By Stacy Taniguchi

Before you tackle the big mountains, you'll need to test your skills on mole hills, comparatively speaking. Start with these tips on how to shape up, read up, and gear up for your next ascent.

Can You Handle It?
Your physical condition is directly related to the amount of fun you’ll have while climbing. Prior to a challenging climb, workout routines should be frequent and rigorous. For cardiovascular conditioning, which will keep you going, try walking with a weighted backpack, running, biking, swimming, cross-country skiing, and stair climbing. For upper-body strength, try push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and indoor climbing.

Essential Skills
The first rule of mountaineering is simple: Know what you’re getting into. So start by picking up Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills, published by The Mountaineers, which is widely considered the beginner’s bible. Next, learn the fundamentals from an experienced mountaineer or certified guiding service. Before making your first ascent, learn basic climbing techniques (including rappelling, belaying, anchor systems, and climbing protection), basic rope management, useful climbing knots, and most important, basic wilderness survival.

Gear Up
Your equipment list should include a seat harness, climbing rope, ice axe, stiff-soled over-the-ankle boots, warm clothing, energy food and drinks, survival gear, and at least one partner. Depending on the mountain and its conditions, you also might need crampons for traction; a helmet; slings; protection that can be used on rock, ice, or snow; carabiners; an avalanche beacon; and a chest harness. Most of these items can be rented through your guide service or at a climbing shop.

The cost of a mountaineer’s basic tool kit--ice axe, crampons and harness--should come to about $250. (The outfitter will supply the climbing rope.) More difficult peaks require double-plastic mountaineering boots ($200 to $400) and extreme winter clothing that can cost into the thousands. Camping equipment and oxygen, if necessary, are typically supplied by the outfitter.

Speak the Language
Anchor or Protection: A fixed item on the climbing terrain that holds the weight of a climber when falling or descending. Includes bolts drilled and hammered into rock, natural features such as boulders or trees, pitons, camming devices, ice screws, and snow pickets.

Belay: Various techniques used by a roped climber to produce a controlled descent. Usually requires a partner to create drag on the rope.

Carabiner: A metal snap-link used for attaching the rope to an anchor or sling.

Crampons: Metal boot attachments with multiple spikes that provide traction on slippery snow and ice.

Rappel: A controlled slide down an anchored rope to descend steep terrain.

Sling: Nylon tubular webbing with its ends either tied or professionally sewn together forming a loop. Used to attach to anchors. The rope is threaded through the loop to prevent excessive drag or abrasion of the rope.

Stacy Taniguchi has been a guide on Mt. McKinley for 15 years. He has summited four of the seven highest continental peaks in the world. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in outdoor education from Brigham Young University.