A Day of Climbing

A typical climb starts early in the day. A group of climbers might follow a trail up through pastures and woodlands. Some groups prefer to stay on the trails all the way to the top of the mountain. These groups do not need special equipment; they just need a pair of good lungs and strong legs. But still, good climbers would bring along a pack containing first aid supplies, warm clothing and extra food.

However, there are other groups who eventually leave the path and head up towards something more difficult such as steep rock cliffs and ridges. At first the rock might be easy, Grade I rock, which can be climbed using the feet and the occasional use of the hands. When the cliff becomes steeper, also called a Grade II or III rock, climbers would make use of ropes that they tie around each other so that if one slips, the others can keep him from falling. When the rocks become even steeper and more dangerous, like Grade IV or V rocks, all the climbers stop on the safest spot, while the second climber pays out the rope to the leader who goes on climbing. When the leader is able to reach a safe spot, he signals the others to follow him up one at a time. When there are no safe spots, a climber can make one by pounding on an iron spike, called a piton, into a crack in the rock. On the spike's end, he fastens a steel snap link called a carabiner. . When this is secure, he puts the rope through it so he is less likely to fall. Sometimes there are no cracks on the wall. In instances like this, the climber may drill a hole and put in a special bolt which serves as the piton.

In some cases, the climbers may come to a complete vertical or even an overhanging section of rock which offers no other way around it. This is called a Grade VI and above rock. It is impossible for them to climb it using just their own feet and hands, so the early climbers would have to turn back. But modern climbers may be trained and equipped in the special types of climbing developed in the 20th century, such as artificial tension climbing. In this type of climbing, the leader will make a ladder of pitons. The climbers below would hold him against the top piton while he pounds on the next one above. To make it possible to do this in overhanging sections, stirrups are hooked on the pitons which the leader uses as a short ladder to help prop himself up. After rock faces, climbers may find themselves in some ice and snow. What they do is they cut steps with their ice axes. They take steel frames with 8 to 12 sharp spikes on them, called crampons and strap them to their boots. Using these boots, they can walk up to a 40•° slope without slipping.

At last, they get to the top and look out at the wonderful view. At the top they can see the beauty of miles after miles of unspoiled mountains and they feel elated to be higher than anything else they can see. If the climb was especially difficult, they feel a good deal of pride in having gotten up safely. Also, the members of the group are more bonded together and aware of the close friendships they have with each other after having shared the dangers of the climb. Finally, they are likely to experience a great sense of satisfaction in having done something so completely different from anything that goes on in the busy world below. These are some of the values that make all the trouble in difficulty worth while.

But climbing any mountain is always a risk. Carelessness may lead to a slip or a fall. Rock or snow may collapse suddenly underfoot. Equipment may be faulty, as well as the judgment and skill in using it. Avalanches may come down onto the climbers and the weather is notoriously unpredictable. A decrease in visibility can blot out all landmarks until the way is lost. It can cover rocks with water or deadly ice in a matter of minutes. It can exhaust, freeze and destroy any climber if it gets bad enough. Finally, any kind of sickness can well be fatal because it is often that a person cannot be carried out or rescued. But all this is part of the satisfaction of climbing; knowing they have met all these dangers along the way and have overcome them.

On the way down, the climbers rappel over the steep spots. This is letting oneself down the rope, making the descent very quick. When the climbers reach the foot of the mountain, they grin at each other. They have had another fine day of mountain climbing.