[Intro to Mountaineering classes? Practice areas?]

Nevermind...Joe at Oregon Peak Adventures hooked me up and we spent a great day training on Hood. If you're a newbie looking for a friendly option and small class size, I recommend them.

www.oregonpeakadventures.com

 

Thanks, Joe!

[Choosing a mountaineering helmet]

Thanks gentlemen. My friends and coworkers be damned, I'm getting something to protect this addled brain. Good point on the headlamp situation, I'll choose wisely.

[Choosing a mountaineering helmet]

Some would debate whether or not my brain is worth protecting, but I was hoping for advice nonetheless. If my plans are for mountaineering exclusively (no rock, hot weather), could I use a snowboarding/snowsports helmet like those from ProTec, etc.? Other than insulation and ventilation, what are the differences?

 

Thanks much!

Eric in Portland

[Intro to Mountaineering classes? Practice areas?]

I'd like to find a more affordable option for a few hours of basic instruction on mountaineering if they exist. Everything I've seen runs anywhere from 150 per person on up to 300 for a full day lesson. I was hoping to find like 3-4 hours of instruction with a medium or large group somewhere for 50-75 if possible. I have most of the gear and can rent what I lack. Also, could anyone recommend a good location to practice the skills once acquired? Something on Hood or within a 2-3 hour drive of Portland? As it is I'm thinking of heading to Cooper Spur to play on some of the lower elevation ice/snow I ran in to a couple of weeks back. Thanks guys, this is a great site for info and the posts are pretty sweet and useful.