Mountaineering is exactly what it sounds like: climbing mountains. This activity started with explorers trying to reach the highest peaks of mountains. Today, mountaineers climb all kinds of mountains and try to get to the very top. Many serious mountain climbers have traversed the globe and made perilous journeys to reach the peak of Mount Everest. It is the highest mountain on Earth! Its peak is at the frontier between Nepal and China. The peak season to climb Mount Everest is between April and May. That's when the sky is mostly clear and there isn't a huge danger from rain or snowfall.
Mountains pose several dangers for explorers and adventure-seekers. The most common danger is the threat of altitude sickness. Mountains can go up very high, and most humans are not used to breathing and exercising in a climate where the air is so thin. People can get very sick, throw up, and even die from altitude sickness.
Altitude sickness can be avoided by going up the mountain slowly. It is recommended to go up no more than 300 m per day. If someone is already showing symptoms, then it is best to descend right away. "Climb high, sleep low" is a climber's motto. It refers to climbing higher to get used to the conditions, but to return to lower elevations to sleep.
Altitude sickness isn't the only danger. People can also fall into crevasses. There are very real threats of avalanches, rockfall, or rock slides, not to mention falling off a cliff! Nonetheless, many athletes still brave the harsh and strenuous conditions.
Why do people want to take on such a dangerous sport? For some people there are positive payoffs. Some mountaineers consider it a huge achievement to reach the tallest peak on Earth. Others want to challenge and push themselves further than they thought was possible. Some might enjoy the process and the thrill of it.
The youngest person to climb Mount Everest was only 13 years old! Jordan Romero is American, and he climbed the mountain with his parents and local guides. Some people think he was too young to understand the dangers of his adventure and the consequences. However, that didn't stop Jordan from seeking more mountains to climb and summits to conquer. Jordan Romero went on to climb many other mountains on different continents.
The laws have changed now. Depending on which side the climb is on, there are different age restrictions. The Nepali side requires climbers to be 16 or older and the Chinese side requires its climbers to be between 18 and 70 years old.
Do you want to become a mountaineer? If you've got the stamina, then mountain climbing could be for you. There aren't formal rules that dictate what it means to be a mountaineer. In order to be safe though, there are some prerequisites to consider.
It is best to take a class first or hire an experienced guide. That way you will be able to learn the essential skills. It is important to know what kind of specialized equipment is required. For example, anchors are needed for many mountain climbing trips. It is also a good idea to learn about how to prepare for possible inclement weather.
A big part of mountaineering is making sure you have the right gear and can build good shelters. These shelters can be tents, huts, or even snow caves. The most important shelter is called base camp, which is the last safe shelter before climbers make the final summit to the top.
Even with all the risks, do you want to try mountaineering?