The Mazamas once told me I had to climb a mountaine before I joined.. The old chicken and egg thing.. In Portland I can't give you any advice but If you ever come up to Seattle the Mountaineers( I know, ,, corny.. every one on thes site is sooo hip) have all kinds of things. from hiking to inermediate ice and rock and eveything in between.. I have gone to some of the most beautiful places one these trips.. You can also network and branch out on your own.