Any mountainclimbers on ATOT?

[JMapleton]

Ok, I live in one of the flattest states in the country but I've been watching a lot of documentaries on mountain climbing and it's really got me interested in it.

Has anyone ever climbed a mountain? I mean a real mountain, the real experience. Not just walking up a big hill.

If so, which mountain did you climb? What dangers did you face?

 

[IronWing]

Ned is one resident climber. There was another. Search ATOT on Whitney.

 

[Sinsear]

There was one that i know of; he's banned

He posts close by

 

[shortylickens]

There was one that i know of; he's banned

He posts close by

:ninja:

 

[velillen]

Ive done quite a bit of mountain climbing. Well ot be honest more ski mountaineering than mountain climbing cause i would rather ski down then walk down.

Ive done plenty of smaller peaks around WA in the Olympics and Mount Rainier (well by small as in not mt. rainier or mt. baker). Plus done Mt. Baker.

Honestly the biggest danger for probably 75% of climbers are crevasses. Followed by falls. Falling down a icy slope can have you sliding thousands of feet. Weather is the third biggest danger for those 75% of people IMO. If you dont plan it out it can be devastating. But planning and an understanding of weather patterns can really help with that. The first two can be solved by using harnesses, crampons, ropes, and ice axes. If one person falls into a crevasse or just falls, the aim is the other climbers and arrest and stop the fall. Weather is just being smart.

For those who ski down (and also those who climb early season and late season or in winter) there are other factors. Avalanches come into play, wet slides, and the conditions. if its super icy then skiing down can be incredibly hard and dangerous. Plus things like rollovers (big avy spot), narrow entrances and exits, ect are more things to consider. When its mid summer stopping on a rollover isnt that big of a deal but in early spring its a good spot for an avy to occur.

The third are those who do a lot more technical climbs. Rappels, needing anchors, climbing ice falls, ect add more to a climb and require knowledge and skill.


Honestly though pretty much any of the major mountains (ie shasta, baker, whitney, rainier, hood) are just hard walks up a big hill. Only in the sense that the danger is pretty low when you stay on the main routes. (going a less common route is harder for sure) There are usually boot packs already in place to follow, crevasses are often marked, and you often have people around to help if SHTF. Obviously theres a bit more to it as you need a basic understanding of crampons and ice axes on some routes but you dont need to be an expert or anything.


As a guy ive climbed with before said "its only as dangerous as you allow it to be"

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've walked up some really big hills.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I went to the top of Space Mountain several times, it didn't seem too hard.

 

[dustb0wlkid]

What qualifies as a "real mountain"? There are many 14,000 peaks that only require scrambling and some light climbing with no fixed ropes. You can also basically walk up Kilimanjaro, which is one of the Seven Summits. Most, if not all, climbers consider those to be "real mountains."

 

[NuclearNed]

I've climbed a little, here are the ones I've done

Mt Rainier (twice)
Mt Adams
Mt St Helens
Mt Whitney (twice)

I started out on Mt Hood but quickly turned back after a hundred yards or so; wasn't feeling it that day

Right now the plan is to climb The Grand next summer, but I'm not sure that trip is going to come together. If it doesn't, I think I'll try to climb 2 14ers in the Sierras instead

 

[dainthomas]

I've climbed a little, here are the ones I've done

Mt Rainier (twice)
Mt Adams
Mt St Helens
Mt Whitney (twice)

I started out on Mt Hood but quickly turned back after a hundred yards or so; wasn't feeling it that day

Right now the plan is to climb The Grand next summer, but I'm not sure that trip is going to come together. If it doesn't, I think I'll try to climb 2 14ers in the Sierras instead

Good for you. So many people get stuck up there every year, climbing when they shouldn't be.

I always wanted to try St Helens.

 

[NuclearNed]

Good for you. So many people get stuck up there every year, climbing when they shouldn't be.

I always wanted to try St Helens.

Safety first, always

St Helens is the shortest mt on my list, but was one of the most difficult for a variety of strange reasons. Its normally not a real hard climb, but the universe seemed to be aligned against my team that day

 

[highland145]

Safety first, always

St Helens is the shortest mt on my list, but was one of the most difficult for a variety of strange reasons. Its normally not a real hard climb, but the universe seemed to be aligned against my team that day

Hey, Ned, wondered where you've been lately. You know I was just ribbing you about that kid getting fired.

 

[Fritzo]

 

[NuclearNed]

Hey, Ned, wondered where you've been lately. You know I was just ribbing you about that kid getting fired.

My life has reached a new level of busy that I would have never imagined even existed. Right now I'm at a conference in las vegas, so I have a few free moments between sessions to post here.

 

[Puppies04]

Wait for it.

Edit. NM apparently he can't tell mom jokes anymore.

 

[ringtail]

``

 

[grohl]

Mountains in WA:

Baker
Shuxan
Eldorado
Klawatti
Sahale

Colorado:
Chiefshead
Alice
Crestone
Crestone Needle
East Crestone
Humbolt
Eolus
Windham
Sunlight
North Eolus

California:

Whitney (my first class 5 - East Buttress 5.7)

 

[mizzou]

tried twice to get to the top of wheeler peak with a over-the-hill hiking partner. ALMOST got there but it fucking rained like crazy both nights so we just backed out.

Tried to go ultra lite, but ended up feeling sick as shit because we didn't have good food to eat and I couldn't sleep.

If you want my advice, you need to figure out if you are affected by high-altitude-sickness.

You don't want to hike in a day past 10,000 or 12,000 ft and then realize you feel like shit and can't stop throwing up.

To make it an ENJOYABLE experience, pick something that is attainable within your own physical limits and financial (gear) limits.

 

[mizzou]

What dangers did you face?

Oh this is good.

#1 a herd of upland grazing cattle. They suspected me of attacking their calves and had several bulls stare me down. I backed down in submittion.

#2 a Ram during rutting season thought I was competition, thankfully he didn't chase me.

#3 some black bears, but they ran off without a issue

#4 almost stepping on or being bitten by snakes

#5 LIGHTNING

 

[JMapleton]

tried twice to get to the top of wheeler peak with a over-the-hill hiking partner. ALMOST got there but it fucking rained like crazy both nights so we just backed out.

Climbing a 13k mountain is a two day journey?!?

 

[jagec]

Climbing a 13k mountain is a two day journey?!?

It can be, depending on where you start out, but I assumed that he meant that they tried to wait out the rain twice before giving up and driving back home.

I haven't done anything *super* technical, but certainly the crampons+ice axe+rope bit a couple of times. Assuming that you're not trying to map a new route, your (lack of) acclimatization and physical fitness is much more likely to cost you the summit than any accident or injuries on the way up.

Actually, you're more likely to get hurt on the way down even if you ARE fit, so...

 

[KlokWyze]

<----- not a climber

good thread though...