About MountainInsider.com

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Welcome to MountainInsider.com. My name is Scott Skinger and throughout this site I will be sharing my mountain climbing and hiking experiences with you. You will read about the mountains I climb, the equipment I use, the towns I stay in and anything else that might be interesting or helpful to you.

How to use this site

MountainInsider.com is organized by “trips”, the towns I have visited along with the mountains I have climbed. Each trip typically has numerous posts, covering pre-trip planning, the climb itself or anything else that adds to the experience. My first trip to Salida, CO in 2007, describes my first mountaineering experience, climbing Mt. Shavano. I climbed this mountain with no prior mountaineering experience, some basic tips from a book and no idea of what to expect. As I hike more and climb more mountains, I will learn more about equipment, techniques, training, cool towns and more…I will then share this with you.

More About Me

Do you want to know more about me? Alright, fine…read on. My name is Scott Skinger. I live in a suburb about an hour outside of Chicago. I am 38 years old, married and have 3 kids. I own a computer training business, Train Signal, Inc., that sells computer training products through our website, www.trainsignal.com. I am a Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears fan. I like all sorts of music; my favorite artists include the Dave Mathews Band, Sarah McLachlan, the Grateful Dead and Metallica (there is nothing better to run to).

My Physical Condition

I am 6’ 1” and weigh 200 Lbs. I am in above average shape (but I won’t be running a marathon anytime soon) and workout approximately 3 times per week with weights and/or cardio. I have flat feet and my ankles and feet tend to get sore after a good amount of walking. I have above average will power and am driven by accomplishment (i.e. running faster, reaching a summit, etc.). I climbed my first 14er, Mt. Shavano Climb, with no prior mountain climbing conditioning.

Questions or Comments? Send me an email, scott@mountaininsider.com