Mountain climbing is a popular sport because it combines the challenge of climbing on rock, snow or ice while navigating in remote and dangerous outdoor environments. The ultimate goal of mountain climbing, also known as mountaineering, is to stand atop the summit of a peak. Mountaineers are rewarded with spectacular views and the right to brag about having reached a high point where few others have stood. Similar to other sports, mountain climbing requires specific gear that enables climbers to complete the task of climbing a mountain.
Footwear
The type of climbing a mountaineer encounters dictates the type of climbing shoes worn. Summiting a peak covered in snow requires the use of mountaineering boots that offer warmth, protection from weather and solid footing. Mountaineering boots are either made of plastic or leather and feature a rubber sole. Depending on the technical difficulty of the terrain, mountaineering boots will have features that allow the use of crampons. For vertical and technical rock ascents, mountaineers use rock climbing shoes that provide a lower profile fit and rubber sole that offers the climber the ability to fit their feet into narrower holds more effectively.
Crampons
Crampons are sharp spikes that attach to mountaineering boots. Used for snow and ice conditions, they provide stable footing for climbers ascending steeper mountain slopes. The spikes of the crampons are rigid and pierce the surface of hard-packed snow and ice, giving a climber a firm foot placement.
Harness
Because mountaineering requires a climber to ascend steep and near vertical slopes, mountain climbers use a harness to secure themselves to a rope and prevent injury should they lose their footing and fall. The harness, sometimes referred to as an alpine harness, fits over bulkier clothing and includes adjustable leg loops. Alpine harnesses are lighter than traditional rock climbing harnesses because they do not offer additional padding around the waist belt or leg loops.
Climbing Rope
Climbing ropes connect mountaineers together for safety. Ropes are used to cross terrain that includes crevasses, or deep cracks in glacier ice, and steep slopes where there is a potential of falling. Although climbing ropes come in many types, sizes and diameters, mountaineers typically choose a rope based on weight and length. A smaller diameter rope that is 50 m in length weighs less than traditional rock climbing ropes and provides enough span for climbers to move independently of each other. Additionally, mountaineers prefer ropes treated with a coating that prevents them from getting wet--known as dry ropes--over ropes that are not treated.
Climbing Hardware
Mountaineers use a variety of technical climbing hardware, such as snow pickets, camming devices and ice screws. Camming devices expand to fit into a rock feature. A snow picket, a long aluminum shaft, is buried vertically in snow and ice screws are twisted into the hard surface of ice. These hardware items are considered anchors and are attached to a climbing rope. An anchor-and-rope system provides a climber protection because they are able to secure themselves to a slope or rock face.
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