Glacier Mountaineering
How about climbing rivers, for a change? Enormous frozen rivers, or glaciers, that is. If you’re up for Glacier Mountaineering, read on.
Before anything else, having the right equipment is basic to climbing. Trekking on ice and climbing on ice walls require special equipment distinct from those used in rock climbing.
Be sure to be warmed enough by your clothing; the cold can be unforgiving. The neck area and the backbone generate much of your body heat so be watchful in keeping those areas warm. The head and the hands are next in generating the most amount of body heat so mind that these body parts are kept warm. Wool and polypropylene, among other materials, are good insulators that preserve body heat. So basic clothing list for Glacier Mountaineering will include the following:
- wool shirt and/or light sweater
- rain jacket
- hat
- light gloves
- bandana or scarf
- ice axe
- trekking poles
- crampons
Like in conventional mountaineering, planning your route well is very important in Glacier Mountaineering. Not only does good planning allow for a more enjoyable trip in backcountry, it also prevents inconveniences like travelling in a roundabout routes or worse, getting lost. To get lost in sub-zero terrain can be fatal.
The outdoors, aside from being a wonderful place to explore and have adventures, is also home to wild flora and fauna. In fact, a climb in the mountains can be an intrusion if not handled properly. It is very important to keep the environment you travel in as intact as possible - manage your waste, avoid trampling on plants, and leave no trace behind as much as possible.
These are the dangers you may pose to the wild environment you visit. But it is also necessary to keep in mind that this environment, being wild, can also pose dangers for you and your company. Not least among these dangers are wild animals. Black and grizzly bears and mountain lions are very dangerous. Even deer can turn aggressive and dangerous when surprised or threatened.
Here are some tips on how to walk away unharmed when you encounter wild animals:
- Do not feed wildlife.
- Do not approach animals to take photographs.
When you encounter a bear:
- Do not make any abrupt moves or noises that may startle them. Never approach bears!
- Do not directly meet its eyes. Act as passively as possible, diverting your eyes and head down or to the sides.
- Stay calm. Do not threaten it and do not show your fear.
When you encounter a mountain lion:
- Talk calmly, avert your gaze, stand tall and slowly back away.
- Attempt to appear as large as possible.
- If an attack seems imminent, act aggressively.
A rule of thumb: act passively when you encounter a bear. Act aggressively when you encounter a mountain lion.
With all these precautions in mind, you can look forward to an exhilarating adventure in the glaciers. Glaciers provide yet another venue for people to challenge themselves and transcend limits. Says a 19th century mountaineer, "the thing to be wished for is, not that mountains should become easier, but that men [and women] should become wiser and stronger."
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
Home
Print Article
Email Article
Comment on Article
Write New Article
Search Articles
