| Mountaineering is tough. It's both physically and | | | | You should do a lot of background reading and |
| mentally demanding, but nevertheless it's still an | | | | educate yourself on the latest fitness, nutritional, and |
| activity that people of all ages enjoy. In this article | | | | dietary information so your body is well conditioned |
| I'm going to examine some factors you should | | | | for mountaineering, and you're fully aware of what |
| consider when deciding whether or not you're ready | | | | you should be eating, and how fit you need to be |
| to start climbing mountains. | | | | when you go on any climb. |
| It may be the case that you've already done a lot of | | | | You also need to adapt yourself to hiking and |
| backpacking, climbed many hills in your time, and may | | | | climbing through severe snow and ice, which is not |
| even advanced onto rock climbing, but | | | | exactly something you can practice in your back |
| mountaineering is considerably tougher than all of | | | | garden, so you really need to find a small peak first |
| these activities. | | | | and gain a little experience before going on a serious |
| There are many additional skills you need to acquire | | | | mountain climb. |
| before taking on any serious mountaineering | | | | Other skills you need include being able to use ropes |
| expeditions. | | | | and other equipment, know how to stay safe and |
| For example, you need to be fully comfortable with | | | | what to do in an emergency, read weather |
| reading maps, using compasses, and navigating your | | | | conditions, put up shelter, and navigate through |
| way through harsh mountains in severe weather | | | | glaciers and harsh conditions in general. |
| conditions. Mountaineering is a demanding activity and | | | | Don't let me put you off though. These are all skills |
| will test your body to the limit, so you also need to | | | | that you can easily acquire, and once you do you can |
| be extremely fit before even considering going | | | | enjoy all the excitement and exhilaration that |
| mountaineering. | | | | mountaineering has to offer. |