Info on mountaineering course or someone willing to teach.

I am really wanting to get going on conqueering some high peeks but need a good place to get started. Been climbing and leading for little over two years now including mulit-pitch and also have little bit of aiding expierience. I am also an Air Assault Instructor for the military where i have my rappel master cert. to teach rappeling to students. I'm not a total newbie but have no expierience in climbing on ice, snow, or glacier travel. Any help would be greatly appreciated and also a good pick for shoes would help. Was looking at the La Sportive Nepal Evo boots. Looking for a boot the would be all around good for ice, snow, rock, etc. Dont have a ton of money to drop on multiple boots and could use one that is good all around and multi-season if possible.

Applicable quote from a friend:
"Remember: when you stand on a summit you are that mountain's guest, not that mountain's conqueror."

Progression to start taking a peek at some peaks
Step 1: Read this cover to cover: http://www.amazon.com/Mountaineering-Freedom-Hills-Mountaineers-Books/dp/B004ADXWM6

Step 2: Get out of Georgia!

This is as "mountaineering" as Georgia gets... beginning a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail winter 2012

Step 3: Professional instruction
Check out this site for an idea of where to go/ what to focus on:
http://www.aai.cc/Programs/Group/Mountaineering-Instruction/

Alternatives to steps 2 and 3:
Head to the nearest local ski resort and practice self arresting, french technique, rope management, snow protection (deadmen and pickets), etc. (Do this AFTER reading about what all this means in your new copy of Freedom of the HIlls. Also after the resort is closed for the day so you don;t get in anyone's way.) THEN proceed with step 2

Well i am just about done reading freedom of the hills which you are right, has been a great book. I know i need to get out of georgia, current circumstances and work keeping here though. Luckily my wife is a flight attendant and i can fly just about anywhere for free. And i tried to go to the link that you posted but it brought me to a blank page. Want to check it out though and thanks.

Hmm, the link is broken for me too... not sure if the site is just down or what.

The page should have provided you info about the American Alpine Institute. Try to check them out in the future once this site is back on line.

Until then, look into "Rainier Mountaineering Institute" based in the cascades. It'd be easy for you to fly into Seattle and do a weekend on a glacier there

Yo Ross,

Damn, man, if you get free air travel...then come out to Colorado and do a few days with a guide...Markus Beck at Alpine World Ascents (markus@alpineworldascents.com) or Joey Thompson at Colorado Mountain School (totalclimbing.com) are both really good guys and super knowledgeable.

Drop me a line if you need more info....

Rob

Thanks dylan and i will definately look into both of those options.

Thanks coppolillo for the contact info for two guides man, should i decide to head out to colorado i will definately hit one of those guys up.

Thanks guys

hopefully this should work. The American Alpine Institute aai.cc/Programs/Group/Mount… If that does not link through, try alpineinstitute.com If you are interested in glacier mountaineering, definitely look up a guide service in the NW (no glaciers in CO - though CMS is awesome). I may be biased since I sometimes teach the course, but AAI's Alpine Mountaineering and Technical Leadership is quite worthwhile. My rec for an average to big snow year - take it between july 10th and end of august.
thanks dylan for the recommendation.

I might also be biased, since I also run these courses for the Institute, but we do a really good job.
These courses are designed for people that want to get a jump start on their personal climbing and they are a big part of our summer programming. We also reguraly work with military.

Colorado is amazing if you want to climb rock or ice, but if you want to learn about Glaciers, actually getting out on one is pretty key.

I'd also recommend:
Alpine Climbing - Techniques to Take You Higher by Cosley & Houston

Freedom of the hills is fine, but this is the book that I reference.

If you want to stay closer to home, check out Fox Mountain Guides. Their based in Brevard, NC.

Nothing is wrong with being biased towards your institute. Taking pride in the fact that you can confidently teach and your institute can confidently teach needed skills essential in a sound school. I am an Air Assault Instrutor for the military and i feel confident knowing that I and my co-instructors have taught the students what they need to know properly execute an Air Assault mission and conduct rappels from an air craft (helicopter) or whatever they need to rappel from. So i know where you guys are coming from and thanks for all the recommendations. Hope its alright if in the future when i make my plans that contact you guys if needed.

good call on Fox Mtn Guides...definitely dialed. Adam Fox is a good dude and a very good teacher...

Id reccommend mark twights book on how to be a complete badass.

amazon.com/Extreme-Alpinism…

superkick wrote:Id reccommend mark twights book on how to be a complete badass. amazon.com/Extreme-Alpinism…

+1 i was just about to post the same link. Probably overkill for anything you'll take on in the lower 48, but the concepts apply.

Fav quote from the book: power is not a bad thing to have in excess

Ross- Sounds like the School for International Expedition Training might be right up your alley. I'm the director of the school and I'd be happy to chat with you more about whether or not this unique course is right for you. SIET specializes in advanced mountaineering courses at high altitude in South America. Check out the slide show on the SIET website:

expeditiontraining.org

And for boots, the Nepals are great until it drops below 10 degrees F. The La Sportiva Baturas or Baruntses are much warmer, especially if you are going to be getting into altitude, winter or multi day trips.

Cheers,
Josh

Superkick, just ordered the book without hesitation. Can never read enough when it comes climbing.

Josh and Ben- PM sent

And thanks to everone for all the help, You have all given me many options to choose from and research and it has been a great help. So thank you and hope to be climbing to high peaks soon.

Ross Mac wrote:Superkick, just ordered the book without hesitation. Can never read enough when it comes climbing. Josh and Ben- PM sent And thanks to everone for all the help, You have all given me many options to choose from and research and it has been a great help. So thank you and hope to be climbing to high peaks soon.

Ross,
If you plan on comming to Alaska, I would love to get out and do some climbing with you. I was hoping to get on a couple expeditions in the park this year, but so far, everything has fallen through. I'm trying to get everything together to take an IWLS course for mountaineering for the certification, and I will be obtaining a WFR cert very soon. I do have a bit of glacier experience, and guide people regularly (unprofessionally, meaning people don't pay me). If you feel comfortable climbing and learning with a guy like me, send me a PM and we may be able to work something out. I hope the best for you.