Mountain Climbing advice needed.  Can a novice climb the Grand Teton mountain?
542420
The Grand has several different routes to the summit.  The short answer is yes, a novice can climb the Grand.  However, if you choose to do it (which I HIGHLY recommend), be smart.  Go with someone experienced, choose your route with common sense, and always practice safe climbing!  Of course, plan, plan, plan, and then plan some more!
203569
I have done some rafting and kayaking with Natahala Outdoor Center.  Their outpost is on the south side of the park like 50 miles from Pigeon Forge.  This is a top notch outfitter that can put you on a half dozen rivers in the area.  While I have no experience with their lodging I know they do have a lodge and cabins available.  They cant help you out with ATV's but they can set you up with mountain bikes. This is a world class outfit which pays a lot of attention to safely.  They will ask about your skill level and preferences and put you into something that you are comfortable with.  You will be hard pressed to find a more professional, experienced and safety conscience outfitter.  Their web site is www.noc.com .\nI hope this helps.
539177
definately take lesson.  don't try to be a good skier/boarder if you aren't, you will get hurt.  work your way up, when you feel comfortable you can start and stop and turn to avoid people on the green circles, move up to a blue square.  don't try the peak on your first run!
762689
I recommend Aspen, CO.  There are 4 mountains included.  Buttermilk Mountain is great for beginners, while there is Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain for the better skiers.  Snowmass is a huge mountain with great ski schools.  Great night life also!
777062
You are going to want lots of layers, remember if you get too hot you can just peel a few off. Most resorts offer lessons with certified instructors. You'll need to rent a board and some boots, I recommend strap in bindings, not click in bindings because sometimes those come off. Denver is a good place but Boulder and Telluride are better. Denver is a little overrated, sorry to the people that live there and love it! If you don't want to take lessons from the resort, you can find places around the resort you want that offer lessons as well. I can't stress the clothes thing enough. Layers and layers. And wear waterproof pants with comfortable pants underneath. I wear jeans and people think I'm crazy, but it's easiest for me. You'll want a hat because your ears will freeze and warm gloves because your hands will freeze. You'll be falling a lot so make sure that you are sealed up in your clothes and no snow can get in because that is the least comfortable thing in the world. I love snowboarding so I hope you like it too!
833029
There are one or two beginners kit's out there - but I wouldn't recommend them.  The most important thing you are going to buy is climbing shoes.  You need to go to a outdoor, climbing, or mountaineering store and try on a lot of pairs and get the right fit.  You will also need to get a harness, a chalk bag (and chalk), a locking carabineer and a belay device.  Black Diamond is a good company that makes everything except the shoes.  Petzel is also a good choice.  For shoes pick the smallest and tightest ones you can wear for 30 minutes or an hour.
450089
ok - safety advice aside - have exit strategies - where and when you may want to pull out.  have support people around to help give advice on the route.  if you are doing a strict downhill thing - start at the bottom and increase your start point as you get used to the speed and turns.  (make sure there are no cars!)  the faster you go, the more tipsy you become so make sure the condition of the surface is suitable.  other than that if it isn't just speeed you are after, the same principles apply as they do for surfing or skiiing - zig zags slow you down etc.  HAVE FUN
243508
Try www.extremenerd.com
852275
The best thing to do is work the beginning snowboard muscles. You pick your self up a lot so work your triceps, chest, back, butt (cause you'll fall on it) and thigh muscles as much as you can. Skiing and snowboarding aren't the same thing at all and it's important that you know that. Snowboarding is harder to learn but easier to maintain the skill of than skiing. So keep at it, take lessons from a person you like, friends are best, especially patient ones that have been snowboarding a long time. You'll fall alot and you will be in serious pain the next day. Don't try to go up on big hills until you're completely comfortable with the bunny hill. And lastly, just go out and have fun. Snowboarding is all about fun.
805954
For $3 it isn't a bad idea. What time of the year are you going? If it's early or late in the season there is more potential to hit rocks and other hazards so it would be a good idea then. What kind of skier are you? If you are an intermediate skier who rarely strays far from the groomed runs I wouldn't worry about it. If you are an expert level skier and will never stay on the groomers it isn't a bad idea. If you are a beginner and will be sticking to the congested beginner area, definitely pick it up as the chances of another skier hitting and damaging your equipment is fairly high there. But again, 3 bucks for a little piece of mind is a good deal.
629838
Much more difficult.\n\nClothing was primitive, supplementary oxygen was in its infancy (if even available), no satellite weather reports, no chance of any support (not that there is much more now at high levels), less understanding of the climb as less people had been there.\n\nI have absolute respect for folks doing it now ... but the folks that did it first - wow!\n\nPeace out
1023713
Look at on line sites like www.trimbleoutdoors.com. Once signed in you can see all kinds of trips with topo maps for that region. Also dress in layers as it's cold at night (altitude) and hot during the day. Make your own dry foods if you have a dehydrator or buy at places like Big Lots for dry prepared foods rather than paying those ridiculous prices at REI, etc...One of the nice things about that area is it's pretty bug free and will not run into bad weather and rain but be prepared for it!\n\nPersonally, I'd forget Yosemite and do the MT. Whitney trip from the Whitney Portals. You don't have the crowds and you don't need to make it to the top (just under 15,000ft). BTW the PCTrail is there too.  Also bring a telescopic fishing pole, small #6 trebble hooks and power bait for catching great tasting, little brook trout for the lake just a few miles above the trail head from the Portals campground. Good luck!
390082
i would recommend checking in with a rental shop when you get to the mountain, with the new parabolic ski technology and even a "smart ski" (see link below)try out some demo's before and if you decide to buy, if you a "couple times a season" skier i wouldnt buy at all, and always rent. that way you get to ski on new tech every time.\n\n the binding is the most important aspect of skiing levels...don't lie about your height weight or ability level here!\n\nthe only question you need to ask your self is, "how fast do i want to go!"
767829
Highly recommended!!!\nAnd since this will be your first time, I thought i'd offer a few tips.\n1)get an instructor, not only will you get the few tips to make it easier/faster to learn, classes get lift priority and go straight to the head of the line. HUGE plus if you go on a holiday weekend or if it's just plain busy.\n2)You're going to fall, A LOT your first time. Don't let that discourage you though. Happens to ALL of us our first time out. Bring some aspirin. Your 2nd and 3rd times will be much better.\n3)Everyone seems to think of the obvious with the helmets. That protects you if you happen to fall and smack your head. But you WILL fall, and WILL fall on your wrists and knees. Don't forget to protect them too. Get knee pads and wrist guards!!!!!!People may laugh(they might not too) But you will be the one smiling when you can get right back up after a gnarly bail and keep right on down the slope. I can't stress this one enough. I HIGHLY recommend a pair of Burton impact gloves with the wrist guards built right in. If you have gloves already, maybe some Pro-Tec ones that fit under your gloves. Same with the knee pads. Pro-tec ones can be had for $20-35 a set for knee pads and wrist guards. I bought the Burton Impact gloves for just under $100 and the knee gaskets for about the same. Got both sets of Pro-tec too. And in case anyone is wondering, YES, the more expensive burton ones ARE justified. Sounds expensive, but MUCH cheaper than a broken wrist or a blown out knee. I know, broke my wrist my 2nd time out. Water on my knee the 4th time. Which someone was kind enough to give me this info before I learned the hard way.
986740
Read read read\n\nLots of books on living in the outdoors, medical reference book for injurys, outdoor cooking book, boy scout manual and others.\n\nI would also suggest you see if you can locate a "survival camp" that they train people for religious or other purposes to survive in the mountains without civilization's usual perks.  Best to take a buddy with you, as if you become seriously injured, you may put yourself in harm's way and end up dying needlessly.
1011955
I didn't learn how to ride until I was 18. I just started off on a small bike, took me about 20 minutes to learn how to balance, then about a day to ride, breaking, etc.\nWithin a week I was riding all over the city.\n\nNow you can't get me off a bike. Of course I've upgraded to an adult mountain bike, and have had two years to enhance my skills.\n\nBest thing to do is find a quiet area and practice taking off/balancing. It should/will come to you naturally.
481653
Start with something you like, like walking.  build up slowly, don't try any heroic routines that will cause you to crash and burn right out of the gate.  If you focus on stuff you enjoy doing, it won't feel like such a struggle and you won't dread doing it.  Good luck!