Sometimes climbers/mountaineers will say that they are getting an alpine start.
What does this mean and why would they want to do this?
asked Aug 29, 2017 at 17:25
-
For cavers: anything before about 5pm ;-)– Toby SpeightCommented Sep 1, 2017 at 13:25
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
An alpine start is when one starts a climb really early in the morning (well before sunrise). Usually the goal is to make it to the top and back down before the conditions deteriorate.
Getting too late of a start increases a number of risks including,
- Thunderstorms
- Rockfall
- Weakened snow bridges
- Crampons balling up
Other times its worth getting an alpine start just to see the sunrise from the top of a mountain.
answered Aug 29, 2017 at 17:25
-
1An alpine start is also often done to beat the crowds and maximize hours of daylight during climbing.– shimizuCommented Aug 29, 2017 at 21:27
-
@shimizu I usually do it to minimize hours of daylight on tour: Every more hour increases temperature and radiation from sun, thus softens snow.– imsodinCommented Aug 29, 2017 at 21:48
-
To be clear - Most often you do an Alpine Start its because it is the the end of the day that matters.– user5330Commented Aug 30, 2017 at 23:26
-
@shimizu Plenty crowded climbing up a high mountain in the Alps at 04:00.– gerritCommented Nov 15, 2017 at 12:46