Mountain climbing opens a diverse range of opportunities. The Earth's great peaks are sanctuaries to different kinds of people - those who seek peace and tranquility, those who love and protect nature at its finest, and those who want to test their limits. Almost 70 years since Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norhgay reached the summit of Mount Everest, climbing has been commercialized. Many are continually fascinated not only by the panoramic views but also the actual experience. But before you go on your first hiking activity, learn these five truths about climbing.
The 'Leave No Trace' principle applies anywhere. The famous adage that reads "Take nothing but pictures; leave nothing but footprints; kill nothing but time" is the official creed of mountaineers. More formally, the LNT principle suggests that all visitors of the wilderness must pay equal respect to nature and its local dwellers. It goes beyond packing your trash with you and not picking wild plants or hunting animals.
Mountains know no good weather. There is no such thing as a fine weather when you are in higher altitude. Science tells you that as you go higher towards the stratosphere, there are more chances of rain because of closer contact with the cumulus clouds.
Climbing challenges your cardio and then your endurance. As a beginner, you may notice that you will are constantly out of breath especially on uphill treks and occasional pressure on the lungs. This is normal given that you are under a strenuous activity and higher altitudes mean lower levels of oxygen. However, when you achieve the so-called "second wind", you will find it challenging to sustain your energy on long distance hikes. Therefore, do aerobic exercises such as walking, running, bicycling, and swimming prior to a climbing activity.
Your choice of companion/s can spell disaster, so choose wisely. This can be a tricky ordeal because you would not know a person's attitude until the actual encounter. It is best to trust your gut feel and the person's teamwork reputation when deciding who to climb with.
Climbing is full of glorified sacrifices. With climbing, you will experience all kinds of inconvenience from transport, food, heavy loads, muddy or rocky or technical trails, and hostile weather. Only the strong-willed individuals can find glory in this type of activity. It offers personal and intimate satisfaction that is oftentimes beyond words.
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