MOUNTAINEERING • Getting started • Is mountaineering for me? • Skills & techniques • Fitness • Food & nutrition • Equipment overview • Gear check list • Joining an expedition • The effects of altitude • Navigation • Safety & first aid • Further reading

MOUNTAINEERING
Is mountaineering for me?

Mountaineering is an adventure sport that attracts people from all walks of life. Some people progress into mountaineering after getting into rock climbing. Others are seeking a more adventurous upgrade to their usual trekking pursuits. Others are looking to challenge the world's most common phobia, the fear of heights, and then there are those people who just get the "calling". Some people believe that you don't choose to climb a mountain, the mountain chooses you, and when it calls you've just got to go. Regardless of what attracts people to the mountains, the fact is that more and more people are being drawn to this fascinating adventure sport.

So, how do you know if mountaineering is for you? Well that's a tough question to answer until you've actually given it a go. You might be surprised to learn that you don't actually need to be a seasoned mountaineer to climb a sizable Himalayan peak. Mountains fall into a variety of categories depending on things like altitude, difficulty of terrain and technical skills required.

Perhaps the best way to find out if mountaineering is for you is to do a recognised Technical Mountaineering Course, also known as a "TMC". A TMC will teach you all the necessary technical skills required to participate in mountaineering in a safe and responsible manner. Our adventure specialists page has a number of highly reputable operators that can provide such training. Other operators also show up in our Google ads throughout the site. These may also be worthy of investigation.

Although advisable, it is not mandatory to have completed a TMC prior to climbing your first Himalayan peak as long as you choose the right peak to start with. Other more technical mountains like Ama Dablam, Lobuche East and all of the 8000 metre peaks DO require technical training and a portfolio of previous climbs prior to an attempt.

 

The ultimate first ascent

Although unlikely to be much of a challenge to the seasoned mountaineer, Mera Peak is considered by many to be the ultimate first Himalayan ascent for the budding novice climber. There are several reasons for this.

At a lofty height of 6471 metres, Mera Peak is the highest and arguably the most famous of Nepal’s eighteen Trekking Peaks. It is also in the Everest region and from it’s slopes unsurpassed views of several of the 8000 metre giants such as Everest, Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Kangchenjunga are clearly visible during your ascent. Another characteristic that makes Mera ideal as a first ascent is that the mountain requires minimal technical climbing experience in order to summit safely. The skills required are usually taught by the team leader/guide upon arrival at base camp. There is usually ample time in your schedule to master these skills before attempting an ascent of the mountain.

Although not technically challenging, Mera Peak offers the novice climber good experience at altitude and a successful summit bid requires exceptional physical fitness and a lot of determination. Although this mountain is no pushover, photos of Mera Peak can often be deceptive, giving the illusion that it is a leisurely stroll given that there are no sheer drops other than at High Camp.

Unfortunately, this often gives novice climbers a false sense of security in creating the illusion that this is a very safe mountain. It needs to be understood from the outset that THERE ARE NO SAFE MOUNTAINS!. All Himalayan mountains are potentially dangerous and there is an element of risk in climbing ALL OF THEM!. Mera Peak is renowned for having deep crevasses and is no stranger to severe storms and whiteouts. Like any mountain, weather can change very quickly and unpredictably. Mountaineering by it's very nature commands a great deal of respect from it's participants, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Visit our Further Reading page for suggested reading material on the subject of mountaineering.

Skills & techniques >