How do you REALLY get into alpine climbing?

When I wanted to learn to climb trad and walls, I bought a Supertopo and spent two months in camp 4. Came out a lot more experienced with trad, understood how to climb walls...etc. Also met a ton of like-minded people.

Where does one go to find the same scene for alpinism?

Alaska is good for that too

Chamonix, Squamish, Canmore, Bugaboos, El Chaltén, Huaraz

All fine locations with varying levels of route difficulty and commitment. Showing up without a partner can problematic/ill advised in some of these places.

Estes Park. There are a LOT of hard men based out of there.
Ouray/Ridgeway would also be a good place to start in the US.

Chamonix is probably the epicenter for alpinism, but closer to home, the Cascades in Washington provide an excellent training ground.

The Tetons have been an alpine training ground for a long time. If you live there, you can catch the sweet conditions that visitors only dream of.

You don't have to go far. Wait until it is good and cold out. Then run outside and pour snow down the back of your shirt for fifteen minutes then beat your head against the side of the house for another fifteen minutes while shouting "This is f@en great."

You have now experienced alpine climbing.

Okay for real...right up the road from you in Estes Park. Start with something mellow like the Kiener's route on Long's Peak. There is tons of stuff in RMNP to keep you busy and plenty of locals to climb with.

Merry Christmas.

Colin,
I might be available for something Tuesday or Wednesday(12/27, 12/28).

Let me know.

-Shane

Colin Simon wrote: Where does one go to find the same scene for alpinism?

Check the Neptune Mountaineering website neptunemountaineering.com for slide shows or presentations which are heavily directed towards alpine climbing, mountaineering etc. Then make plans to wander with the crowd over to The Southern Sun and make friends/contacts there. It's a great informal way to meet people and get acquainted.

The same may be said of the Estes Park crowd although they may be a bit rougher than the Boulderites...............

Chamonix is a great plan to meet people. Places like Elevations 1903, the youth hostal, EPIC, are all climber hangs.

Huaraz is simular but I think less climber-centric. More trekkers.........

Good luck

cascades.