Does anyone have a recommendation for a mountaineering course/outfitter in the states or Canada? I'm looking for one where you take a course, use it on a mountain, and whatnot. I'm talking about ice climbing, put on the crampons and hike through icefields or glaciers and break out the ice axe, learn rope setup, and things like that.

Thanks!

A few Google searches and you can turn up quite a few results. Below is a link to the Colorado Mountain School's site. I was quite tempted to sign up for a program for my next vacation, however if I'm going to stick to a RTW departure late next year, I have to stay focused!

Definetly looks like fun though.

Total Climbing

Rainier Mountaineering is probably the best known one. My company supplies them (and all the other big ones) with gear. I can steer you towards the right one. You want to make sure that, whoever you choose, they are AMGA certified.

I did google and came up with way too many results, that's why I wanted recs.

Thanks for the links, guys. I am a fan of Mountain Hardwear equipment!

i second joe's RMI rec. i've spoken with them a couple times before and that's who i'm planning on going with whenever i'm ready, their expedition skills seminar from muir.

Really can't go wrong with RMI. Plus it puts you in Washington which will give you good terrain and reasonable weather in which to learn with. California and Colorado just overall lack the terrain on a consistent basis. And Alaska, Canada, and New Hampshire are just to bloody cold for easy learning.

Mt. Rainier park is CLOSED right now because of massive flooding and road damage. Dunno how long until it's fully open again.

Don't forget Shasta Guides and NOLS.

Why not go through the Mountaineers? It's cheap and intensive. Or just find a friend who is experienced.

Unfortunately, I live in Texas and know no one with actual mountaineering/alpine experience, so no friends with experience! I've got rock climbing experience under my belt already - sport and lead. It's the high altitude and alpine education/experience that I lack.

Really, the goal..well, my boyfriend wants to do Aconcagua. I can't do it for physical reasons (i.e. I'd get blown off the mountain). But I do want to do a pre-Aconcagua trip with him, to get some experience and training as well. I'm all for..er..anything below 19,000 feet...

Thanks for the suggestions!

marisa you two should come to seattle!!

(sean's still on the aconcagua thing??)

quote:

Originally posted by halfnine:
California and Colorado just overall lack the terrain on a consistent basis.

huh?

NOLS and RMI are always the ones im hearing about, though that doesnt mean a whole lot. I hear RMI basically shows you how to follow them to the top, and not so much education on how to get there yourself. I have never taken the course though, so thats hearsay. Some other ones ive heard good things about are Alpine Ascents Mountaineering School (http://www.alpineascents.com/school.asp), American Alpine Institute (http://www.mtnguide.com/), and Yamnuska (http://www.yamnuska.com/).

my .02, if i were to go with one, id do the Yamnuska, NOLS, or the Alpine Ascents. I like that Alpine Ascents does so many different locations of training.

Ive also heard that EMS offers a training course? obviously not definitive, but yet another thing to look into, eh?

have fun!

xoom, he's not 100%, but keeps on talking about it for maybe 2008...well I haven't been to seattle yet...so it is an idea!

I've heard a lot of good things about Alpine Ascents, and keep looking at them over and over...