We know that trying something new can be intimidating. But we also know that the fear of the unknown is almost always more daunting than the activity itself. And if there's one thing this community does best, it's helping one another face fear head-on!
To help everyone feel more confident about saying yes to mountaineering, we asked our GALs and our mountaineering partner, Sunny Stroeer from AWExpeditions, to share their advice. Have a read, and if you're still unsure reach out! We'll give you an honest take on which adventure might be the best fit for you.
SARAH C
Build mental resilience, patience, and the ability to be comfortable being uncomfortable alongside physical fitness.
You can train your body for endurance and strength, but it’s your mindset that will often determine how far you go. The ability to stay calm, focused, and make sound decisions, especially when you're cold, tired, or uncertain, is what gets you to the summit and back safely. Sometimes, no matter how well-prepared you are, the mountain has other plans. Be mentally and emotionally prepared to not summit. If the weather turns, conditions change, or your instinct says something isn’t right, listen. There is strength in turning back. Respecting the mountain and trusting your instincts keeps you safe.
MARY B
Work smarter, not harder.
The best mountaineers are lazy.
One thing I keep coming back to is efficiency. How can I make things smoother, faster, easier? All those tiny time savers really add up. Before summit day, I plan out snacks, stash essentials like sunscreen and layers where I can easily grab them, and fit my crampons the night before so I’m not fiddling with them in the dark. When I roll into a break, I sit on my pack and get right to eating, drinking, layering up, and reapplying sunscreen.
The best mountaineers are lazy. Find ways to reduce your output—rest step like a champ, sit whenever you can, carry less water and use a filter on the approach. Work smarter, not harder.
ISABEL K
You want to be in a team where everyone is comfortable speaking up, turning around if needed, and making group decisions that prioritize safety over ego.
The biggest piece of advice would be to TAKE A COURSE. Taking a class with a certified guide is a great, low pressure way to not only learn the basics, but to also see if you actually enjoy the sport! You want to be in a team where everyone is comfortable speaking up, turning around if needed, and making group decisions that prioritize safety over ego. Trust and communication with your team can be the difference between a successful summit and a dangerous day.
If Isabel's advice speaks to you, check out this Mount Baker Mountaineering School with AWE—there's even one for girls and young women!
SUNNY S
If you can carry a heavy pack and walk uphill, you've already got 70% of what you need to get into mountaineering covered.
Mountaineering can take you to amazing places. It can also feel pretty intimidating - steep terrain, ropes, ice axes, crampons... where do you even start? Here's the thing, though: when you break it down, mountaineering is really just backpacking on steroids. If you can carry a heavy pack and walk uphill, you've already got 70% of what you need to get into mountaineering covered. The other 30% are technical skills which, yes, are important to learn - but they're not rocket science, and super fun to get into. If mountaineering fascinates you, all you need to do is take the step to dive in and learn.
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