Get Ready for Climbing Trips

Glacial trek

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Commercial outfits generally offer open trips (that is, available to anyone with the appropriate qualifications), with fixed departure dates and a set itinerary. Companies often rate the difficulty of these trips, so you can see which is right for you. Fortunately for beginners, many fine mountains around the world are accessible to people with limited climbing experience but possessed with desire and reasonable fitness.

Often using local helpers, full-board trips provide all services for a flat rate. Depending on the climb, group size may vary from approximately four to ten participants. Outfitters will help with preliminary details like travel arrangements, gathering equipment, and any necessary paperwork. Their staff will greet you upon arrival at your destination, then escort you through the whole trip. Premium outfits will offer even more personalized service, generally based on a larger, more experienced staff.

An alternative is to find an outfitter that offers personal guide service; this is the best way to organize a custom trip. You can choose the dates, the itinerary, and team members. This is a particularly good alternative for family groups or teams of friends. The trip can be tuned more precisely to the aspirations and skill level of the group, and you will not be teamed up with total strangers, as can be the case with a regular commercial expedition.

Key Factors

Time: When choosing a trip, another important consideration is the amount of time it will take. While classics like Mount Rainier or the Grand Tetons can be accomplished in a weekend, quite a few attractive mountains require a two- to three-week journey. These would include the trekking peaks of Nepal, Ecuador's volcanoes, and the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. Count on at least six weeks or more if you aspire to climb an 8,000-meter peak. Fortunately, it is always the best season to climb somewhere in the world, and there are mountains to fit anyone's time constraints.

Comfort: Another consideration is comfort. While climbing a mountain is not exactly like going to Club Med, some trips offer considerably more amenities than others. If staying in fancy accommodations to attempt modest-size peaks is your cup of tea, you can't beat the ease and accessibility of the European Alps. Expect to pay dearly, however. On a more modest budget, the Andean countries have scores of fine peaks, whose summits are rarely more than a few days from town.

Guides: Having an experienced, knowledgeable guide, backed by a well-managed company, is the foundation of a successful adventure. Look for an established, authorized company that employs skilled guides (certification is a good indication) and has a proven track record on the peak. A low client-to-guide ratio is another good indication of a quality outfit.