In reply to RoryT:
this is the easy part. in 2 years you can build enough skill etc for your first extended trip to big mountains..
what may be harder is the cash to pay for it. getting in with some mentoring climbers is one thing, getting mentored for a disposable income is another.
you want to be putting away a few grand each year (not blowing it on girls, weed, cider and cars).
if youve got that side sorted you are well ahead, if not, get a part time job asap.
otherwise, start reading atlases, walking around with a big pack on and get used to cold nights in sleeping bags.
a degree of it all is luck, but mostly its hard, lonely work.
