Page 1 of 2

Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:36 pm
by LifeIsGood
Are you really climbing?

The word 'climbing' is used very casually on this forum- often used for 'walking uphill,' but it is supposed to mean technical climbing, using ropes, on rock or ice, or at the very least using both hands.

There are plenty of words that can be used instead, so as not to exaggerate, such as: hill-walking, hiking, scrambling, ascending, etc. (Maybe the term 'hiking' feels inadequate for extremely high elevations.)

In which case, the term 'mountaineering,' (which can sometimes be synonymous) would often be more appropriate, such as the presence of snow or glaciers while walking uphill.

I'm guessing Bill uses the term in the route descriptions so the general public will view these as more serious than average hiking.

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:42 pm
by osprey
You are a climber if you have conquered the mountain.

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:16 pm
by greenonion
Oooh my goodness... :shock:

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:16 pm
by Alpine Guy
Interesting how, once the knees start to go, what used to be a hike starts lookin like a climb. We'll all be mountaineers if we live long enough.

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:32 pm
by Wildernessjane
I promise you, it doesn’t really matter what other people choose to call it. It will in no way diminish your own personal experience. You do you.

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:42 pm
by BillMiddlebrook
LifeIsGood wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 4:36 pm I'm guessing Bill uses the term in the route descriptions so the general public will view these as more serious than average hiking.
Lol. Or, I own a dictionary

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:06 pm
by hotrod
I use the term summit, as in, "I summited Elbert."

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:12 am
by Jorts
Alpine Guy wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:16 pm Interesting how, once the knees start to go, what used to be a hike starts lookin like a climb. We'll all be mountaineers if we live long enough.
Can prob delay that occurrence by laying off the meat.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540319/

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:23 am
by Harrison1991
Jorts wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:12 am
Alpine Guy wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:16 pm Interesting how, once the knees start to go, what used to be a hike starts lookin like a climb. We'll all be mountaineers if we live long enough.
Can prob delay that occurrence by laying off the meat.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5540319/
Or, maybe just keep your weight at a reasonable level, and eat food in moderation. If you’re healthy, consuming red meat is just fine

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:08 am
by LifeIsGood
hotrod wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 9:06 pm "I summited Elbert."
Exactly! I myself have stood atop Elbert three times, but I sure as hell don’t say I ‘climbed’ it, even though once was in calendar winter with crampons on my feet.

If you have just one axe in hand, is it really climbing?

Ascending rock routes rated 5th class or higher is definitely ‘climbing.’ 4th class seems a bit more gray, but is probably still ‘climbing.’ 3rd class, however, is scrambling.

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:22 am
by timisimaginary
this is why i never say i "climbed" a ladder, but people do look at me funny when i tell them i "hiked" the ladder to get to my roof.

Re: Climbing a Peak: What it takes

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:46 am
by LifeIsGood
timisimaginary wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:22 ami "climbed" a ladder
What would be the equivalent rating for a normal ladder?, probably just class 4?

Maintain three points of contact!!!