Mountaineering
Mountaineering (or mountain climbing) is the act of climbing mountains. The sport aims at reaching the highest point of mountains, preferably high, difficult to climb or (mostly historically) yet unclimbed ones. The techniques differ depending on whether the terrain is rock, snow or ice, and in many cases the mountaineer has to face all of them in difficult (cold and windy) conditions at high altitudes after a long wilderness hike. Except in the case of the easiest mountains, mountaineering requires experience, athletic ability, good equipment and technical knowledge. Safety can seldom be guaranteed.
As mountaineering requires training and experience for all but the easiest cases – and determining whether the conditions allow a safe tour requires experience in itself – this article will not try to teach the needed skills. Instead it touches on some of the issues, tries to explain what mountaineering is about, and lists some destinations of interest for mountaineers or those fascinated by the topic.
UnderstandThe simplest climbs involve just hiking, cycling or cross country skiing through some hills. Even these can be quite rewarding, giving fine views and perhaps opportunities for camping or wildlife photography.
PrepareEvery mountain is different. An expedition usually starts with the approach, which could be a combination of hiking, skiing and scrambling. As you get closer to the summit, you could face actual climbing on rock or ice.
DestinationsThe Seven Summits are the tallest mountains on each continent. The summits are:
SleepThe base camp is a convenient and safe location where one can stay while preparing for the climb, wait for good weather, and leave equipment and supplies not needed on the climb itself.
Stay safeMountain climbing is an inherently risky activity. It cannot be made entirely "safe".
LearnYou're a strong hiker, and want to learn the ropes of technical mountaineering?
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Mountaineering" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: GOFAS, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons