bad conditions and I'm a far better climber for going with him.

Mexico is also cheap and most people go unguided. Sr. Reyes and Sr. Canchola offer lodging and transport to the huts.

Also second the rec for the Pacific NW. Five gigantic volcanoes, technical stuff in the North Cascades, you could spend an entire summer there. After three overseas trips it's still my favorite place in the world.

mtvalley wrote:Also second the rec for the Pacific NW. Five gigantic volcanoes, technical stuff in the North Cascades, you could spend an entire summer there. After three overseas trips it's still my favorite place in the world.

Hmmm...so Josh and I seem to be correct. The North Cascades ARE the best place in the country

Guides are really required on all glaciated peaks in Ecuador?????

Guides are really required on all glaciated peaks in Ecuador?????

By law, but I'm not sure if it is enforced on all peaks.

mtvalley wrote:You mentioned Ecuador- I've been there twice. Very affordable and beautiful place, but keep in mind that guides are mandatory on all glaciated peaks.

My advice is avoid the cheap group tours and hire a top private guide. Just because you're guided doesn't necessarily mean it's safer. There was a Canadian girl killed on Cotopaxi the morning I went out there, she was in a guided group of eight.

There are a handful of UIAGM guides there who work for top western outfits like Adventure Consultants, RMI, Alpine Ascents, etc. and have guided all over the world. I can give you names if you PM me.

Climbing with a UIAGM guide this year, he treated me like an equal partner. No babying whatsoever. Really an awesome guy. We climbed some tough stuff in bad conditions and I'm a far better climber for going with him.

Mexico is also cheap and most people go unguided. Sr. Reyes and Sr. Canchola offer lodging and transport to the huts.

Also second the rec for the Pacific NW. Five gigantic volcanoes, technical stuff in the North Cascades, you could spend an entire summer there. After three overseas trips it's still my favorite place in the world.

Great thanks I will send you a PM, I would love a list of those guides.

I am thinking of doing the 19 day Ecuador Mountaineering school through Mountain Madness or the 12 day Alpine Expedition course through Adventure consultants that was mentioned earlier. I just really want to build up my skills to a level where I am prety self sufficient.

Sam - Keep in mind I might be a New Zealander but I live in Australia!

I think that is the plan now Sam. Looking to do a 12 day course over there in February.

I can get you a 6 day guided climb for $1500. Machame route

I think I will do adventure consultants 12 day alpine expedition course.

Chris im going to NZ not doing Kili

If you do end up going to the PNW of the United States, don't just settle for the highest peaks. Some of the lesser known stuff is actually the best. Pickets, Ptarmigan Traverse, and Stephan Matter Wilderness are to this day the best I've ever seen. I suppose I'll have to head to Canada to change that. I have a lower budget than most mountaineers. Right now I can't even afford a used pair of shoes that cost 10$ which is why I run with shoes that have a hole in it and get my feet soaked. My point is that even with how I'm doing financially, I can dirt bag a ton of awesome stuff. If you stop by in my area, I could help you in the PNW arena.

Regarding going cheap, buy gear used (except ropes and such). Buy food in bulk. Make sure you strategize how you cycle through your food so that non of it gets wasted. Dine out less. Go for the free camping (trust me, there is plenty of it). Car pool with partners to save some more dough. And finally if your a super dirt bag climber like me, eat top romen when your budget is really hurting. I once ran out of top romen and had to go on Rainier with almost purely bread, jelly, and peanut butter. As you could imagine I quit PB and J for the next week.

Now when your a little more than super poor, you can eat pretty well in the alpine without spending lots of moola.

Josh Lewis wrote:And finally if your a super dirt bag climber like me, eat top romen when your budget is really hurting. I once ran out of top romen and had to go on Rainier with almost purely bread, jelly, and peanut butter. As you could imagine I quit PB and J for the next week.

Wouldn't PBJ/PBH be more nutritious than ramen, especially if you use some cheap whole grain bread and a decent amount of peanut butter? You could even add sliced banana. On the other hand, I guess bread doesn't store as long and ramen is a little easier to not make a mess with if you want something warm. You were talking variety, so I guess you need the ramen, too. It seems like you've been managing well, so I guess expensive food can be overrated. Black beans, rice, and a little spice would also be cheap and very nutritious in bulk, but they take slightly more planning/time/effort. Add tortillas, a little cheese, and some avocado for a gourmet meal.

Josh Lewis wrote: I once ran out of top romen and had to go on Rainier with almost purely bread, jelly, and peanut butter. As you could imagine I quit PB and J for the next week.

Ha! That's living large! I once ran out of everything but butter and polenta, and had to live off that for a week in a mountain hut. Although that was more poor management than frugality.

Doc - PM me if you want any more details of the course from a participant POV. But, even though you're on a budget, I think you'll find it worth the money (so long as the weather cooperates)

WillP wrote:Ha! That's living large! I once ran out of everything but butter and polenta, and had to live off that for a week in a mountain hut. Although that was more poor management than frugality.

I'm guessing yours was on a big adventure. Mine was using all the resources I had from home which meant that coming back from the climb didn't mean tasty food. Fortunately my partners were super nice and bought me a meal afterwards. What were you doing living in a mountain hut for a week? The only time I've stayed in a mountain hut was on Rainier. At this point I'd pick a tent over the hut if weather is good.

If you look back 100 years ago, mountaineers did not have near the technology or resources yet persevered on some big peaks. It does not require a lot of money to be successful on local peaks, just pick the right peaks and conditions.

For long drives and/or mountaineering trips, take partners who are willing to share the costs of food, fuel, and pack weight.

For Kilimanjaro, don't cut corners on costs unless you have the skills and non-monetary resources to do so. If the costs of Kilimanjaro are a worry or a burden, then perhaps another (cheaper) high elevation goal should be made, or hold off doing Kilimanjaro until/unless discretionary funds are available.

Making mountaineering affordable include many travel tips

Check and ask price quotes for flight tickets direct to the destination. Example people flying to Tanzania, have to find direct flight to Kilimanjaro.

Second, Hotel standard, choose low budget hotel but quality suitable for International Tourist.

Hiring climbing gears, carry little items like goggles, Head torch,warm clothes and mountain boots. Only rent large items which you can not fly with them like walking poles, sleeping bags.

Here is guidelines on how much does it cost to climb mount Kilimanjaro http://www.kilimanjaroclimbsummiting.com/371284130%20climb%20Kilimanjaro%20in%20Tanzania,%20East%20Africa.

There are a TON of cheap destination in the rockies. Just need to stay a while and work in a hostel or at a ski hill or something. You may be the only aussie not here already!