Posts filed under 'Mountaineering'
National Geographic Adventure has announced the winners of their photo contest, and there are some good ones in the mix. Great combinations of wild places and great amateur photography. Makes you want to take a month off and go backpacking with your camera gear.
The photo above was taken by Langley Eide of Arrow Glacier Camp on the Western Breach route on Kilimanjaro. An interesting fact about this photo is that it was taken just before the first ascent of this route since a deadly rockfall in 2005. I was lucky enough to have ascended this route just a few weeks before that rockfall and was one of the last people to summit via that route, until this shot. It’s a tough route with alot of loose rock. Beautiful to behold though.
February 18th, 2008
I wish I would have thought of this one myself. The Gear Junkie has posted the 10 Most Dangerous Mountains on his website. I think the list is pretty comprehensive. Although I’m sure that the Trango Towers might argue that they should be on there. But all in all, a great list.
I noticed that Mt Washington in New Hampshire made the list. I climbed Mt Washington several years ago in the summer. Now it is pretty dangerous in the winter, with extreme temps and the highest recorded wind speeds in the US. But in summer it’s just a hike and a scramble for anyone in good physical shape. Hit it up if you can. Then you can say you climbed one of the 10 most dangerous mountains in the world. 
January 28th, 2008
Never. According to a recent article in the New York Times.
At least that’s what Dr. John Castellani says. He’s an exercise physiologist and expert on environmental medicine. “The big question was, ‘Is it ever too cold?’” Dr. Castellani said. “The answer is no. People go to the poles, people are out there when it’s minus-50 degrees, people do incredible things, and safely. There really isn’t a point where you can tell people it is not safe anymore.”
Common Myths…
Bundle Up
Yes, wear enough clothing to keep you warm. Try not to leave too much exposed skin. But don’t overdress. Wearing too much can make you sweat and sweating can keep you wet and eventually cold.
Take Breaks
No way. Keep moving, this will keep you warm. Stopping will only slow your heart rate and make you colder.
It Can Damage Your Lungs
Wrong. By the time air reaches your lungs it is body temperature, says Kenneth W. Rundell, the director of respiratory research and the human physiology laboratory at Marywood University. However, cold air can sometimes be dryer. So if you experience any problems it is most likely due to the dryness of the air, not the coldness.
With all that said. Hypothermia and Frostbite are real. Don’t stay out too long or expose yourself to extreme conditions for long periods of time. But moderate exercise in cold weather is just fine. Well, there goes that excuse. I guess I should get outside and do something…
January 22nd, 2008
Holy Crap!
That’s what I said, out loud, when I saw the story about this on the Backcountry Blog. Apparently a group of climbers decided they’d take the equipment up to the summit of 15,771 foot Mont Blanc on the border of Italy and France. Part of me wants to say… “Dude I’m so jealous.” And another part of me thinks I’d be pissed off if I spent all night and morning working my arse off to get to the summit and these guys were partying when I got there. But you definitely have to give them points for creativity. And judging from the pics over at their site, this was no easy feat. Thinking about the logistics of it is actually a little fun. If you can ignore the fact that they were kinda missing the point of mountaineering.
January 18th, 2008
Well 2008’s first mountaineering “news story” has come and gone. Two climbers on Mt Hood got caught in some weather, dug a snow cave and then headed on the next day. They missed the Timberline Lodge on their descent due to heavy snow and ended up about 1,000 feet below the lodge. They called out on their cell phone and reported that they knew about where they were and were on their way to the lodge. They are back safe and sound.
No radio locators were taken, but they vowed to take them next time. That is always a good idea folks! You never think you’ll need it, but the one time you do you’ll be glad you brought it.
I have never gotten turned around on a mountain and ended up 1,000 feet below where I thought I was….. okay maybe I did just that a few years ago. Yet it didn’t make the news. I guess the Obama-Clinton scuffle wasn’t exciting enough today.
January 15th, 2008
From the Gear Junkie - Eleven-Year-Old Summits Aconcagua
On December 30, Jordan Romero of California became the youngest person to stand atop Aconcagua, a 22,841-foot peak in Argentina that’s the highest in all of the Americas. Jordan, along with his father and stepmother, endured a 9-hour push to the summit, at times trudging through three-foot-deep snow in temps as low as minus-30 Fahrenheit. Remember, this kid is 11. He was BORN in 1996…
This feat brings up a point that has been debated many times. Is this too big of an adventure for such a young person? When is the level of risk too much for a child? And at what age is that level of risk appropriate? What do you think?
Thanks to the Gear Junkie for passing this along.
January 11th, 2008
Sad news today. The first man to scale Everest (along with climbing partner Sherpa Tenzing Norgay) back in 1953 has passed away at the age of 88. His name is synonymous with adventure and he is most likely the most widely known mountaineer of all time. He was a humble beekeeper from New Zealand who never even admitted he was the first man to summit the highest peak in the world until Norgay passed away.
He’ll be greatly missed.
Image from Wikipedia
January 10th, 2008
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