Jeremy1979

Looks like Sunday will be mostly sunny and little wind. Not much new snow coming in either. Could be a good day to burn some of those turkey calories. Pm if interested.

PM sent, also recently moved to Portland and looking to build a community.

PM Sent

Hi Dmitriy, While the Mazamas have a great training program, it's based in Portland (from what I understand), and pretty time intensive, so probably not convenient for you. There are multiple ways to start climbing: - Find someone experienced willing to teach you the ropes (aka a "mentor"), around your area. Pro's: cheap, potentially super rewarding. Con's: not easy to find someone. - Take lessons from guide service, there is a wide variety in the Portland and Seattle areas, so I'm sure the same is true in Vancouver. Pro's: when you want, where you want, excellent technically. Con's: expensive. - Find a climbing community group in your area (a la Mazamas) that can bridge the gap between the 2 options above. Depends on what's available in Vancouver. To you specific questions, my 2 cents: 1- I would agree Mt Hood is a good starting ground,but just like many other summits in the region. 2- I would really advise against going up Hood as beginners, for the 1st time, without guidance. If you were experienced, sure, but it's still a technical climb, with avalanche hazard, steep sections and although it's on the easy side compared to other summits, people die every once in a while. 3- Check out the equipment list from the various guide services, those are good starting points (eg: http://timberlinemtguides.com/equip-lists/oregon-california-cascades-equipment-list/) 4- See above. Good luck! I'm a beginner myself and looking to get some experience in the area as well.

Thanks for the report and pictures. I had plans to go May 3 with a more experienced buddy, but given the avalanche risk we decided not to. How were the conditions? Was avalanche risk something you considered? Thanks!

Ha, done and done: I have the cordelette for practicing knots, and plowed through the Freedom of the Hills. I am now officially a guide's worse nightmare: the guy that's read a few books and thinks he knows something. I am training for mountain climbing though, so maybe that'll offset my ignorance. Thanks again

Appreciate the tips, I did not know about IMG and RMI, so thanks much.

Hello, Recently moved in the PNW (Portland) and looking to start alpine climbing. I want to sign up for day courses here and there to get started (eg the Timberline Guides day courses, $180/person/day), to cope with work and family schedule, and would love to get a small group started so we can learn together. Let me know if interested and we can work out the details.