Denied

So, I can't climb the West Rib route of McKinley without, "significant fixed-rope and ice climbing experience at altitude." Bother. At the guide's suggestion, I'm going to go ice climbing in the Adirondacks with another guide company, Rock and River. They claim that their training will be "over kill" for West Rib ... which is exactly what I want. Wunderbar. So I'll call them tomorrow and get that scheduled and then call the RMI folks and fork over the down-payment for the West Buttress route on McKinley.

I also learned of the Liberty Ridge route up Mt. Rainier. Apparently they have a multi-year backlog of people waiting to take that trip. I think I'll try to get my name on that list.

And the RMI folks also suggested their Skills Seminar on Mt. Adams in Washington. So, maybe with the combination of Rainier, McKinley, ice climbing in the Adirondacks and Mt. Adams, they'll let me go up the West Rib route next year. They better.