All you need to know about mountaineering and why you should start it today

Mountaineering is one of the oldest adventure sports in human history as our ancestors crossed one mountain range to another to spread its population conquered continents! Mountain climbers or mountaineers have been hailed as heroes in history, who attempt to conquer tall mountains by climbing to high altitudes. While some people climb mountains to seek adventure, others find spiritual connections associated with it. The main goal is to have a perfect balance of all three according to one’s physical capability, mental strength, and attitude.

Heroes the mountains create The main reason mountaineers go through such a dangerous feat is to feel the success of reaching a summit, completing the trip, and overcoming all sorts of physical and mental challenges that they face during the climb. Every time someone attempts and succeeds in climbing a mountain, it’s a new experience as each mountain is unique and offers a different sense of accomplishment. There are three segments of mountaineering, namely rock climbing, hiking, and snow and ice technique.

Different mountaineers have different skillsets and different experiences in these three categories. The journey is not easy Crevasses, avalanches, and glaciers are some of the adversities besides high altitudes and extreme weather conditions that a mountaineer has to overcome. Starting as early as 1336, mountaineering has evolved from a hobby to a professional sport. Although the length of the trip to high altitudes might vary, mountaineering is different from hiking in the sense that the former is more physically challenging than the latter. Climbers need to be accustomed to all kinds of conditions as mountains have a mixed terrain. Other related abilities like ice climbing, glacier trekking, scrambling, etc depending on what challenges the terrain offers at different points of the trek. In contrast to other intense sports, the sport of mountain climbing can also be taken up as a lifetime activity. Ropes that hold the lives of the mountaineers Mountaineering often requires high-tech equipment especially the mountaineering ropes which hold the lives off the mountaineers in its grip. The mountaineering ropes are specialized and the high technology behind its manufacturing has been achieved by only a few brands in the world. Earlier only a few European companies could manufacture these specialized ropes but now KoroMount by Kohinoor ropes is the only Indian brand who has successfully proven itself according to international standards of mountaineering and letting mountaineers take up challenges in the grip of the ropes safely

Different types of Mountaineering

Mountaineering is mainly of two types- Alpine and Expedition. Alpine mountaineering covers medium-sized mountains, while Expedition mountaineering refers to more enormous mountains. Medium-sized mountains such as the Alps or the Rocky Mountains can be climbed relatively faster than more immense mountains like the Himalayas or the Alaska Range. Therefore, Alpine mountaineers carry lighter luggage and travel faster than Expedition mountaineers who carry heavier loads and travel slowly.

Benefits of Mountaineering

  • Mountaineering has many benefits. It helps in building strong feet and a healthier heart and lungs.
  • Climbing a mountain exerts pressure on all the muscles of the body which in turn creates a faster metabolism.
  • It also helps to lose weight.
  • One of the first requirements for mountain climbing is strong willpower which is only developed with practice. As one moves from summitting one peak to the next, the person is rewarded with mental satisfaction, excitement, and happiness.
  • Facing difficulties along the way and solving them with willpower, strength, and presence of mind is what makes mountain climbing adventurous and rewarding.
  • Mountaineering helps to open up one’s mind as the natural beauty and the scenic view from high altitudes on the mountain provides a positive rest to the brain despite the activity being so tiring and strenuous.
  • It also helps to develop interpersonal relationships as mountaineering is a team activity and doesn’t depend solely on the efforts of one person. During the climb with friends, family, or even strangers, one has to communicate and develop a relationship with the next person which helps them grow their friend circle and become more connected with the outside world.

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