New to Mountaineering

[zestyziggy]

Hey guys!
I've decided this year is the year that I'm going to start mountaineering. Where's a good place to start? I'm aware that classes are offered at the CMC and I plan on taking those as soon as possible. Are there clubs I can join? and what gear is recommended? Thanks for all the help.

[Sbenfield]

I had a good time with the CMC wilderness Trekking School!

[d_baker]

Hey guys!
I've decided this year is the year that I'm going to start mountaineering. Where's a good place to start? I'm aware that classes are offered at the CMC and I plan on taking those as soon as possible. Are there clubs I can join? and what gear is recommended? Thanks for all the help.

What' are your goals, specifically?
What's your definition of mountaineering?
What's your current level of experience?

[zestyziggy]

Hey guys!
I've decided this year is the year that I'm going to start mountaineering. Where's a good place to start? I'm aware that classes are offered at the CMC and I plan on taking those as soon as possible. Are there clubs I can join? and what gear is recommended? Thanks for all the help.

What' are your goals, specifically?
What's your definition of mountaineering?
What's your current level of experience?

Honestly I have no clue, it seems like a good experience and I want to see where it takes me. To me its climbing excursions, of any class, in the winter. I have a pretty strong cardio and can do 15-20 miles in a day. I've done 14ers but nothing technical.

[zestyziggy]

I had a good time with the CMC wilderness Trekking School!

That's good to hear! Do they provide gear or do you have to bring your own?

[Eli Boardman]

This is what worked for me, and what I'd recommend:

1. Pick a goal (let's say: "climb a 14er in winter").

2. Research it a bunch and find out what you need to learn (in this example, look up which 14ers are safest in winter (Quandary), then read Quandary trip reports from Dec - March).

3. Pick up the gear and/or skills you need (maybe take an intro avalanche avoidance class, buy microspikes, study mountain forecasts, make sure your boots are warm enough, etc.).

4. Make a conservative attempt (simply start hiking and turn around if things start to go south).

5. Evaluate your success/failure and repeat cycle (maybe you turned around because your water bottles froze--next time you know to keep them inside your pack and turn them upside-down).

Note: a lot of this could be simplified by finding an experienced mentor or taking tons of dedicated classes, which many will recommend. I prefer the DIY approach, and finding the right mentor is far from a given.

[d_baker]

Zesty, do what Eli said!! He's proven that approach works!

[SchralpTheGnar]

Make sure you hike back to the trailhead still racked for that authentic mountaineering clankity clack

[pvnisher]

What's the quote, "if you're warm, regular, rested, or well fed then you're not mountaineering."
Ha.

[asbochav]

Learn about the ten essentials and how to use them.

Learn all you can about ethical mountaineering and "leave no trace" travel. Practice what you have learnt.

[nyker]

Hey guys!
I've decided this year is the year that I'm going to start mountaineering. Where's a good place to start? I'm aware that classes are offered at the CMC and I plan on taking those as soon as possible. Are there clubs I can join? and what gear is recommended? Thanks for all the help.

Zestyziggy, that's great. As far as where to start, read through topics and trip reports on this site, you'll see what different mountains are like in and outside of Colorado (though one can only glean so much from reading about a mountain vs. being on the mountain). Post questions here, there is a lot of collective knowledge on this site. Get a copy of Freedom of The Hills, also get some of the recent editions of Accidents in North American Mountaineering, to learn what can go wrong and to prepare to help mitigate those risks. and... get out on the trails!

[peter303]

With winter around the corner, I suggest viewing an avalanche awareness video. That is a constant issue for backcountry excursions. This video will tell you how to avoid avalanche prone areas. If you want to go out in areas where avalanches occur, then you follow this up with a field course on how interpret snow signs and use avalanche rescue equipment.