What is Mountaineering?
If you’re into adventure travel, you have probably come across the term mountaineering before. You may have seen it on gear labels, on hiking forums, or in books about intense trekking endeavors. Though this term is thrown around quite a bit, you might not know what is mountaineering.
Many people use mountain climbing and mountaineering interchangeably, but that’s not entirely accurate. Mountaineering is a sport of its own, and simply saying it is the act of going up a mountain doesn’t give it the recognition it deserves.
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What is Mountaineering?
You may find a variety of opinions on what is considered mountaineering. To keep it simple, mountaineering is climbing up a challenging mountain, often in snow, with the goal of reaching the summit. These trips can take several days, or just one long day for smaller mountains.
Mountaineering is similar to hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing, but it really is a sport of its own. Like backpacking, you are carrying all the gear you will need for the trip in your backpack and will often spend a few nights on the trail. Mountaineers will use some hiking and rock climbing techniques throughout the ascent, such as scrambling.
However, mountaineering is not any of these sports. It involves more scrambling, climbing, and rope usage than a hiking or backpacking trip would. Unlike rock climbing, you aren’t on a rock face – you spend much of your time moving by foot.
What also makes it unique is the focus on teamwork. Mountaineering often involves hiring a certified mountain guide to keep the group safe. The group will rely on one another for safety precautions, encouragement, and assistance. While plenty of people will take on a solo backpacking trip, it is rare and dangerous for someone to mountaineer alone.
The Challenges of Mountaineering
When answering “what is mountaineering”, we mentioned the goal is to reach the summit. While that is certainly the goal, it doesn’t always happen. There are some major challenges that can stand between a mountaineer and the peak of a mountain.
- Dangerous Terrain – We’re not talking about a “mountain” that you can day hike in three hours. We’re talking big mountains. These come with the dangers of avalanches, whiteouts, rockfall, crevasses, and a lot more that can be deadly if you’re not careful.
- Risk Of Injury – Hand-in-hand with the dangerous terrain comes with the risk of injury. However, injury on top of a mountain is more dangerous than an injury a mile from the trailhead. In many areas if you get hurt it is going to be pretty tough to bring you back to safety. Especially in a timely manner.
- Deep Snow– Mountains accumulate a lot of snow. Sometimes, you take a step and sink down to your waist. It takes a lot of effort to move through that snow. You move slower and use more energy. You’ll need a lot of calories to fuel your journey.
- Cold Weather – It can be extremely cold on a mountain. Having the appropriate gear is about more than just comfort, it’s about keeping your body safe and performing optimally.
Training For Mountaineering
You can’t just get up and go mountaineering tomorrow. A lot more thought and effort needs to go into this activity.
For starters, you’ll typically need some basic training with your guide or an instructor. They will review the essential skills needed for climbing a mountain. It’s best to spend some time practicing these skills on a consistent basis before embarking on your trip. This will give you that much more confidence and make you more prepared.
If you choose to go without an instructor, you’ll need a lot more training. Guides are well-versed in mountaineering safety, first aid, routes, and the area they are climbing. A professional guide is a valuable asset on the mountain, without one you need to be able to fill their shoes.
We recommend hiring a guide. Find one here.
Mental and Physical Training
In addition to knowing the ins and outs of mountaineering, you also need to be prepared for the mental and physical challenge you are about to endure.
Physical conditioning is important for ascending mountains. If you’re not in good shape, you’ll have trouble keeping up with the group and might not feel up to making it to the top. Start off with some challenging backpacking trips and find a training program designed to help prepare you for the climb.
Having a strong mental state is just as important. The dangerous terrain can really test your nerves, but you need to keep focus. Being mentally weak can also cause you to give up far before you reach your physical limits. Before going mountaineering, you need to build your mental toughness.
What Mountaineering Gear Do You Need?
There are a few pieces of basic backpacking gear that may carry over into mountaineering. However, a lot of the gear needed for mountaineering are specific to the sport. Some of this you can rent if you don’t plan on going mountaineering regularly.
- Crampons – Crampons are a traction device that attach to your boots to grip the snow or ice so you can walk on it without sliding around. They look like little teeth that stick out the bottom of your boots. These are the ones we recommend.
- Mountaineering Rope/Harness/Carabiner – Rope and harnesses are an essential safety tool. You may rope up with one or more people for safety at risky points of the climb.
- Helmet – Wearing a helmet is important for protection from falling rock or ice.
- Mountaineering Boots – You typically don’t want to use your usual hiking boots. You’ll need boots that crampons can secure onto. Mountaineering boots are stiffer and more supportive than hiking boots and are more compatible with crampons.
- Camping Gear – You’ll need a four season tent for mountaineering. You’ll also want a warm sleeping bag, a warm sleeping pad, and much of your other backpacking gear. Read this if you need help finding a warm enough sleeping bag.
- Mountaineering Gloves – These gloves should be specific to mountaineering. They need to be durable and waterproof without sacrificing dexterity.
Conclusion
What is mountaineering? Mountaineering has similar qualities of hiking, backpacking and rock-climbing, but with it’s own twists and challenges. Climbing a mountain isn’t for everyone – it is surely an impressive feat for those who enjoy it!
Cover photo by Sylvain Mauroux on Unsplash
