Mountain climbing is a great adventure with many people having it top of their bucket list. The experience is both scary and fascinating, particularly for first-time climbers. In truth, even experienced climbers suffer goosebumps at the thought of scaling a mountain. The allure of mountains has fuelled a novel adventure in the form of mountain tourism to places such as Mount Everest. Mountains have different terrains, and no mountain shares similar features with another. It is therefore important for climbers to take great care as they plan their way up. In this article, read some basic safety tips for your mountain climbing adventures.
Attain Physical and Mental Fitness
Mountain climbing is a strenuous activity, physically and mentally. Before planning to do the actual climbing, it is advisable to attain fitness to ensure your body and mind copes with the hardy demands of mountain climbing. Push your body to higher stress limits in preparation for the exertions of the mountain.
Properly Acclimatise
Mountains pose difficult challenges to the body in terms of oxygen availability at the higher altitudes. The thin oxygen levels may be fatal to climbers if no measures are taken to acclimatise. Acclimatisation entails climbing the mountain gradually to give the body a chance to adjust with changing altitude. For the night, camping at a lower altitude point is advisable. It is also essential to keep an eye on shifting weather patterns. Climbing during heavy rains or thunderstorms is dangerous.
Pack up All the Necessary Stuff
Mountain climbing requires a set of equipment such as the right shoes and clothing. The shoes need to have a good grip of the ground to prevent slip-ups on steep slopes and slippery paths. Mountains can be very chilly, and it is advisable to carry the right clothes for all types of weather. Don’t forget to pack sufficient water to keep the body hydrated at all times. Remember to pack some common drugs such as painkillers and antihistamines.