Larry Grubbs
 | | 11/10/2009 8:52 PM |
 Alert | For some time I've been kicking around trying to train and climb Mt Hood or even Mt Rainier. Just curious if anyone else has ever wanted to do anything like this? | |
Larry
2000 DII
ColumbiaOverland.com | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 11/10/2009 9:45 PM |
Alert | Lot's of people on here are both active mountaineers or have aspirations to do so.
I've wanted to climb Mt. Baker for a long time as they say it is a good first climb (non-technical). I started getting in shape for it 3 years ago but got hurt (plantar fasciitis). After a year of rest, I'm mostly better now, and just started getting in shape again 2 weeks ago. My takehome from that experience is that people in our age group need to stretch religiously and listen to our bodies.
I'm only at 3 miles a day up a steep hill w/ heavy boots now, but hope to steadily add backpack weight and distance througout the winter, while simultaneously losing the pounds. I'm training now for snowshoeing and hope to be in "mountaineering" shape eventually. Mountaineering shape for me, means losing a lot of body weight to lessen the load on my feet and joints.
You can hike up/down Mt. St. Helens in a long day, so that's the first one I hope to climb in the spring.
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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Larry Grubbs
| | 11/10/2009 10:00 PM |
Alert | Posted By Craig Miller on 11/10/2009 9:45 PM
Lot's of people on here are both active mountaineers or have aspirations to do so.
You can hike up/down Mt. St. Helens in a long day, so that's the first one I hope to climb in the spring.
I'd be game for this. I've heard it's fairly easy (well less difficult) as well. | |
Larry
2000 DII
ColumbiaOverland.com | |
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gabriel m. itaya
| | 11/10/2009 10:33 PM |
Alert | yeah, i mountaineer, and so does peter.
rainier is fun, and hood is on my list. like craig said, st. helens is a fun day hike, and it is really straight forward and non-technical.
if you are in portland, adams is a really good starter mountain. non-technical, and basically a long slog to the top.
when are you wanting to go? what i love about my rover is how it gets me out to the mountains i want to climb. | |
Land Rover: turning owners into mechanics for over 60 years | |
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Larry Grubbs
| | 11/10/2009 10:46 PM |
Alert | I really know nothing about climbing and have no experience with it. Done tons of hiking, usually want a challenge and don't get it because my wife wants something shorter and pretty... I've been looking for a winter hobby and a purpose to train for. In the past when I had an "event" to train for I trained, dieted, etc. I actually used to Mountain Bike race (10 years ago) and was ranked in the Clydesdale class.
All that being said, I'm motivated and willing to learn. Just need a teacher initially. Like you said, the rovers can get us close anytime of year. | |
Larry
2000 DII
ColumbiaOverland.com | |
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gabriel m. itaya
| | 11/10/2009 10:57 PM |
Alert | larry, i highly suggest if you are interested in getting started that you take a mountaineering course. i dont know if you have the mountaineers down in oregon, but i think the mazamas? club offers something like that.
that is definitely the place to start. dont hire a guiding service to go up a mountain. find people who will go with you and save your money. mountaineering starts with hiking. exercise by hiking and get in shape that way. i am leaving for basic training or i would say we should get out together sometime. | |
Land Rover: turning owners into mechanics for over 60 years | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 11/10/2009 11:55 PM |
Alert | I'm the same way Larry... an event especially with someone I know is just enough accountability to get me to make better choices. Let's climb Mt. St. Helens next spring/summer when the snow clears and avalanche danger is low.
Monitor Ridge is 4500' in 5 miles. 10 mile hike, but a heck of a lot of elevation gain. Should be a good, but not crazy challenge for us as a stepping stone to greater peaks. http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/mount-st-helens/climbing-routes.shtml
Craig | |
My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
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Graeme Wilson
| | 11/11/2009 11:11 AM |
Alert | Larry - I've been kicking around the idea of taking on Rainier using Alpine Ascents - let me know if you want some info. They have a good school that provides an introduction to climbing - crampons, glacier safety etc. and the last couple of days include a guided summit attempt. I've a good DVD on a fitness program designed for getting you to the summit I can lend you if you are interested. | | | |
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Dale Avery
| | 11/11/2009 11:13 AM |
Alert | Craig,
If you are interested in Baker, my friend Jan lives 5 miles west of it. He is an old time mountaineer and the one who is now working on the PCT with another old highschool buddy. He can give you lots of advice. I know he would be happy to help anyone with a list of equpment needed, etc.
for beginners remember that slogging uphill is hard on the lungs and muscles. But coming back down really hammers the joints. That is how I wore out my knees and hips. When on trails I learned to keep my knees slightly bent and sorta did a rolling walk downhill, instead of continually jolting my joints by locking the knees with every step. Of course, we usually were carrying 65+ lbs downhill and back to camp at the end of the day. Keeping the weight down to a minimum helps :-O | |
After 35+ years running on four wheels, I've gone to the dark side and am playing on two.
2002 BMW F650GS Dakar dualsport
2006 BMW R1150RT sport touring bike | |
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Graeme Wilson
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Craig Miller
Title Sponsor
| | 11/11/2009 3:49 PM |
Alert | Thanks Dale. I'll let you know if I get to that point and need some help. Right now, I'm going to work on getting in shape for snowshoeing in the short term, and Mt. St. Helens in the mid-term.
Craig
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My Overland Adventure Blog | |
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Larry Grubbs
| | 11/11/2009 10:58 PM |
Alert | Good stuff. I figured I wasn't the only guy on here that liked things other than just wheeling and camping.
That video would be cool. In the meantime I think I'll look into some mountaineering training around Portland, bet there's more than a handful of places that have it.
For now St Helens in the Spring is a great goal. We can go from there once we conquer that. | |
Larry
2000 DII
ColumbiaOverland.com | |
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gabriel m. itaya
| | 11/12/2009 2:29 AM |
Alert | Graeme,
if you are looking for a guide service on Rainier, you should really check out IMG. I know a guy who works for them and everybody I have talked to says they are the best. If you want more information, I know that REI Seattle hosts Rainier Prep classes every spring put on by the three guide services. Might be worth checking out. | |
Land Rover: turning owners into mechanics for over 60 years | |
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Larry Grubbs
| | 11/13/2009 10:51 PM |
Alert | | As Gabriel mentioned, http://www.mazamas.org/ seems to be an excellent resource. I'm going to look into their "Basic Climbing Education Class" that starts in January. | |
Larry
2000 DII
ColumbiaOverland.com | |
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