Honest Question Regarding Guides
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- Wish I lived in CO
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
Maybe for a mountain like the Matterhorn in Switzerland it'd be good. Lots of fixed lines, definitely don't want to get off route, coordination with other climbing groups, support from the guides (medical or other), etc. Lots of reasons for a guide on a mountain like that.
Last edited by Wish I lived in CO on Mon May 27, 2019 3:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2
Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
At a bare minimum a fixer is necessary to access certain remote, high altitude peaks. I don't think I could account for learning 2 new languages in preparation for a peak.
- Dave B
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- jladderud
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
I'd add that it also comes down to resources/priorities. The skills for bigger mountain objectives can be use it or lose it. I live in the desert and don't make the time to find snow to practice roped glacier travel. Consequently, I was happy to hire a local guide for Orizaba--a peak that can easily be climbed unguided by those with the right skill set. For me the extra expense was well worth the time saved, and I had a blast on the trip. Just another approach.
- stephakett
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
By Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.” (Aldous Huxley)
Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
Did you read the last line of my post?stephakett wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 4:38 pmBy Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.
- polar
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
I didn't read the last line of your post, I got confused by the first line of your post. English isn't my first language.
How about, "all peaks are doable without guides".
"Getting to the bottom, OPTIONAL. Getting to the top, MANDATORY!" - The Wisest Trail Sign
- Dave B
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
not peaks are all doable with unguides?polar wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 10:04 pmI didn't read the last line of your post, I got confused by the first line of your post. English isn't my first language.Ptglhs wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 4:54 pmDid you read the last line of my post?stephakett wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2019 4:38 pm
By Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.
How about, "all peaks are doable without guides".
- stephakett
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
all guides are doable on peaks?
“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.” (Aldous Huxley)
- polar
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
All guides are doable without peaks.
"Getting to the bottom, OPTIONAL. Getting to the top, MANDATORY!" - The Wisest Trail Sign
- davebks
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
When I started getting into more technical mountaineering from rock I hired a guide from Colorado Mountain School for a few days out, just the two of us. It was worth EVERY penny. I learned so much from him and got some cool climbs under my belt. It helped with confidence but also knowledge.
I have used guides on international trips as well.
I am fully in support of guides but you also dont want it to be a crutch. It's important to put your skills to work and find good partners. Your experiences will teach you something each time but the guide will help build the foundation.
I have used guides on international trips as well.
I am fully in support of guides but you also dont want it to be a crutch. It's important to put your skills to work and find good partners. Your experiences will teach you something each time but the guide will help build the foundation.
- CHWitte
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Re: Honest Question Regarding Guides
and back down...Mike Shepherd wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2019 10:59 pmA peak becomes "undoable" without guides when you or your team (or lack of team) don't possess the necessary skills to get to the top on your own.
As for starting to prepare now for the future, it would be useful to know what your goals are.

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