>>214419If you're in Colorado, there should be plenty of mountaineering groups out there. And
14ers.com has a meet up section and people look for climbing partners all the time. Being in Houston, I don't know *anyone* who climbs. Even the people at the local rock gym are just going to local e-rock or the Tanks of somewhere else in Texas. I solo it quite often so I carry a beacon (and I'm hitting middle age and most people in my age group are fairly out of shape). I don't really risk avy dangers but I'm considering a mid to late(ish) spring solo run (April or May) on Challenger and Kit Carson. I've always wanted to solo rope through the Avenue with it snowed up.
>>214547Don't over-think it too much. Personally, I think the biggest hurdle is not being daunted by exposure (I've never had a problem with it since childhood). However, the rock gym is excellent for several things - Learning to always keep one hand on rock to where it is natural. Various rock grips. And yes, basic class 5 technique. And how are rock grips important - I was doing Kelso ridge after a good dusting in Sep. and got off route near the summit and ended up in Dead Dog couloir. It was lose rock and slush-mud. Even though I wasn't on class 5, my footing was shit at the top of that steep coulior, almost to the point of uselessness. I pretty much did pinch-holds and finger jams along the side wall while walking up to keep from slipping and tumbling down the 1000+ feet (pic related..shitty I know...you can see the trail to Grays in the upper part for scale).
That said, I think one of the most important things is route finding and that just takes getting on the mountain...take it easy and don't get in a rush.
