I've reached a point where I am comfortable with the exposure and technicality on most UK grade 1-3 scrambling routes (North Wales, Scotland, Lake District) in summer/slightly damp conditions and summited most of the main peaks in England/Wales regardless of weather conditions via the 'less popular' routes on multiple several week long trips navigating with guide books, other trails on apps, maps etc. Since I am from the south UK I have found it hard to find people that are also into this hobby/sport so I do most of it solo. I know my limit and if I see something dicey I just do it another day. Now that I am interested in branching into the mountaineering side of things I'd like to meet more people who I can go on these trips with and learn skills from. I have done bouldering for a while and I would want to improve my rope skills for outdoor use. I fortunately have until late January off and would like to go to the alp region but of course right now I do not have the training/knowledge required to do it safely alone.
What would be the best way for me to meet people who are also at my skill level or above, who go on these hikes/2000-3000m peaks in the UK/Alps region to get a network of people that I can learn with? Building from that what would be the most money efficient way to learn necessary skills (glacier crossing, ice axe arrest, crampon use, avalanche training etc) so that I am comfortable moving to the next step? I've seen some local mountaineering clubs and international ones like Austrian Alpine Club (AAC UK) has been recommended a few times in some posts and saw that they may offer subsidised all season training in the UK (Glenmore Lodge for example) and Austrian located courses. Would these clubs usually be generally cheaper than directly hiring a mountain guide and asking for specific training? For those that are already in these local clubs have you found it easy to organise trips with people in their messaging groups to practice or are there other apps/sites for that? Would it be more suitable to spend this winter in Scotland instead getting some of those peaks and routes in winter under my belt (I won't have this amount of time off again next year) or pay for some guides abroad (and because of money do less actual mountaineering)? How can I find partners based in Scotland for this training also or meet people who are comfortable taking me under their wing so to speak. Got a lot of free time and don't want to waste it as I am eager to progress!
Lots of open ended questions but thanks in advance
