Speaking of REI. I was working there about 5 years ago. This guy in a black leather jacket showed up. He stated he wanted to climb Mt. Hood. I started talking with the guy to find out he just moved to Ptown from somewhere in the Midwest. His first real views of any real mountains were the cascades and Mt Hood, he stated he just wanted to know about it and rent crampons and Ice axe. I tried to tell him to get into a guided service or something. Gave him the Mazama pamphlet and all. He stated “it will be easy; don’t I just follow the line of other climbers”? I still tried to talk him out of going by himself, due to he had only seen snow a few times. This guy looked like he just got off his hog and got done drinking beer. Either way, I could not stop him. He rented crampons and axe. 3 days later he strolled up to me and returned the equipment and said it was easy and he got to the summit by following the crowd. I never got the impression he was lying.
Crazy thing people do. Sometimes courage is all you need……and an REI membership. Ha, ha.