Since humans have memory, mountains have always sparked curiosity. What lies beyond the mountain? What is it like to be at the top? These are examples of questions that are part of our imagination, and it was the same in the past.
That’s why I often say that we don’t know exactly when mountaineering was born. There are reports that the first isolated cases of mountaineering occurred in the 1300s and 1400s AD, not for recreational or sporting purposes, but rather for religious or meteorological reasons. Historically, the most notable record was the first ascent of Mont Aiguille (2,085 m) in 1492.
However, contemporary sporting mountaineering was born when, in the mid-16th century, Europeans began to take an interest in mountains and in conquering their peaks. The major boost for sports mountaineering is generally attributed to the conquest of Chamonix by Horace Bénédict de Saussure in 1760.
By the mid-18th century, some mountaineers gathered in the Alps to perform the first climbs and ascents of almost all the region’s peaks. These expeditions were predominantly led by British climbers and accompanied by Swiss or French guides.
After the First World War (1914 to 1918), the British set their sights on Mount Everest, while mountaineers from other countries climbed the great Himalayan peaks. In 1922, George Finch and Geoffrey Bruce made headlines for reaching an unprecedented height of 8,175 meters on Mount Everest, using oxygen equipment for the first time.
I will address the more recent history of mountaineering on another occasion, as I now want to focus on some aspects and specifics of this discipline.
Generally speaking, mountaineering is practiced between 1,000 and 2,500 meters in altitude. Above 2,500 meters, the practice becomes known as “alpinism,” which is still a branch of mountaineering but requires additional knowledge and specialized equipment. The term “alpinism” may be debated, but it is known to derive from the Alps, and it’s not uncommon to hear terms like “Andinism” and “Himalayanism” when referring to the Andes and the Himalayas, respectively.
It’s clear that mountaineering is not just a simple hike, but an ascent with the clear goal of reaching the top of a mountain, using other techniques besides walking if necessary.
Thus, the main differences between mountaineering and the well-known trekking or walking are:
- Mountaineering requires superior physical preparation, as well as the body’s adaptation to altitude, starting from 1,000 meters but becoming mandatory from 2,500 meters onwards;
- Knowledge of navigation due to the lack of signage;
- Knowledge of first aid, as access and rescue can take hours;
- Survival techniques, which can make a difference in certain situations;
- Rope or climbing techniques if necessary;
- Knowledge of how to pack a backpack, food planning, and equally important, knowledge of equipment and clothing.
As we can see, the risks of mountaineering are significant and should not be ignored. In another section, I will discuss each of these important topics to safely reach the top of the mountain.
For now, I want to emphasize that you should never practice mountaineering alone under any circumstances, and you should thoroughly plan your ascent with safety in mind, considering all unforeseen events. It’s important to gain knowledge about mountaineering and the environment in which you’ll be practicing it.
Lastly, I want to add that it is this level of challenge, this unmatched feeling of achievement, the instinct for adventure, and the desire to push limits and connect with bold nature that makes this sport unique.
Years ago, we might have viewed these people as fools, but today we can understand them better. Nowadays, everything seems possible for man, except conquering mother nature.
Remember the risks, but enjoy the view!
Bruno Rodrigues
