Mountaineering and Hiking Concepts

Overview of Mountaineering

• Definition:

  • Defined by Britannica as a sport aiming to attain high points in mountainous regions for pleasure.

  • Commonly referred to as alpinism in Europe, signifying climbing with difficulty.

• Forms of Climbing:

  • Rock Climbing: Involves slopes and avalanches.

  • Snow and Ice Climbing.

  • Mixed Climbing: Combination of rocky and ice routes.

Mountain Evaluation

• Height vs. Challenge:

  • Mountains are evaluated beyond height; climbs are rated based on challenges faced.

• Yosemite Decimal System (YDS):

  • Rates mountain terrains based on techniques and physical difficulties in climbing.

• National Climbing Classification System:

  • Evaluates climbs in terms of:

  • Length of climb.

  • Number and difficulty of pitches.

  • Average difficulty and overall ascent time.

Trail Class Classification

• International Classification Scale:

  • 1 - Easy walking.

  • 2 - Hiking along paths.

  • 3 - Scrambling.

  • 4 - Climbing easy cliffs (ropes recommended for beginners).

  • 5 - Using hands for climbing.

  • 6 - Very difficult; requires artificial methods for ascent.

Mountaineering in the Philippines

• Pinoy Mountaineer:

  • Provides guidelines to classify mountains and hiking destinations, including:

  • Difficulty scale (1-9).

  • Length of hike and environmental conditions.

• Hiking vs. Trekking:

  • Hiking: Shorter, on man-made trails, often for a day.

  • Trekking: Longer, tougher over varied terrain, takes multiple days.

History of Mountaineering

• Origins:

  • 18th century: Naturalists began exploring the Alps for scientific reasons.

  • Horace-Bénédict de Saussure's challenge to climb Mont Blanc initiated contemporary mountaineering (first summit in 1786).

• Global Reach:

  • Post-1850, climbers began conquering peaks in Europe and beyond.

• Philippine Milestones:

  • The first attempted summit of Mt. Apo was in 1852, and the subsequent successful expedition was in 1880.

Preparations for Hiking and Trekking

• A. Physical Conditioning:

  • Fitness is essential; start with easy trails and progress to intense treks.

  • Pre-conditioning involves exercising 3 times a week leading up to the trek.

• B. Nutrition:

  • Carbo-loading: Increase glycogen before long treks.

  • Consider calorie requirements, manageability of food, and duration of hike:

  • Carbs: 4 calories/g

  • Proteins: 4 calories/g

  • Fats: 9 calories/g

Hydration Needs

• General Requirement:

  • 1 to 2 liters daily increase with temperature and physical demand.

  • Drink before thirst sets in (1/2 to 1 cup every 30-45 minutes).

Trip Planning

• Importance of thorough planning, both for group and individual hikes.

• Research mountains, assess weather, and prepare itineraries.

• Ensure safety by maintaining smaller group sizes to manage risks.

Hiking Essentials

• Backpack:

  • Determines how all essential gear is carried; consider fit and weight management.

• Footwear:

  • Critical to comfort; choose based on terrain and hike intensity.

  • Types include:

  • Hiking Shoes for short trails.

  • Hiking Boots for added support.

  • Backpacking Boots for heavy loads.

• Trekking Poles:

  • Provide support, stability, and can assist in climbing or traversing.

Other Essentials

• First aid kit, hydration packs, trail food (energy-focused).

• Navigation tools: topographic map and compass.

• Extra clothing and rain gear, fire starters, multi-tools, and proper light sources.