Ain't No Mountain High Enough That Can't Be Climb
December 4th, 2008

Mountain climbing, or mountaineering, is one of the oldest sports in the world. It is the timeless sport of scaling high slopes on a mountain with the goal of reaching the top, or summit, in mind. Mountaineering is actually a combination of many other sports, like snow, ice, and rock climbing as well as hiking and often camping.

Much of the introductory mountain climbing done by beginners is little more than hiking up hill. Because there is such a range of difficulty levels and it is easy to start, mountain climbing is very popular. The basic climbs also seem much less intimidating than if people had to start off scaling a straight up rock wall.

The other exciting part is that there is such variety in the sport even at its most basic levels. In fact, one day of mountain climbing can get you everything from freezing temperatures to unbearable heat due to changes in altitude, weather, and basic sub angles. This variety offers you the opportunity to use skills like problems solving, climbing skills, and overall physical conditioning.

When beginning mountaineering as a sport, there is a lot to consider in terms of training and equipment. In the beginning, supplies that are necessary really only include those similar to hiking: tents, sleeping bags, and rations are obviously a must, but little else. However, as the difficulty level increases and the slope becomes tougher, climbers will need ropes and other actual climbing equipment to ensure safety. In extreme climbing situations, rock and ice climbing gear is needed beyond the ropes and hiking equipment.

So with all of this in mind, how do you get started if you think mountaineering might be for you? The first thing you must do is figure out which type of mountain climbing would be best for you. Each type of mountain climbing, no matter what level, does require a certain amount of personal fitness as well as an investment of time and money. Choose the one that sounds the most like something you would enjoy, rather than just looking for the one most commonly associated with more clout. Decide whether you like hiking more than climbing, what kind of weather you prefer to be active in, and how much cardiovascular effort you are willing to put into the sport. Once you have answered many of those questions, you will have an easier time deciding which type of climbing will work best for you.

In addition, as a beginner, it may be a good idea to consider hiring a mountain guide. Mountain guides are professionals who are adept climbers and skiers who can help lead you up a mountain safely. They know the terrain and can help you with what you need to know and what you need to do in order to get to the summit safely in some of your early climbs. As a beginner, spending time with a mountain guide is a great way to learn the basics of mountaineering before you try doing it on your own on a mountain you don't really know. As a general rule with most anything, learning with a professional is the best and safest way to get your start. If your guide is certified, it means that he or she has done a number of trainings and has literally thousands of hours worth of personal experience climbing. Even if you are not a beginner, but you wish to advance a mountain that is beyond your skill set, a guide will be able to assist you with that climb.

For many a person globally, mountain climbing has become a complete lifestyle. For some, it becomes almost a complete obsession. However, for many, mountaineering makes a wonderful little distraction from the mundane nine to five living and routine family life. It fills the same gap that golf might for many others. In addition, pursuing mastery of various aspects of climbing is a challenge that can last you the rest of your life and keep you in good physical condition. Many find that as they master one aspect of climbing, they immediately find themselves obsessed with the next phase. You just may find that one day you are that obsessed mastering climber, but the only way to find out is to get out there and get started right away

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