Hot answers tagged mountaineering
11
The key advantage of a geodesic design is the pole configuration can support a greater static load. This means they are favoured for mountaineering expeditions because they can withstand a heavy snow fall (compared with a tunnel design that would sag with the weight of the snow between each pole).
Tunnel tents are preferred for polar expeditions as they ...
10
Personally you don't need to go for any of the name-brands, unless that is important to you.
Some things to look for:
Comfort. Wear them for several minutes. Yes, the salesman is trying to wrap up this sale in under 2 minutes so he can get more commission. You will likely be wearing the shades for hours on end, so keep them on for at least a couple ...
10
There are two interpretations of 'Mountaineering' depending on the context in which you use the word:
Mountaineering is any activity in a mountainous environment. It includes rock climbing, ice climbing, hiking, orienteering, skiing, and 'mountaineering' in its own right (see below)...
Mountaineering as a specific activity is usually used to include ...
10
If you have some credible people saying not to be roped up, I'd love to see it, because that sounds completely insane to me. Here's why:
If you are traveling on a glacier without being roped up, there is a very, very, very good chance that you will die if you fall in a crevasse. This isn't because you vanish into nowhere, but because you will get what we ...
7
With your hand on top of the head of the axe and holding it down by your side, the spike should come down to about your ankle. This will feel quite short, but when walking on steep ground (which you should be when taking an axe!), holding the axe in your uphill hand it will be a very useful length. Shorter is also lighter...
Ideally try and borrow one and ...
7
Your best bet is to try and position yourself face down, with your feet at the bottom, and then arc your body to put as much pressure on the hands, feet and knees as you can. As pointed out below though if you have crampons then don't ever dig those into the surface at all - you'll only injure yourself! If that's the case, just use your hands and knees.
...
6
Either option is acceptable, particularly since you aren't going very high. There are rare instances where people get Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or worse even at relatively low altitudes, and these are more common when there is no acclimatization. However, it is very rare for such problems to suddenly arise and not be fixable (through rapid descent). Each ...
6
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has a definition of Mountaineering right here: http://www.mcofs.org.uk/mountaineering.asp
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC, link: http://www.thebmc.co.uk/) has a great wealth of articles about the topic, which I can only recommend.
Typically "Mountaineering" involves the use of technical equipment in order to ...
6
General fitness is the only technique you can employ without going to higher altitudes.
Acclimatization is the most common technique. Altitude sickness occurs at 2,400 m, so you go to a base camp (for example Cuzco if you're doing the Incan trail, or the South/North Base camps for Everest) and you let your body adjust to the altitude over a few days ...
6
Here are few shelters that I think have good design. Although some of them are missing hole for cold air to drop in, they are still good for shelter from a storm as quick solution.
5
I don't have any specifics on carbon fibre, but from indoorclimbing.com:
Fiberglass and polycarbonate composite (which would include carbon fibre) climbing helmets absorb the
shock energy by breaking. The outer shell of the composite helmet
absorbs the energy. Plastic and nylon helmets transfer the shock to
the inner cradle harness. Helmets made ...
5
It isn't necessary to always take a helmet. The main protection helmets provide is from things falling on you from above (protection from you falling and hitting your head is secondary).
When you go scrambling, before you start, make an assessment of how likely you are to encounter falling objects;
Are there loose rocks/soil/vegetation on the pitch.
Is ...
4
According the the UIAA: International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation
After 8850 feet a rate of 1250 feet per day above the previous days sleeping altitude is a generally appropriate rate of ascent.
Usually after 2700m, not to climb more than 400m from the previous night’s sleeping altitude would be a reasonable recommendation. Climbing high ...
4
Buy a hiking map once there, they should be available in bookshops and tourist offices. The map shows marked trails which are walkable without the need for special equipment. The paths can be rocky, slippery and steep in places though.
For example on Moskenesoya there are trails from Fredvang to romantic secluded beaches and a trail from Moskenes to the ...
4
One possibility is the trek to Gosaikund - also known as the "Frozen Lakes". It can be done in six days walking. However, I'm not sure I would call it easy- the first day, especially, will be very strenuous. However, it's a very pretty trek, and the first two days are very rewarding. Another advantage is that it's relatively close to Kathmandu, which means ...
4
You cannot book most huts in advance. You simply arrive and get a place to sleep. If you're late then you will have to sleep on the floor. Places are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. I speak from (limited) experience.
I haven't slept in huts much, but I've visited quite often, and most are quite basic. There are some modern huts that can be ...
4
The most obvious thing is an emergency blanket. It will add a lot of extra insulation per gram. It'a good to have one in you bag on any trip.
However, a mere blanket is definitely not enough for all seasons, elevations and weather conditions. When planning at home, you should ask yourself a question: "What will happen to me if I have to be on the route ...
3
It's tempting to opt for softer more flexible boots (for the comfort), but these will wear out quicker and become less waterproof.
The Scarpa "Manta" boots are a good place to start - they're extremely sturdy and I think they'll last you a good number of years. I've heard good things about the Sportiva brand too.
Mountain boots come up on eBay all the time ...
3
I would recommend an American Alpine Institute mountaineering course.
For a mountain like Elbrus, you are probably most interested in their 3-Day Glacier Skills and Crevasse Rescue course, but the Alpinism Intro and Baker Skills and Climbs might also be appropriate.
AAI guides are top-notch, and although I have not personally taken this course a friend of ...
3
You're right it's very rare to see anyone wearing a helmet whilst scrambling in the UK, that doesn't mean it's not a good idea though! As with a lot of safety equipment, it comes down to personal risk perception.
One thing worth bearing in mind is how busy the route is. The popular routes in the UK will often have a lot of inexperienced scramblers on them, ...
3
These letters stand for Basic and Technical
The real differences are:
B's are lighter, relatively cheap and not recommended for technical climbing. They are considered general mountaineering axes.
T axes are heavier and much stronger. They will cope with technical climbs and be much more durable.
Aside from that, they look similar and the same styles ...
3
Identifying peaks using a topo map may be difficult, because you need to reconstruct the 3D landscape in your head and decide which mountains are hidden behind others.
So you can fly to the top of your mountain in Google Earth and adjust the tilt to see the panoramic view. This way you get a view, which is very similar to what you'll see in person. Than (or ...
2
Personally I would - unless perhaps you definitely know that for the particular area and route you're taking the risk is minimal. Just because others may not be as cautious doesn't necessarily make it ok!
Yes, there are practical disadvantages with carrying the thing and having to wear it, but it only takes one loose rock to strike you on the head to ...
2
This is sourced from REI's How To Choose An Ice Axe.
As Chris mentioned, the axe should barely touch the ground when standing upright and with arms at the side. A rough guide to ice axe length is:
<5'8" (<1.72m): 50-60cm
5'8"-6'0" (1.72-1.8m): 60-70cm
>6'0" (>1.8m): 60-70cm
Too short is generally better than too long.
As AA Grapsas commented, it ...
2
Some people prefer to have one long enough to use as a short walking stick. Others prefer to save weight and go as short as possible. In any case, it should be long enough so that you can use it properly to self-arrest. Everything else is optional.
You could rent a couple of ice axes of different sizes, go out to a steep snowy slope, and practice ...
2
Since a high quality polycarbonate helmet is now so light, affordable and durable; the added cost and limited weight benefit of carbon fiber seems to be of limited use for all but the most weight conscious or sponsored mountaineers. Plastic fails in a much more human friendly manner without sharp edges of carbon and hard resin that it's generally superior ...
2
The boots remain stiff, but the liner inside and the footbed all adjust to your feet. You can definitely get away with not breaking them in, but if you're going to be wearing them for a prolonged period of time the first time you use them you might consider breaking them in a bit or bringing along some second-skin in case you encounter hot spots.
2
I would consider "Rock Climbing" as something in the Class 5 definition of the YDS grading system.
Wikipedia definition
Class 4 and 6 might also be considered "rock climbing" but I've been climbing for nearly 2 decades, and I would say class 5 = rock climbing.
2
Mountaineering refers to ascending a natural feature, although it doesn't necessarily imply summitting, nor must it be rock, as the same can be applied to the ascension of glaciers.
Mountaineering has a subset of various skills which include climbing, skiing, hiking and scrambling. You can hike, ski, climb and boulder without mountaineering.
2
I have heard that RMI (one of the places you listed) is great as well as Alpine Assents, but neither are very formal in the guide education area. Try taking a look at National Outdoor Leadership School. They have a pretty well setup program and work with some schools to get you credit (if you need it) They are pretty thorough and offer a 17 day course and a ...
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