About Mountain Climbing

Mountain climbing is one of the most challenging and rewarding of sports. When you learn mountain climbing, you learn on the mountain. There are plenty of opportunities for a beginner on mountains that are not too challenging, so do not hesitate to take the first step. Your guides and instructors will not ask you to do anything they do not feel you can handle. Before you know it, you will be a part of some challenging climbs.

Considerations

Mountain climbing is challenging and adventuresome, with an element of danger. Consider a variety of factors before taking on mountain climbing, such as where you can take lessons. It is essential to take lessons before tackling even a small mountain climbing excursion. Take classes at a place like the North America Alpine Mountaineering School, with climbing schools located throughout North and South America. They offer a variety of programs for climbers of all levels. Another factor to consider before taking up mountain climbing is your health. Make sure your overall health is up to the rigorous physical challenges associated with the sport. High altitudes can be dangerous for some people with certain health conditions. Check with your personal physician about any issues you might have with mountain climbing and your health.

Types

Mountains have different characteristics and there are certain types of mountain climbing for each one. The techniques and skills needed for each style of mountain climbing are taught differently. There are glaciers where you combine rock, ice and snow climbing. Alpine mountain climbing, which requires that same knowledge, it is applied in a different manner. Waterfall ice climbing, where you climb up a frozen waterfall, and rock climbing, where you climb up the shear face of a mountain, also require different techniques and equipment.

Features

In glacier climbing, you'll go both up the mountain and across vast expanses of ice and navigate past deep crevices. For glacier climbing, you need to dress in layers of appropriate climbing clothes, never regular street clothes. You will also need an alpine climbing harness, ice axe with leash, plastic mountaineering boots, climbing helmet and whatever else your guide suggests. You'll use basically the same equipment for ice climbing. For alpine climbing, you'll need the same gear as for glacier and ice climbing plus adjustable trekking poles, rock climbing shoes and a belay device. For rock climbing, you still need to layer clothes, but depending on the weather, there are times you can wear short sleeves. You need much of the same equipment as in alpine climbing, with the exception of the ice axe.

Geography

Every mountain will have its own geography and personality, which makes every mountain climbing adventure different. You need to know as much as you can about the terrain and weather, such as when the temperatures start to warm up on the mountain you are conquering. Glaciers are more challenging and dangerous as the weather warms. You need to know the kind of rock you will encounter when you go straight up the side of a mountain. It's best to climb with someone who knows the mountain like the back of his hand so you can learn from their experience and knowledge about that particular mountain.

Warning

Mountain climbing requires complete concentration and commitment. Follow the advice of your guides to the letter, such as bringing the type of clothes and equipment they say to bring. Make sure you have all the equipment recommended by the guides as well, and know that each climb will have its own equipment needs.

Resources

• North America Alpine Mountaineering School.