High Altitude Climbing - How to Get Started in This Exciting Sport There is something about the battle of man versus mountain that captivates the imagination and has spawned a whole genre of books on the subject. High altitude mountaineering is an exciting way to see the natural world but comes with significant risks. Safely summiting a mountain over 20,000ft requires a lengthy preparation, a large financial commitment, and over two weeks of hard physical and mental toil. Where to start? To start climbing at altitude you need to choose a technically simple mountain. This means heading to Asia or South America. Mountains that are labeled Trekking Peaks are suitable for people with no prior climbing experience. The highest trekking peak is Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Andes, standing at 22,841ft (6962m). Nepal has a variety of trekking peaks with Mera Peak being one of the most popular at 21,247ft (6476m). Organization. With no experience it is important to travel with someone who has a good understanding of the effects of altitude. This means going on a commercial expedition. They arrange the logistical operations including climbing permits, mule or yak transport of equipment to base camp, and expert guiding on the mountain above base camp. The most important thing an organized expedition offers is the close monitoring of team members for signs of Acute Altitude Sickness. This condition results from the bodys inability to deal with the decrease in air pressure experienced at altitude. It leads to impaired cognitive function, followed by loss of consciousness, and potentially death. Each season, novice climbers suffer Acute Altitude Sickness due to a lack of understanding of the condition. The easy nature of the terrain on trekking peaks make people climb higher than their bodies can handle. The warning signs are subtle and it takes a trained eye to pick up on them early enough to take the simple remedial action of descending. Summiting a 20,000ft mountain is the adventure of a lifetime and the commitment and endurance it requires gives a massive sense of accomplishment. It is possible to live the adventure with no prior experience but to remain safe you must be guided by a team of people committed to safety. Getting back down is more important than making the summit. The starting point of any trip to the greater ranges is research. Climbing at Altitude offers more information on the best mountains for the novice climber.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 02:13:36 +0000
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