SpeedyXC

Thanks for the replies everyone. I found an affordable course that I'll most likely be taking this spring and would love to hook up for some climbing this spring and summer. I'll let you know.

Here's the deal...for the past several years, I've been wanting to get into mountaineering. I've done several scrambles and off trail routes (Cascadian Route on Mt. Stuart, W Ridge of N Twin, Mt. Larrabee, Ruth Mountain, Bailey Range Traverse...nothing too difficult) but I've had trouble getting glacier travel and crevasse rescue experience. I've been going to college and haven't had the money to pay for a class, but now that I'm done with school, I can probably afford it. So, looking ahead to this spring/summer, I am looking for either: A) An affordable intro to glacier travel course (the ones at AAI are super expensive but if I need to I could probably afford one) -or- B) Someone who wouldn't mind taking me with them on an easy climb or two this summer. I have read FOTH multiple times, but haven't had the chance to practice much of it. I am in excellent shape...I trail run up to 100 miles a week in hills, so If you're looking for someone to tackle long, physically difficult routes that aren't too technically challenging I'd love to come along. I've also just started climbing at the Y in Bellingham and am hoping to do that a couple nights a week over the winter to get ready for summer. I have my own ax, crampons, harness, helmet, prusiks, and basic backpacking gear, but no shared gear. I can offer a ride as well. Let me know if you know of any affordable mountaineering classes or shoot me a PM if you'd like to possibly climb or scramble anything this spring or summer.

Just wondering if anyone had been up to Spider Gap or High Pass recently and could let me know what the conditions are like up there. I am leaving for a week long hike on Thursday and am trying to decide whether or not to bring crampons. I will bring an ax for sure. I will be crossing over Spider Gap and dropping into Lyman Lakes and then traversing from Buck Creek Pass over High Pass and down into the Napeequa Valley. Any info helps, even if you haven't been there recently but have been in the past. I have never hiked either of these routes before. From what I've read, it sounds like crampons are not necessary, but I'd hate to be unprepared. Thanks.

So, here's the deal. I've lived in Bellingham my entire life and I've always wanted to climb Baker. I've had plans to climb it for the past 3 summers, but every time the group I am going with decides not to at the last minute. It is driving me crazy. I'm 22 and I've been hiking all over Washington since I was 6. I have planned and led several off trail traverses, but have never done any roped glacier travel. The biggest peak I've climbed was Mt. Stuart (via the Cascadian Couloir) which was a fun climb, but it was rather easy and not at all technical. I'd like to start climbing some bigger peaks, but I don't have the money to pay for a Mountaineering course as I am a poor college student. I am in excellent shape. I run 80-100 miles a week in hills and lift weights/do core strength exercises regularly. I also own and have read the "Freedom of the Hills" book on Mountaineering. I just need someone who would be willing show me the basics. Other than a few dates, I can get time off of work almost anytime this summer, so I can try and work around your schedule. If you're looking for a fit climbing partner and don't mind teaching me the basics, I'd love to climb with you.