How do you meet other alpine climbers?

In my (admittedly limited) experience, the SMC folk are quite reasonable and non-bureaucratic. I also suspect they'd be quite happy if someone started adding 4-person events as well.

With more public groups, often strict requirements are posted in an attempt to filter out the "too unqualified to realize it" crowd.

Jeremy B. wrote:In my (admittedly limited) experience, the SMC folk are quite reasonable and non-bureaucratic. I also suspect they'd be quite happy if someone started adding 4-person events as well. With more public groups, often strict requirements are posted in an attempt to filter out the "too unqualified to realize it" crowd.

Sean Kolk wrote: which groups was transitioning to a for profit model?

Per the group owner SMC requires helmets for everyone, leading or belaying, single or mutipitch, alpine or sport. And everyone needs to be pre approved by the trip organizer to climb at their event, in theory even if I'm leading on my rope with my gear at a public crag that they are climbing at. That's the way SCMA did it. To me that's a deal breaker.

other wrote:... even if I'm leading on my rope with my gear at a public crag that they are climbing at. That's the way ...

A couple of years ago, I set a goal for myself to break out of the top roping classes, and learn to trad climb. I didn't find any real classes on trad climbing beyond an introduction, and I didn't want to spend alot of money hiring guides.

After really making very little progress, last year I discovered the Sierra Mountaineering Club, SMC, on Meetup.com. See sierramountaineeringclub.org . They are based out of Sacramento, but have tons of members from the Bay Area and Reno. A few are crazy enough to drive from SoCal like me.

My first outing with them was to Joshua Tree just after Christmas. I signed up as a free (non-paying) member and joined the Meetup. I was approved with no problems. About 20 of us showed up. It was awesome. Friendly folks, and the club president/founder Darren loves to teach. The second day, Darren says "George, this is a 5.2 and I'd like you to lead it." So I did. I'm not so sure my belay partner was thrilled, but for me, it was the perfect way to start. I could have free soloed it, so reasonably safe way to start.

The next outing I could make was to Alabama Hills in May. I climbed, and made more friends. One of them invited me to climb Cathedral Peak. That was adding multi-pitch climbing. I had alot to learn. I took as many of the SMC classes as I could make. That allowed me to meet more of the club leaders, and alot more club members. I went to Lovers Leap with my new partner, and we climbed together and practiced. She recruited another SMC member and her regular climbing partner. When that partner got hurt (out on his own, I think, not with us or the club), I recruited a good buddy I'd met elsewhere to our team.

In August, the four of us summited Cathedral. We continue to climb together, and have become great friends. They're an incredible bunch. Most of our outings are private - good friends getting together at the crag. We also attend SMC club events. Last month two of us were back in Tuolumne Meadows for an official SMC event. I'm signed up for more, and have even created an unofficial "member-organized" Joshua Tree event.

So my suggestion is to join a climbing club or other organized group of climbers with similar interests. Obviously, I've found SMC to be awesome. Alot of their passion is for alpine climbing, whereas mine is just for rockclimbing. But if not SMC, there are other organizations. A couple of others were mentioned previously. Meetup is also a great resource - I've discovered another great bunch of climbers here in SoCal.

Hi George! Sorry I couldn't make the Tuolumne gig. I can vouch for everything George says about SMC. I happened to meet Darren and a group practicing alpine skills on Donner summit last winter. You couldn't hope to find a better group of smart, motivated people. I just wish I could make more of the trips and classes.