| While mountain climbing can be one of the most | | | | that of avalanches. Avalanches are caused either by |
| exciting and challenging sports, there are also many | | | | loose snow which accumulates as it rolls down the |
| dangers involved in mountain climbing which one | | | | mountain, eventually forming a large mass, or by a |
| should consider. To decrease the odds of falling | | | | slab of snow which suddenly breaks free. Climbers |
| victim to a damaging or fatal injury on the mountain, | | | | need to be experienced with snow climbing |
| make sure that you are aware of all of the hazards | | | | techniques and pay close attention to the recent |
| and take appropriate safety precautions. In this article | | | | weather to know what level of danger they are |
| we will look at some of the common dangers that | | | | facing from a possible avalanche. If there is a high |
| one faces when climbing. | | | | risk of an avalanche due to the local conditions, the |
| The most obvious hazard that springs to mind when | | | | leader of a climb has to be prepared to turn back ' |
| thinking about mountain climbing is the danger of | | | | this can be difficult to do when great effort has |
| falling. Rough surfaces of exposed rock make it easy | | | | been put into reaching the higher parts of a |
| to break one's bones or even die instantly from | | | | mountain, and frustrating as well because without |
| comparatively short falls. A mountain climber must | | | | someone as a trigger the avalanche usually doesn't |
| continually be aware of the environment around him | | | | happen, making it impossible to say whether or not |
| and make sure that his / her estimates of the | | | | going back was necessary. Still, exercising caution |
| strength and stability / firmness of the rock are | | | | when snow conditions are dangerous is the only way |
| correct. Rocks can be rotten and give way, crumbling | | | | to be safe. The standard safety gear used for areas |
| when weight is applied to them. The speed with | | | | where avalanches may occur are an avalanche |
| which weight is transferred from one point to | | | | beacon, shovel and probe. |
| another is also important, as jerking motions are | | | | Finally weather is also a great danger, especially on |
| more likely to dislodge a hand hold or foot hold. Many | | | | the upper reaches of a mountain. The combination of |
| climbers take advantage of multiple support points to | | | | cold, snowy weather, which may make it very |
| protect themselves in case one of their supports | | | | difficult to see the area ahead of you, and the |
| gives way. It is also wisest, in cases where vertical or | | | | altitude, which makes it more difficult to breathe, |
| near vertical ascents are being undertaken, to climb in | | | | make climbing to the summit of a tall mountain an |
| a team. When climbing together, team members | | | | extreme challenge. Climbers must be sure to bring |
| must always be aware of each other's positions, as | | | | proper support, and to gauge the level of oxygen |
| they rely on each other for physical support and for | | | | that they bring with them to remain safe. |
| rescue if there is a sudden problem. | | | | Take all this into account and you can enjoy your |
| Another common danger for mountain climbers is | | | | climbing, and keep the risks to a minimum. |