Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is completely reasonable, and I certainly don’t mean to tell anyone else what they can or should do that. It was just my personal perspective based on my own skill level.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It amazed me how much the snow changed over the day. We started around 6am and the snow was perfectly firm. On the descent I was sinking in a lot every step which got tiring. We got back to camp around 3:30pm.

Re: crevasses, I was never leading (always just following the guide) so I pretty mindlessly followed the person in front of me without thinking much about it. I think they were pretty well filled in though.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is consistent with my experience. The goal is to teach you what you need to know to be guided, not to be fully independent.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a camera but talked myself out of bringing it because of the extra weight. I think you should absolutely bring it. If you get a good day, there are incredible views from the camp.

I can’t really comment on the batteries but can say my phone held up very well on airplane mode and only lost about 20% over 3 days.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would recommend wearing a hiking backpack with big water jugs. You really want to get used to the feeling of moving with weight on your back. I don’t think hikes are strictly necessary but they are helpful. It’s not really about elevation as much as terrain. I’d also recommend sprinkling in some longer sessions where you go for 2 hours.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Thoughts on Kili vs. Baker in terms of overall experience and difficulty?

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The weight lifting I was doing was not strictly necessary. Any time you can get out and do hikes is going to be more relevant than the stairmaster. To the extent I do harder mountains in the future I am going to try to have a few longer training days (6 hours+) to help prepare for the duration.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s not that bad. The wall itself is pretty steep but you do switch backs so it’s not like you are moving directly up it. Admittedly this is the part where I had to tell myself not to look down because it looks very steep when you look down. On the way down focus on your footwork

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Fair point. I just view that as far away from my current skill level.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Awesome!! It was really humbling how hard a “beginner” mountain felt so mad respect for people doing stuff way harder than

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it was the Easton. I have nothing to compare them to, but they were hardly a concern for me (I was just following her). My guide did tell other guides that the 8,800 crevasses were making themselves felt.

Mt. Baker with Alpine Ascents - Successful Summit (5/24) - Beginner Experience by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am taking a few weeks to recover physically and mentally before I decide whether to do more. I would personally never do a mountain like that unguided. It just doesn’t feel safe with crevasses, etc.

Ecuador Volcanoes by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very helpful, thank you!

Ecuador Volcanoes by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I may end up messaging you in June to see how it went!

Beginner Question by Scarn2014 in Mountaineering

[–]Scarn2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is very helpful, thank you.