Honest Question Regarding Guides

[Wish I lived in CO]

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.

[cottonmountaineering]

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]

* Do I use TA(s)/TO(s) (travel agent/tour operator - guide) or do I learn to plan, book and execute all my travels on my own?

Travel agents still exist?

[jladderud]

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]

No peak is undoable without guides

By Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.

[Ptglhs]

No peak is undoable without guides

By Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Did you read the last line of my post?

[polar]

No peak is undoable without guides

By Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Did you read the last line of my post?

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".

[Dave B]

By Tanzanian law, you must have a guide and at least two porters with you Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Did you read the last line of my post?

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".

not peaks are all doable with unguides?

[stephakett]

Did you read the last line of my post?

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".

not peaks are all doable with unguides?

all guides are doable on peaks?

[polar]

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".

not peaks are all doable with unguides?

all guides are doable on peaks?

All guides are doable without peaks.

[davebks]

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.

[CHWitte]

A 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.

and back down...