The Basics of Mountaineering and Climbing

Mountaineering is the sport of hiking and / or climbingone outcropping of stone to another gradually while
to the top of mountains. In America the terms usedmaintaining multiple connection points.
are usually mountaineering or mountain climbing, whileTo walk or climb over parts of a mountain which are
in Europe the term alpinism is also commonly used.covered in ice and snow requires more special
While vertical rock climbing and vertical ice climbingequipment than standard rock climbing, most notably
may be required to reach the top of a mountain, notcrampons: ten or twelve point spikes which are
all mountains require the same kind of climbingattached to one's boots for increased traction, or
techniques to get to the summit. However, mountainsnowshoes for gentle snowy slopes. The kind of
climbing takes advantage of some of the safetycrampons which are used to walk over icy surfaces
techniques that are used for vertical rock climbingare different from those that are used for climbing a
and ice climbing, most notably rope harness systemssheer vertical surface of ice, as vertical crampons will
with multiple connection points for holding the weighthave spikes on the toes pointing forwards. The ice
of the climber in case there is a situation where theaxe is also used in the process of ascending a snowy
ground gives way (or if one of the harness points/ icy area of the peak ' in the beginning stages of
fails).climbing a mountain the ice axe can be used as a
There are three basic divisions of the craft ofstaff or walking stick, as you move upwards the
mountain climbing, depending on whether the climberpoint of the pick can be used as a dagger or the ice
is traveling over rock, snow or ice. Differentaxe can be swung over the head to dig into ice
equipment is used for each of these environmentsabove the user, making it easier to ascend.
and special techniques have to be used to ensure theIt is often safer to climb a mountain as a team.
safety of the climber and the group. When walkingWhen you climb as a team your entire group can be
over rock, conditions are usually the safest, althoughattached to each other by a single rope line. If one
one must be careful of the hazards of falling rocksmember of the group falls or has an accident the
(caused by the gradual process of erosion of theothers can come to that person's aid and perform a
mountains and the recent weather conditions) andrescue operation. This is particularly important when
loose rocks or rotten rocks which may give way ifclimbing on glacial deposits which often contain hidden
the climber is not careful. To survive while climbingcrevasses. If proper safety precautions are studied,
over rock, the climber must pay close attention tomountain climbing is one of the most exhilarating
the condition of any of his / her handholds andsports that one can enjoy.
footholds, and make sure to transfer weight from