i am strongly thinking about getting into mountain climbing, and want to see if anyone has some advice about the best way to introduce myself to it. i've done some indoor rock wall stuff, but thats about it.

obviously, heading down to the local climbing shops and talking with people there is good, but just want to see if anyone here does it.

any personal experience welcome....

I'm interested in this as well and i've been thinking about it for a couple of months so i'd appreciate some insight also. Though i suppose i'd have to start with an indoor wall first since my experience climbing on cars probably doesn't count :drink: :Blazed:

i climbed pike's peak in colorado... highest peak there and fucking A the air was thin, but thats all i have done besides hiking low-gradient mountains. i've stuck to mountain biking, much less climbing.

a really good book which really got me knowledgeable about mountain climbing is "into thin air" by john krakauer. the book is extremely informative and even though you probably won't ever climb Everest, it provides tons of history on that mountain. The book really got me pumped up to start climbing and i was shocked that he really explains the climbing process and equipment well as to cater to beginners or just outside readers.

I'm a recreational hiker/boulderer but I have never climbd. I have alot of friends that do it & I'd say going to a mom & pop climbing shop you trust & asking them the questions you've asked here would be the best route...

I think its very expensive with gear to get started from what I've heard.

^ super expensive. hence mountain biking for me :)

Re: anyone rock/mountain climb?

A buddy of mine climbs and it can get expensive. Easily $1,000 + for the gear. Best bet is to go to a reputable shop and get some lessons. Eastern Mountain Sports etc. Forget "Into Thin Air" as an inspiration. Great book but that is mountaineering which is way, way different and more dangerous.

Have fun

:D

I would absolutely love to do this, but unfortunately there's nothing that even resembles a mountain here in Florida. Good luck with it DFN.

i'll give you some advice...do some serious stair master and cardio before you go. i just got back from arizona and climbed squaw peak and camelback. i'm sure they're probably beginner peaks, if that at all, but i was a mess and i'm in pretty decent shape. i weightlift and run but my legs were burning and my heart was racing. i made it to the top of both but i realized how out of shape i was when people were running up the f'n peaks past me. a few old ladies too. very embarrassing, but it was cool.

hehe, i am in pretty good shape.

i used to ski competitively, so i am used to spending a HUGE amount of money to do what i love. and it kept me in top physical condition; the highest i've ever skied was nearly 3400 meters, which is a very high altitude to be exerting yourself to that extent. i've hiked entire mountains just to ski them, so i really want to challenge myself when i do get into the climbing aspect of things.

i honestly would love to see if i could do something like a 7000 meter peak in the himalayas, oxygen and all. mountaneering might be dangerous, but i love that kind of stuff...