[hdrop]

Hi all-

I have been really impressed (and inspired!) reading everyone’s intros. Thought i would start an off-shoot thread to get some of your perspectives on how you 1) come up with / decide on your goals and 2) put them into practice. As someone who explores mountains recreationally (mostly climbing or skiing), I have always been a bit intimidated by the process of identifying and planning something that is more of a reach.

I have decent snow/rock skills and safety knowledge, but when it comes down to it, I think I get scared off from putting these to use. Any of you ever been/currently in a similar situation? Would love to hear what steps you’ve taken to move forward.

Thanks!

Topic

[Sheila Sturm]

Sheila Sturm on January 11, 2022 at 4:11 am #61911

Hi Hayley,
I use a very simple approach that comes more easily to me each year. My criteria is: does it intrigue me, and I curious enough about it to try it. The second half of that mindset is, who cares if I fail as long as I try. I hear about other athletes doing things through pod casts and looking a Ultrarunning, and Trail runner magazine, and that triggers: Hey, that looks cool. Then I think, I wonder if I can do that (at my age, 54)? then I think. Let’s find out. Its all a scientific experiment. What can I do, what can I accomplish, what is my brain and body capable of. Once you’ve picked something that intrigues you, then work up a training plan. Then the even comes and you either make it or you don’t. Its all fun!!!!
I’ve got three events picked out of 2022 that I posted in the intro section.
But I’ve also got my eye on Dragons Back race in Wales in September 2022. the documentary and the youtube videos were irresistible.

[Michelle]

Michelle on January 11, 2022 at 11:05 am #61930

Hayley, I am similar to you. I can only tell you that it was only this winter that some real plans started to formulate, as I started realizing how much we have in the Alps to capitalize off of (ie alpine groups, courses, guiding, etc). Like you, I have built up a lot of climbing skills before, but haven’t had the confidence to say “ok, I am just going to go solo this 4000 m” (and thats a good thing).

I did start off pretty simple, and I sort of fell into it as people from my Track and Field club do a lot of yearly hikes (not in the alps though), and from those we started talking about higher mountains we wanted to do. My very first one was Bunderalp, and I actually DID do it alone, but there’s nothing technical involved – it just lit a fire under me to find more like it that I would like. I spend a lot of my early morning coffee time looking at websites like bergwelten to find interesting routes, but so far we haven’t done anything that involves anything too technical.

In order to maybe go to the next level, I thought, I need to break it down into smaller pieces. So right now I am working on conditioning (through this program), and my husband and I planned out another big hike (3500 m) for May. Then I want to sign on to one of the beginner mountaineering courses, maybe something like this: https://www.mammutalpineschool.com/en/fuer-frauen-hochtour-fuer-einsteigerinnen-breithorn-4164-m/ (or one in english, because I am a native english speaker). I also have my eyes on a via ferrata course. I figure with enough training, maybe I can build up some confidence.

So I guess thats basically my answer: obsessively looking for peaks I can do without equipment/crampons/etc online, and trying to hook up with people who can show me the way via the courses.

That’s mountaineering stuff though – I also want to get more into mountain/trail running and there’s SO many resources for inspiration in the Alps, races, etc, etc that I am still sifting through it.

[hdrop]

hdrop on January 11, 2022 at 12:20 pm #61933

Thanks for the thoughts both! @Michelle– if you haven’t come across it, AlpsInsight has some great curated routes. I have done some of gravel bike recommendations off of there. Definitely a bit difficult to find guided programs in English around these parts though.

My new goal for this program is to set some goals for the rest of the year.

[Michelle]

Michelle on January 11, 2022 at 1:09 pm #61936

I have found some english programs, but either in Chamonix, Zermatt or Garmisch – and they are typically longer (more stretched out over say a week) and more expensive than the German ones. I will probably end up with the Mammut Alpine School one, but I have time to decide – and who knows with covid these days. I have lots of smaller mini goals in the meantime. Looking forward to hearing how your goals evolve by the end of all this!