Essay On Mountaineering

Set 1:Essay On Mountaineering

Man has been trying to battle with the forces of Nature since the dawn of civilization. The soaring spirit of man has always tried to attain the unattainable. The desire to conquer some of the highest peaks of the Himalayas, the Alps and the Andes has always been there in the breast of man.

The most challenging task of the modern times was to climb the highest peak of the world, Mount Everest. This task was accomplished by Tenzing and Hillary in 1953. The Indian mountaineer Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, in the company of the New Zealander, Edmund Hillary, climbed the summit of Everest (29028 ft). This success brought laurels to India in the field of international mountaineering.

After the conquest of Everest, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling was started. This was an important landmark in the systematic development of mountaineering in India. In this institute, necessary training is given to the aspiring mountaineers for climbing the virgin peaks of the Himalayas. Mountain climbing is full of difficulties. As one climbs up, it becomes difficult to breathe and the mountaineer has to use artificial oxygen. The weather in the higher reaches is unpredictable. There may be sudden storms, there may be strong winds or it might even start snowing.

The call of the Himalayas has become irresistible for many Indians. Mountaineering institutes have been established at Uttar Kashi and Manali also and several mountaineering clubs have come up.

The primary object of mountaineering is to master the forces of Nature. Besides weather in high altitudes, glacial formations, animal and bird life and also the flora and fauna of mountainous regions are subjects of special study by climbers. The city people who lead a cabined, cribbed and confined type of life can have a great communion with the beauty of Nature. The call of the mountains is irresistible.

Set 2: Essay On Mountaineering

Mountains have always been a challenge to the spirit of man and man has always accepted that challenge. The loftier a mountain the greater has been the desire of man to conquer to climb to its highest peak and to enjoy the thrilled victory. Nearly all the mountains of the world have now been conquered by the persistence and preservice of man. Even Mount Everest cannot now claim to be invulnerable having already been scaled several times. Several expeditions were organized to negotiate this highest mountain peak in the world and more of them have been successful.

Life offers a multitudinous variety to temperaments. Some people are fascinated by a dangerous enterprise. Danger to them is the very breath of life and they feed on the delight which they experience in overcoming it. Mountaineering appeals to such men because it makes the heaviest demands upon their courage, perseverance and powers of endurance. That it is a dangerous sport cannot be denied. As one climbs higher and higher the air becomes more and more rarified and therefore breathing becomes more and more difficult. To obviate this some climbers now carry a heavy apparatus from which they can inhale the necessary oxygen.

The climber finds it really hazardous because at any moment he may stumble or slip and go crashing downwards. The unbearable cold at high altitudes is another difficulty which climbers have to face. They are often overtaken by storms and blizzards. It is an ordeal to have to walk through snow in which one sinks to the knees.

The cold is so server that the climbers’ feet, toes and fingers suffer frost bite and become useless. This is a catastrophe. Many lives have been so lost on account of the avalanches. It is, indeed wonderful that many mountain peaks and summits should have been conquered by various climbing expeditions in the face of such a multiplications of dangers and hardships.

Mountain climbing requests special knowledge, skills and equipment. Mountain climbers must be in good physical conditions and have good judgment. Even many skilled climbers have lost their lives trying to conquer challenging peaks. Mountaineers must know how to use maps as where there are trials they must travel through dense woods as they approach a mountain and cross steep slopes and rock slides above the tree line on the mountain.

Near the summit of a high peak, the climber’s may have to scale steep rock faces and plod over snow fields and glaciers filled with crevasses. In dangerous areas, climbers rope themselves together in groups of two, three or more persons. Climbers carry packsacks loaded with first aid kit, food and extra clothing for sudden changes in weather. Some climbers prefer felt or rope sold hoes which do not slip on wet rocks.

In addition, a climber may carry an ice axe to aid, in keeping his balance to cut step in snow and ice and to stop him from falling.

Set 3: Essay On Mountaineering

Mountaineering rock climbing is a dangerous adventure. It has always proved to be a great challenge to the spirit of man. Man has always accepted this challenge with great desire and enthusiasm. Higher the mountain the greater has been the ambition of man to overcome the uppermost peak and enjoy the excited conquest. Almost all the mountains in different parts of the world have now been conquered by the willpower and determination of man.

Even Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, has been mounted several times. Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay from Nepal were the first men to climb Mount Everest. The Chinese have also claimed to climb Mount Everest from the other side. However, their claim has not been accepted by many.

Special expeditions are organized to conquer the heights of the mountains. Most of the climbers have been successful in their expeditions. Many climbers find thrill in facing the dangers. Danger to them is the essence of life and they like the enjoyment, which they experience in overcoming it. Mountaineering becomes their passion as it makes the heaviest demands upon their courage, determination and physical strength.

The intolerable cold at high altitudes is another obstacle that climbers have to face. They are often overtaken by storms and blizzards. At heights, the cold is so server that the climbers’ feet, toes and fingers suffer frostbite. Strong winds and snowstorm loosens huge masses of stone and ice that come crashing down from above and crush the climbers.

Mountain climbing requires special skills, knowledge and equipment. Mountain climbers must be in good metal and physical condition. They must be accurate in making judgments. Before World War II, most climbers wore hobnailed boots. However, today they often wear boots having rubber soles. Mountaineers must know how to use maps, as they may have to travel through dense forests to approach a mountain.

When the mission is more dangerous, climbers rope themselves together in groups of two, three or more. They carry rucksacks loaded with first aid kit, food and extra clothing for sudden changes in
weather. They also carry snow-glasses. A climber may also carry an ice axe to maintain his balance and cut steps in snow and ice. It also helps him from falling.

Mountaineering is very hazardous and risky. As one climbs higher and higher, the air becomes thinner and thinner. Breathing becomes more and more difficult. Climbers carry a heavy device from which they can inhale the required oxygen. However, at any moment, the climber may slip and go crashing downwards. Many lives have been lost because of the slides. Even many skilled climbers have lost their lives trying to conquer challenging peaks.

ALSO READ: