My First Blog

Sooooo, here I am - 44 years old and decided to get into mountaineering after a few years trekking.  Why, who knows.  My time in life I guess.......
My goal is attempting Mount Everest or another 8000m+ mountain (note attempting) in 2022, however, sooooo many factors - time, money, kids, wanting to die just yet...., so we will see where we get to.  So, before that we need to make sure I can drag my ass up something a little smaller and have heaps of fun doing it.

I have trekked in Nepal a few times, however not as yet completed any "Peak" Climbs. I current live in Perth, Australia with a height above sea level of 10m.  Adding 8000m or so is a big jump, will see how it goes.

It must be noted, that while I have this goal, I have no experience in climbing (Rock or Mountains), have little to no strength in my upper body (note that I have a "dad bod"), have grown up on the coast always close to water, and yet to be fully proven with heights :-)

So here is my plan.
1.  Learn the ropes, literally. 
2.  Take course in Rigging - care-of Sven from Space Chameleon Adventure Co (http://www.spacechameleonadventureco.com/)
3.  Learn some rock climbing techniques - City Summit in Malaga, WA (www.citysummit.com.au)
4.  Participate in an Alpine Course - this one with Alpine Guides in New Zealand, check them out (www.alpineguides.co.nz)
5.  Join an advanced Mountaineering Course - again with Alpine Guides in New Zealand (www.alpineguides.co.nz) or organise a private course to specifically target areas for improvement.
6.  Put whats learnt into practice.  The plan is April 2019, walk from Jiri, Nepal to EBC, on the way back down, climb East Lobuche, then down to Island Peak and over the     technical Amphu Laptsa Pass (5845m) and finally climbing Mera Peak
7.  Climb Mount Cook and a few others in New Zealand
8.  Climb Denali in Alaska
9.  Climb Ama Dablam in Nepal (very technical climb) - I believe brown undies will be in order
10. Climb Cho Oyu (8021m) in Nepal to see how the body works, or more likely in my case doesn't work at 8000+m.
11. Climb some more, and more.....
12. Attempt the initial goal - my plan is to climb with a reputable company, however I do not want to be "dragged" up the mountain.  My plan is to be self-sufficient and proficient in the mountains, hopefully minimising the risk of not coming home.

Of course this will probably change as time goes on, however needed a starting point, so this is it.