Colorado Mountaineering

Hello everyone!

I am just getting into mountaineering and trying to make some friends or even a meet a mentor. 

Background: moved to Denver metro from NC 5 years ago. I immediately fell in love with climbing, hiking, backpacking, mountaineering.

The start of summer 2022 I had a goal to immerse myself in the mountains every weekend. I did eleven 14ers from late June to October. That winter I also started backpacking in as harsh conditions as possible. I have backpacked in -5F and hiked in -10F way more including windchill.

Start of summer 2023 I did the same thing. Another ten 14ers and this time started scrambling in class 3 and 4 terrain on various 12ers and 13ers. I again made sure to camp in harsh conditions to get a feel for reel mountaineering.

I also do semi tough hikes in the winter, so I am very comfortable traversing in knee to waist deep snow.

I am on the same trajectory for this year. In addition to my normal countless hours of zone 2 cardio and some weight training, I have been apart of a climbing gym for a few months now and have been training on top rope.

This year I made it a goal to actually dabble into mountaineering. We have maybe a little over/under a month until it’s allowable and I have bought La Sportiva mountaineering boots, Petzl Crampons, ice axes, mountaineering harness, etc.

I eventually would like to get into more extreme and extensive mountaineering/climbing and go out of the country or even the state, but I want to solidify my experience here in CO first.

I have joined the Colorado mountain club, but that hasn’t been too helpful as those classes book in minutes and I have heard some bad things about the club (someone correct me if I am wrong).

I was hoping to maybe have a mentor or even just a mountaineering buddy to show me the basics. I am also interested in joining the Alpine rescue team which a new class opens Dec of this year so want to be prepared for training in that.

I am open to any suggestions, good first climbs or couloirs, etc etc. if no one is interested in partnering up

I would like to add, I am very motivated and ambitious when it comes to my mountaineering goals. I train hard, I try to be as careful as possible, and I try to read the terrain as much as possible. I like to mitigate risks and not be overly ambitious or even get summit fever. 

I know most will probably recommend taking classes, but those are immensely expensive and the ones in Colorado are only a few days. I find it easier to get an understanding of basic principles and then solidify with a class. 

I also probably sound young and naive, but we all have to start somewhere and I feel I am ready to take it up a notch. 

Thank you!

I’d consider learning to ice climb and ski tour, depending on the kind of mountaineering you want to do both can open a lot of objectives! Both take quite a bit of time and money though

Go take an into to mountaineering class with pikes peak alpine school with a group of other people to teach you snow movement etc and then boot up little Italy or some other couloir. Usually you can meet people in these classes who make decent partners. Rinse and repeat with ice climbing classes offered by the same school, same with rock etc. Just getting out and doing these things will put you in contact with loads of other people who want to get out regularly. 

CO 14ers are fine and all but you'll be better served in your mountaineering career getting on a glacier in the PNW such as Mt Baker etc. 

CMC was good for me back when I was getting started (10+ years ago). Basic Mountaineering School (BMS) is great if you have no (or very little) technical climbing experience and literally need to "learn the ropes" (knots, belaying, rock and snow protection). Otherwise, just keep on doing what you are doing and find mentors and climbing partners that have the experience you are looking for.