peaks between 5000-6000m

Those are absolutely brilliant, just the kind of companies I was thinking of. I'm seriously thinking about booking the Jagged Globe 'Introductory Winter Mountaineering' course right away!

kashmir kolhai peak 5600m and harmukh peak 5400m
http://www.flickr.com/photos/himalays/

{quote:title=cliffordfan wrote:}{quote}
yes, looking in a trekking guide book for Nepal for "trekking peaks", Island Pk, at 6000m is a popular and not too difficult one to start with...

"Trekking peak" is a misleading name. It is definitely not trekking but real mountaineering. The Island Peak includes a 60° snow/ice slope (easy to negociate with crampons, an ice axe and a jumar when the fixed ropes are in place, but you need to be familiar with those,) and a narrow ridge below the summit. Plus it's a real expedition that you need to organise (get a permit + compulsory guide from Kathmandu, fly to Lukla or take the 4 day walk from Jiri, then hike from Lukla to Namche and on to Chukkhung, plus at least 2 days for the climb itself, that's a minimum of 2 or 3 weeks).

I'd say there are easier peaks to start with, for example Stok Kangri in Ladakh (best done in the summer, with or without a guide, you just need a pair or crampons and an ice axe, but it's basically a non technical walk on a flat glacier and then hard snow). 4 days are enough from/back to Leh.

In Nepal, there is an easy 5800m peak (no equipment required, it's just a hike) in a side valley towards the EBC (it's called "Chukhung Tse ", above Chukkhung Ri 5560m ).

Mera Peak in Nepal is a good place to start. as reccomended above Jagged globe are a quality outfit

July / August Huaraz for Cordillera Blanca (Peru), La Paz (for Cordillera Real) or Quito for the volcanos in Ecuador will give you options. There are also some volcanos along the Bolivia / N Argentina / / N Chile border that fit the bill, you could get info in La Paz or San Pedro de Atacama in N Chile

South America photography

Thanks again for all the replies guys. At the moment I'm looking at doing the Jagged Globe Scottish Winter course early next year to get some crampon/ice axe experience. From there I'll aim to attempt Stok Kangri sometime after that. Looking beyond that I think I'll head to South America, the Equador volcanos look fun :)

Just out of interest, what kind of experience/skills do people think are are needed before attempting Aconcagua?