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Some Frequently Asked Questions about Mountaineering
For many people, the two terms “hiking” and “mountaineering” are two interchangeable words. In reality, however, they are entirely different things. That’s why many hikers who want to start moving into the world of mountaineering don’t realize that their newfound passion might actually be considered a sport in and of itself. That’s why this article will take some of the most frequently asked questions about mountaineering – and answer them.
Question: What exactly is mountaineering?
Answer: Mountaineering could be considered “hiking for mountains.” While a simple hike might take you up a challenging hill, to scale a mountain is an entirely different endeavor. It takes a lot of discipline, skill, experience, and will power to enable yourself to climb mountains, and the world’s toughest mountains are still exhaustive challenges even for the world’s best mountaineers.
Question: Where should I get started if I want to mountaineer?
Answer: You should probably consult a doctor to get a checkup and to find out about your physical fitness levels and if you have any conditions that would make it difficult you to climb mountains. You’ll also want to try consulting some professional or experienced mountaineers to find out what you can expect.
Question: What kind of training is best suited for mountaineering?
Answer: Stamina is one of the areas to focus on, so an activity that requires a lot of stamina like running or even hiking would be a great prelude to working on a mountain. You’ll also want to focus on breathing, proper stretching of your muscles, and the development of upper-body strength through exercises and resistance training.
Question: Is mountaineering dangerous?
Answer: Like many things, mountaineering can be as dangerous as you make it. You can start out by trying some simple mountain hikes to get a feel for it – paths that are already carved out by plenty of human activity are a good way to introduce yourself to the sport. More advanced challenges shouldn’t be tackled right away. If you do plenty of preparing and make realistic strides, you can minimize your risks.
Question: What kind of equipment will I need?
Answer: Much of your equipment will be similar to what you would bring on an extended hike: a backpack to store your goods, a good pair of boots/shoes, and navigation tools like a compass and/or a GPS. It’s good to bring plenty of provisions of water and food, but keep in mind these can also weigh you down.
Question: What is the greatest challenge in mountaineering?
Answer: You’ll see plenty of different answers to this question, but one possibility is that your mindset and attitude will be the greatest challenge in mountaineering. When you push your body and mind to the limit with a difficult climb, it’s your attitude that will carry you through to the end.
Photo Credits: Dru!
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Exercise Benefits of Hiking
If you’ve ever been hiking, walking, or even running outdoors, you know the feeling of gratification that occurs when you open that door back into the house. You remember how it feels good to be back out of the cold – or the heat, depending on where you live – taking a shower and feeling like you’ve really done yourself a favor. “Hmm,” you wonder. “Why don’t I do that more often?”
Well, why don’t you. There are plenty of benefits to exercise, but what are the benefits of using hiking as your form of exercise? Here are some quick benefits you’ll notice when you start taking those treks into the wilderness:
-Fresh air and sunlight.
Depending on the day, of course, sunlight can be a variable, but when it’s there, you get a nice dose of Vitamin D that humans have been wired to enjoy and soak up since the days of Adam and Eve. The fresh air also does wonder for the lungs, gets you outside of your head for a while, and allows you to fucs on what’s important. Many people even forgo the iPods and mp3 players – why distract yourself? Being outdoors gives you a mental energy and focus, a sharpness that will last you throughout the day, which is why so many people enjoy going in the morning.
-Leg strength.
Hiking has its challenges, and for that you should be grateful – without the challenges, there’d be no growth happening. Hiking is a great way to build lower-body strength and stamina, giving you a confidence about being in the outdoors that you didn’t have before. After you’ve hiked ten miles through some treacherous woods, you feel like you can beat anything, and after habitual hiking, you’ll find that your legs grow stronger, healthier, and ready for action. That’s personal growth you can’t buy.
-Endurance.
Endurance is also one of the hallmarks of the hiker, particular those especially-devoted hikers who can’t get themselves out of the woods. Keep in mind that while you’re enduring out there, getting out of your comfort zone, you’re also building endurance for next time, constantly building up your ability to enjoy this fundamental exercise. The more sweat, the better – you know you’ve accomplished something when you finally step on the bottom of that hill, soaked in sweat, looking up at the hill you just conquered. There’s no feeling that substitutes for the natural high of endorphins that comes with endurance.
These are just some of the benefits of hiking. To experience it for yourself, in short, get out there! You don’t know what you’re missing until you try it just once – and you never know; you might get hooked.
Photo Credits: footloosiety
