Guest lecture: Prof Kerry Mummery, "Why People Climb Mountains?"

Albert Mummery

A Victorian climber known for advocating a new understanding of mountaineering in the mid-1800s.

Scientism

A discourse linking Alpine sports to science, prevalent among climbers in the mid-1800s.

Romanticism

A residual discourse that influenced literature and perceptions of nature and mountaineering.

Athleticism

An emergent discourse that became the dominant paradigm in mountain sports by the end of the 19th century.

My Climbs in the Alps and Caucasus

Albert Mummery's most famous book that reflects his views on mountaineering as 'unmixed play'.

Avalanche on Nanga Parbat

The tragic incident that led to Albert Mummery's death on the ninth highest mountain in the world.

Extreme sports

Activities in mountain sports that emphasize pushing limits and high-risk challenges.

Intrinsic motivation

Behavior driven by internal rewards and personal satisfaction rather than external incentives.

Flow

A state where an individual is fully immersed in an activity, experiencing an optimal balance of ability and challenge.

Free climbing

A climbing method where the climber ascends without protective gear, relying solely on physical ability.

BASE jumping

A type of skydiving where jumpers parachute from fixed objects and can be used by climbers to safely descend from high altitudes.

Mount Athabasca

A mountain that is considered a moderate climb and was summited by one of the speakers in the lecture.