The Explorer's Club of Pittsburgh Mountaineering School is starting up next month. This is a great introduction to winter climbing in the mountains, and is a fantastic time! Put in the work, and you will definitely enjoy yourself. If you are interested, check out the mountaineering school website or download an application.

Class topics include:

• fitness and training
• medical topics
• navigation and cold weather camping
• glacier travel and crevasse rescue
• trip planning

Shameless plug: I took the school for two years as a student, spent last year as an instructor, and this year (with David Micklo) will be the director.

UPDATE: applications are no longer being accepted for this year's school, but there is always next year!