There are some adventures that not only fuel your wanderlust but give you a sense of relief and achievement, and that includes Mountaineering. Let you experience a little bit of everything from outdoor skills, hiking, camping, to glacier travelling, mountaineering is a mind-blowing experience that one could possibly have. Believe it or not, there is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than reaching a mountain summit after crossing all the hurdles. The feeling of screaming your name out loud when your heart is pumping real fast, the experience is truly magical.

In simple words, mountaineering is the activity where you climb a mountain or hill with the help of technical equipment. Rowing through the narrow paths and slippery surfaces, this adventure sport is all about navigating through rough and cold terrains. As easy as it sounds, it becomes daunting enough when the temperature is low and the weight on your back is heavy.

But have you ever thought what makes mountaineering so alluring? And what does it take to make it to the top? If you are a backpacker, there will come a time when you’ll be looking at a picturesque summit and all you will want to do is get on the top with all you have! And why not? Who doesn’t want to glare those breath-taking views of nature from the top? But it is not a piece of cake. Unlike any other adventure sport, mountaineering needs a lot of mental and physical stability. You cannot just instantly step out to go for mountaineering unless you have a thorough knowledge of technical equipment, gears, possible risks, survival skills, and more.

So, if mountaineering does sound appealing to you, here are some of the tips that you might want to know to get on the right path:

ORDINARY ESSENTIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE

ENERGY GELS FOR OUTDOOR ENDEAVOUR

Running for new adventures is great but one thing that you should prioritize beforehand is your nutrition needs. All mountaineers know that when they’re in the middle of climbing up the mountain, they’re losing their hydration levels along with glycogen in their muscles. Hence, it becomes difficult to ascend when you are low on energy. Despite being aware of the cold weather conditions, it is not wrong to emphasize on the importance of high-carbs, proper hydration, and optimum levels of glucose in the body when you are up at the mountain for long periods of time. Energy Gels thus come handy keeping your backpack light. They are available in stores or you can buy them online in bulk. You can choose the flavours as well. Also, some of them have salt or caffeine so that you can optimize your energy levels instantly.

DON’T COMPROMISE ON BOOTS

It is good to be certain of what are you going to encounter on your next expedition. Will it be snow, ice, rock, or plain? You don’t know and therefore a good pair of footwear is perhaps the most essential thing that you must not forget. While going for mountaineering adventure, getting a nice pair of boots is what you need to do first. Not only they will help you cross the terrains with confidence, but also assure that the crampons fix just right for an added grip. Keeping your feet warm and dry at such low temperatures, mountaineering boots will take you a long way! Before buying one, you should try at least a few to get the most comfortable fit to save yourself from excruciating pain on the way.

BUY YOUR OWN CRAMPONS AND ICE AXE

No matter if you are going alone or with a group of friends, the Crampons and Ice Axes are the must-have. Perfect for the icy terrains, crampons and ice axes are your reliable and foremost gear to depend upon. Where crampons are the devices which are attached to the boots for extra traction over the slippery surface, ice axes act as a trekking pole whenever you are about to lose balance. Crampons are tough and aluminium-made spikes that cut through the ice for comfortable walking. You can use them with any hiking boots. On the other hand, the ice axe comes with a head and shaft to help gain support. Note that you should learn how to use both safely or else you will drop down the mountainside badly!

NO ROPE, NO CLIMBING

Another important thing that you must learn before going for mountaineering is excellent rope skills. To stay safe whilst climbing or mountaineering, rope skills are all you got. In the beginning, it might take much longer than usual but once you master the art of tying knots, no one can stop you from being the best. Some of the top knots that you must know include Butterfly Knot, Clove Hitch, Mule Knot, Munter Hitch, Prusik Hitch, Slip Knot, Water Knot, and a lot more. Try to hone your rope skills every day to get a hold of it. Also, if you don’t have anyone who can teach you, get some books or watch it on YouTube to get on point. Don’t fall out of practice and utilize every bit of your free time, you never know where you might need it!

ON A CONCLUDING NOTE

So now when you know where to get started, develop your mental and physical ability to be the next mountaineer. If you are curious to know more about the same, there are many more tips and trick that you can master before heading out for your next mountaineering trip. See you on the other side of the mountain, Happy Climbing!