I am not a mountaineer, but I am sure that these tidbits of solid advice will get you off in the right direction.

Gels for Energy

I wish anyone had highlighted the value of high-carb, easy-to-digest foods while spending prolonged periods of time above 12,000 feet. Though expensive, energy gels are the best thing I've found to stuff down my throat in order to keep ascending. They come in a range of varieties, and plenty has added salt or caffeine to help with dehydration or energy levels on the mountain.

Pro Tip: Buy them in bulk online to save a lot of money.

Mountaineering Boots

A good pair of mountaineering boots will keep your feet dry, your toes wet, and your crampons firmly attached. If you know you live in an area with long approaches or are planning a multi-day hike, I suggest buying several pairs, putting them on, and testing them to see who has the most secure fit. If you know you'll be hiking under an expedition bag, a more compact sole will save your feet from a world of misery, and you only need a full-shank boot if you're going to be vertical ice climbing.

Ice Axe + Crampons

Everyone would ask you, "Do you have your own ice axe and crampons?" when you first start competing in snow climbs and winter objectives with your friends. They are an important starting point for anyone who is even mildly interested in alpinism. What's the next step? Learn how to use both safely by enrolling in mountaineering activities. Many coaches would make you repeatedly throw yourself down a snowy slope to practice self-arresting in various positions.

Side note: Buy a wrist leash for your ice axe so it doesn't spin out of your hands when you clamber down the mountain...

Rope Techniques

It sometimes takes too much longer to get passionate with ropes and knots. Though it would be easy to make a list of ten knots you should know inside and out, I'd like to concentrate on three that are used frequently: The Munter hitch, the clove hitch, and the Prusik. If possible, learn them one-handed – you never know when you'll need to tie it while hanging off a choosy crimp! Rope awareness is one of those skills that can deteriorate if you do not practice on a daily basis, so do a few YouTube searches for how-to tutorials, have a length of rope on hand, and practice during 5-minute breaks at your desk or day job!

Humility

This is an ability that many mountaineers, like us, can never fully learn. The quirks that motivate us to force ourselves hard in the mountains are often the same things that make it impossible to calm down, relax, or exercise self-care. Mountaineers are also high-achieving masochists who set unrealistic targets and refuse to accept defeat. Unfortunately, mountains are still one of the most challenging places on the planet, resulting in a collision path for the ego that has left me and several of my toughest mates disappointed and sobbing after an incomplete summit or a rough day out.

Learning to take deep breaths, step back from the ego-driven fire for success, and consider any situation (good or bad) as a learning opportunity are three of the most useful. The phrase "the mountain will still be there tomorrow" is used frequently. It comes up often when returning from a rough high, and it's real. Mountains are not fragile, but the body is, and you just have one.

Mountaineering is a lifetime activity that few people ever learn. If you want to experience more about mountaineering and/or dig further into either of these things, check out our mountaineering activities.