My first mountaineering trip had all the elements of Lawrence crossing Arabia without water or camel. I was 17 and had my heart set on making a June trip up Oregon's Mount Jefferson. I had little mountain climbing experience, but thought to myself, "it can't be much more than a big hike." Armed with a rucksack and running shoes, I headed out on my great adventure. At about 8,000 feet, I ran into snow. A lot of snow. My shoes quickly soaked through, but I forged ahead. Then I hit the first ice field—big, slick, and steep.
Even with my negligible experience, I knew my mountain climbing dreams were sunk. I knew without a doubt that if I stepped onto the ice field, I'd slide like Jackie Robinson into home plate. An extremely unappealing option, considering the wicked-looking boulders at the base of the field, 1,000 feet below. Had I been equipped with a sturdy ice axe, some lightweight crampons, and a noggin protecting helmet, I might have obtained that summit, but without the proper equipment, I was about as safe as a skydiver without a parachute.
Mountaineering can be fun, and relatively safe. Much depends on your level of expertise, partner, and choice of route. There are some potential objective hazards over which you have no control, such as weather, falling rock, and unseasonably late snow. What can stack the cards in your favor, however, is arming yourself with the right gear. It's true, mountain climbing has become easier in the past decade, with sport-specific technology producing lighter, more efficient equipment. Lightweight helmets, mountaineering axes, and harnesses shave pounds off the weight of traditional gear, making it easier to feel like a climber rather than a pack mule.
Also, because of increased consumer demand, and manufacturer competition, prices are lower than ever. Sure, you can venture out with a pair of treadless Adidas and a canvas pack from your
Boy Scout days, but if you decide to make a few upgrades, the following list will let you know your options.
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