jfer45

genepries, Banff does sound like a great place. At that time though would it mainly be in shape for steep ice / waterfall climbing or would there be some less aggressive steep snow/ice routes in couloirs and on rock that I could practice on? Is there a guidebook you would recommend? Thanks for your help by the way. tvash, I'll probably save New Zealand for a later time. Wanted to go there last year for fishing/climbing, but it didn't work out. If I remember correctly a lot of the mountains 'required' helicopter transportation to access.

Come this October I'll have quite a bit of free time. I want to get into alpine climbing (I've mainly been a rock climber with only a bit of mountaineering) and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where I should go in the winter months to practice for alpine climbing. I would like to be somewhere in the NW and was thinking the North Cascades, but I'm guessing weather makes it tough to climb all the time. I was also thinking about CO or New Hampshire or Canada for learning how to climb ice. Any thoughts about this or just where I should start in general to begin progressing?

Reached the summit four days ago. The conditions were good, the snow was great in the morning. I did the DC route, and there is a boot path that is clearly marked from Muir. I would scout out the DC because I found it somewhat difficult to find the exact route down during the decent.

I am looking to climb Rainier sometime early next week, but I'd like to climb with someone rather than solo. Successful Summits: Mt. Hood - Solo South Sister - Team of 2 If you're interested just send me a PM or post here...