Future climbs...

[Chad_A]

So, with all the climbing that I've done in the last two years here, after the grand move from flatland Michigan, my girlfriend has noticed that the tempo just seems to keep ramping up, and that there's no end in sight.

 

"So, what big goal do you have in climbing, for this year, next year, or even ten years from now?" Mind you, she's supportive in asking this; she's always glad to have me home, but notices it when I'm climbing regularly. I'm "more like myself".

 

It took me a second to answer her, but I guessed, off the top of my head, it would have to be something small, but difficult, in the Alaska Range, Waddington Range, or something fairly difficult in Peru. Here's where I'm looking for input; advantages, disadvantages, steps in skill to overcome, first, that are hard to experience in the PNW. I've heard people say in the past "It ain't the Cascades, Jack", so that's why I'm asking.

 

I understand that climbing Hunter, even though is at near the same elevation as Rainier, must be much more difficult, almost by any route. The Waddington Range sounds great; I picked up Serl's book on the range, and there looks like some truly inspiring things to climb up there, but I'm guessing that it may be just as expensive to get in there, as the Alaska Range. I was wondering what the "intangibles" that the Waddington Range have, and how they stack up to the Alaska Range.

 

Peru, on the other hand, sounds awesome. I've heard secondhand about the sheer faces, and the rotten snow that seems to almost impossibly cling to them, from close sources. Only, I don't speak anywhere near the language to feel comfortable with getting there, unless it's easier than it seems. I'm guessing flights there aren't that expensive, though.

 

If anyone has been to any or all of the ranges above, feel free to share experiences, and what you would suggest to someone in a position like mine, and transitional climbs that might help ease someone, with greater goals in mind, into the bigger ranges.

 

Please don't spray on this post. Other than that, speak up. If people need a list of climbs I've done to gauge a response, I can reply to that, but out of not "chest beating", I'd rather not unless asked. Most of the regulars around these parts probably have seen some of the TRs I've been involved with, anyway.

 

"Tawk amongst yoselves"