In reply to edhawk21:
Maybe I’ve listened to too many podcasts or just had 1 too many beers this evening but I’m curious what the motivation behind “joining” a (specifically) FA trip/expedition is?
I’ll preface this with the disclaimer that I’ve no FAs or “firsts” to my name whatsoever and I mean no hard words here. I’m genuinely curious….. saying that I’d think that any sense of achievement of an FA in these circumstances would be negated by being simply a joining (or tagging along) member. It strikes me as a bit of an oxymoron.
If the motivation is to be pioneering…. Well, you won’t really have done that. Others will have done all the planning, leg work and are really the pioneers. Your individual achievement would really have been no greater than a support role on an established route.
if it’s for the kudos… again those who dreamt up, set up, planned and lead the expedition are the ones who deserve the kudos.
Sure there’s achievement there but no more than just joining a group on Denali or Broad Peak or Everest.
To attempt to answer the question though, I’d say; surround yourself with people doing these things. Prove yourself around these people. You’ll likely get invited along at some point. If you visit the local bouldering wall once a week, you’ll probably not get the opportunities but if you ingrain yourself in climbing, climbing regularly in hotspots, building your skills, talking to people and getting involved with the community you’ll stand a much better chance.
Alternatively, spend a load of time pouring over Google Earth. Find a peak or a line that excites you. Do some research. Has it been climbed? No? Put a plan in place. Go and climb it.