IKsplor

28/06/2026

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/why-your-boots-are-the-most-important-part-of-your-adventure-kit/

Many of us dream of living bigger and going farther. These full-time adventurers share how they made it happen—and the boots that took them there.

25/06/2026

In the Philippines, 9 out of 10 hikers are not there to hike. They are doing it for photo ops for their social media accounts. And the poor mountains has to suffer their footprints and the disturbance they cause.

24/06/2026

How to Choose the Right Hiking Route in the Philippines

The Philippines is full of incredible hiking destinations, from beginner-friendly day hikes to challenging summit climbs. Whether you want a quick nature escape near the city or a full mountain adventure, choosing the right route can make the difference between an enjoyable trek and a miserable one.

# # Start with reliable trail information

Before heading out, gather as much information as you can about the trail. Look for details such as difficulty level, distance, elevation gain, estimated hike time, trail conditions, water sources, and whether the route is open to beginners.

In the Philippines, local hiking pages, mountain blogs, community groups, and experienced hikers can be especially helpful because trail conditions can change quickly due to rain, landslides, or local regulations. Recent trip reports are very useful for checking if a trail is muddy, slippery, or temporarily closed.

# # Ask experienced hikers and locals

If you know friends who hike, ask them for recommendations. Personal advice is often more accurate than a generic trail description, especially for Philippine mountains where weather and trail access can vary a lot.

You can also talk to local guides, barangay officials, or trail associations in the area you plan to visit. They often know the latest conditions and can suggest routes that match your experience level. For more remote mountains, local advice is often the safest way to avoid getting lost or starting a hike that is not suitable for the season.

# # Consider your time

Think carefully about how much time you actually have. Are you looking for a 2- to 4-hour day hike, or do you have the whole day for a longer trek?

This matters because travel time to the jump-off point can be just as important as the hike itself. A trail that looks short on paper may still take most of your day if the starting point is far from the city or requires multiple rides.

# # Be honest about your fitness level

Choose a trail that matches your current fitness, not your ideal fitness. A hike should challenge you a little, but it should still be enjoyable.

If you are a beginner, start with easier trails first. The Philippines has plenty of beginner-friendly mountains, nature trails, and coastal walks that allow you to build stamina before attempting steeper or longer hikes. There is no need to rush into difficult climbs right away.

# # Check distance and pace

Distance alone does not tell the whole story. A 5-kilometer hike on flat ground is very different from a 5-kilometer climb with steep ascents, muddy sections, and slippery rocks.

As a rough guide, hiking pace is often slower than normal walking pace, especially on rough terrain. If you are carrying a backpack, taking photos, or hiking in hot weather, expect the trip to take longer than you first estimate.

# # Pay attention to elevation gain

Elevation gain is one of the biggest factors in how hard a hike feels. A short trail with a steep ascent can be much more exhausting than a longer but gentler route.

If you are new to hiking, start with trails that have moderate elevation gain. As you gain experience, you will learn how much climbing your body can comfortably handle. In general, more ascent means more effort, more breaks, and more time.

# # Think about weather and season

Weather plays a huge role in hiking in the Philippines. Trails can be beautiful in the dry season, but during the rainy months they may become muddy, slippery, or even dangerous.

Always check the forecast before leaving. Some mountain trails are better avoided during heavy rains, and some areas can be foggy, windy, or cold at the summit even when the lowlands are hot. Plan your start time so you are not caught on the trail after dark.

# # Plan the logistics

Some hikes are simple out-and-back routes, while others start and finish in different places. Those routes need more planning because you may need a second vehicle, a hired ride, or a local shuttle.

Also think about where you will meet your group, where to park, whether permits are needed, and whether there are bathroom or food stops along the way. A little planning makes the hike much smoother and safer.

# # Final tips for Filipino hikers

Choose a trail that fits your schedule, fitness, and experience level. Start with easier hikes, learn how your body responds, and gradually move to harder routes.

Most importantly, do not rely only on distance when choosing a trail. In the Philippines, weather, elevation, and trail conditions can change a simple hike into a serious challenge. A smart choice will help you enjoy the scenery, stay safe, and come home wanting to hike again.

24/06/2026

Hiking in the Philippines in the 90's and before has somewhat got the elitist flavor. I had a firsthand experience with these climbing groups where they ignored you on the day you try to join them. Such a shame that it still is the case somehow today..

24/06/2026

Hiking for Beginners

Tip #1
Local groups and pages

Join local Facebook walking and hiking groups that organise regular meets — members post upcoming walks and welcome newcomers.

Use regional walking or outdoor community pages and forums to find scheduled walks and friendly organisers.

Online platforms to find partners

Use Meetup to search for nearby hiking or outdoor groups and RSVP to beginner-friendly events; many groups run regular social hikes.

Look at organised experiences from outdoor retailers and activity platforms for guided hikes, classes, and social events.

Try dedicated “find a hiking buddy” websites and guides that list practical ways to meet hikers (forums, apps, social media posts, outdoor shops).

Practical steps to take this week

Post in one or two local walking or community groups with: date, start time, trail name or general area, estimated duration, pace, and what gear you’ll bring; invite people to message you for details.

Search Meetup (or other local event platforms) for hiking events and RSVP to one or two upcoming walks to meet people on a short, low-risk outing.

Pick a popular local trail from trail apps or guidebooks and make a public plan (time and meeting point) on a social group or neighbourhood forum — well-used routes attract other hikers and are safer for meeting new people.

Safety and etiquette when meeting new hiking partners

For a first meet, pick a daytime, well-used route and share your plan (route, start/finish times) with someone who’s not coming along.

Ask about experience level, pace, and fitness so expectations match; arrange to meet at the trailhead rather than carpooling the first time.

Bring a basic safety kit (phone, map or downloaded route, water, whistle, basic first-aid) and agree on a turn-back time or emergency contact.

Illustration (example message to post)

“Hi — looking for a relaxed 6–8 km coastal/path walk this Saturday morning (9:30). Moderate pace, friendly chat, happy to show route. DM me if interested and I’ll share exact meeting point.” This style works well in local groups and event pages.

17/06/2026

Here's a really rich informative article about mountaineering:

Mountaineering Risk, Safety and Security
Ian Wall
CEO, Kathmandu Environmental Education Project, UK
Corresponding author's email: ian@off thewalltrekking.com
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the underlying mountaineering risks, safety
and security issues found in the traditional activity known as mountaineering. The paper also
highlights some of the commonly known and distinguished terms of mountaineering.
Mountaineering is the art of moving through the mountains using a set of technical
‘mountaineering’ skills. In Europe, it is often called alpinism when done in the Alps, apart
from known as trekking, hiking or even fell walking. It includes traditional outdoor rock
climbing in a mountain setting, multi-day rock climbing, skiing, snow-shoeing, a multi-day
journey in the mountains, whether camping or in lodges. Mountaineering is not necessarily
restricted to the greater mountain ranges as many countries with low altitude mountains have
many citizens that go ‘mountaineering’ inside their borders.
There are no predetermined heights at which a hill becomes a mountain; many geographers
state that a mountain is greater than 300m (1,000 feet) above sea level, but the Oxford English
Dictionary puts the hill limit at 600m asl. Another consideration is the latitude of the ‘hills’.
For example, the hills of Scotland, although the highest being Ben Nevis at 1345m asl, are
considerably further north than the Pyrenees with its highest mountain, Pic Aneto, at 3404m
asl. The arctic winds, the northern European winds and the south-westerly gales are as harsh
as any found in the higher ranges.
Keywords: Art of mountaineering,
risk, safety, security
Introduction
Many people would agree with the
statement that mountains are
inherently dangerous. However, I
would disagree, or add that
mountains are only dangerous
when humans get in the way.
From a safe distance, when the
natural movement of the
mountainous environment occurs,
Fold mountains – HYPERLINK "http://www.Geoengineer.org" www.
Geoengineer.org illustrating the Indian tectonic plate sliding under
the Euroasian plate resulting in the deep surface layer of the Earth’s
crust being scrapped up to form the Himalaya
24 | Wall
people will gaze on in amazement; however, if people or communities are in danger of being
engulfed by the mountainside, then the emotion is often one of fear, panic and empathy for
those in the path of nature. Mountains are formed basically by three different forces of nature.
Fold mountains occur when the movement of the tectonic plates collide, forcing one plate to
buckle under the strain of the collision and consequently forcing the top section of the Earth’s
crust to either be lifted or forced down,
lifting the opposing plate, thus creating
fold mountains. The Himalaya is a good
example with the Earth’s crust initially
staying intact and only folding
Rolwaling - Ian Wall collection - Looking east up the Rolwal
ing Valley and glacier, a valley formed in the folding of the
earth's crust as the Indian tectonic Plate to the south slide un
der the Euroasian Plate to the north
Kilimanjaro - Ian Wall collection - Kilimanjaro, the highest
point on the African Plate and the largest freestanding volcano
in the world
Volcanic mountains form when molten
rock from deep inside the Earth erupts
through the crust and piles upon itself.
Undersea volcanoes formed the islands
of Hawaii, and the islands seen above
the water today are the remaining
volcano tops. Well-known volcanoes on
land include Mount St. Helens in
Washington State and Mount Fuji in
Japan. Kilimanjaro, one of the seven
summits, the highest mountain on each
of the continents is a volcano’
Fault-block mountains form when
stresses within and between the tectonic
plates lead to cracking and faulting of
the Earth's surface, which forces blocks
of rock up and down.
The Sierra Nevada in California and
Nevada, the Tetons in Wyoming, and
the Harz Mountains in Germany are
good examples of this type of formation.
The mountains of Yosemite are also a
good example of Block Mountains with
the mighty granite walls still standing
proudly above the valley.
It takes millions of years for mountains
to form, except volcanic mountains that
can form over a matter of days and
weeks. During the evolution of mountain
ranges, the raising or valleys, the
lowering of the Earth’s crust is subjected
to millions of years of erosion by the
elements. This erosion slowly breaks
the surface of the landscape down into
the jagged shape of mountains that we
Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, Vol. 3, ISSN: 2717-5030 (Print) 2738-9642 (Online)
Mountain... | 25
Block mountains and rift valley: HYPERLINK "http://
www.Geoengineer.org" www.Geoengineer.org
These formations are created when the Earth’s crust ei
ther drops or is raised between two parallel fault lines.
are more familiar with today.
Yosemite Valley - Yosemite National Park Collection HY
PERLINK "https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm/images"
https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm/images Illustrating
how a ‘block’ in the Earth’s crust had dropped between
two fault lines creating a vertically sided valley.
Mountaineering activities occur in the regions of the Earth’s surface (crust) that is subjected
to movement. So it should not come as any surprise that any activity in these mountain ranges
will be susceptible to further movement of the Earth’s crust thus creating a scenario of
potential risk which requires skills in mountaineering safety and security to enable
mountaineers to make a safe passage through them.
Impact of mountains on habitats and geopolitics
Mountains often serve as geographic features that define the natural borders of countries.
Their heights can influence weather patterns, stalling storms that roll off the oceans and
squeezing water from the clouds. The other side is often much drier; the rain-shadow formed
by the Himalaya of northern Nepal causes the Tibetan Plateau to remain relatively free from
precipitation. The rugged landscapes even provide refuge, and protection, for fleeing and
invading armies, the European Alps in World War-II.
Mountaineering, risk, safety and security
If we look back into the history of mountaineering, it can easily be seen that humans have
always perceived that there was a risk associated with the mountains. From the earliest of
times, the sound of avalanches, roaring winds, echoing thunder and lightning all built up
images of possible devils, demons and deities living in the high mountains and those theories
were backed up by traders who tried crossing high European alpine passes only to witness the
anger of the demons; goats and ibex falling from high cliffs reportedly at the hands of those
living in these high places who had been upset by ‘visitors’. There were tales of misadventure,
of getting lost and witnessing unexplained images, possibly broken-specters and of winds
roaring like dragons down from the glaciated peaks. Fear and the concept of risk are significant
safety factors, and for mortal man, these emotions keep most people safe.
The first people who exhibited the most adventurous awareness of mountaineering risk,
Boot nails and boot nail pattern - American Alpine Club collection
HYPERLINK "https://americanalpineclub.org/library-blog/2017/12/18/the-evolution-of-mountaineering-boots"
https://americanalpineclub.org/library-blog/2017/12/18/the-evolution-of-mountaineering-boots Boots were 'nailed'
with diff erent varieties / designs of 'nails' depending on the types of conditions expected to be encountered, in gen
eral there were diff erent patterns for snow and ice as opposed to rock.
26 | Wall
safety and security were the early crystal hunters; they developed a ‘mountain awareness’
and as Guides became the first piece of ‘essential equipment’ used mainly by the British
alpinist leading up to the Golden Age of Mountaineering (1854 – 1865) (Engel, 1950).
Although rudimentary long-shafted alpine stocks, clinker nailed boots and rather unsafe
h**p ropes were used there were little technical skills as to how these could be employed
other than for pulling on or pushing on to surmount difficulties. Victorian mountaineers
developed different nail patterns using various nail designs for their boots, depending on the
sort of terrain they would likely encounter during their mountaineering exploits.
During the Golden Age of Mountaineering, the understanding and perception of risk were
vastly different from today. The safety rules
of the day were not to fall off and to be able
to climb down anything you climbed up!
The use of rudimentary equipment did not
allow the level of security that we insist on
today. However, the early explorers and
mountaineers realized that by taking a guide,
a rope, an alpine-stock and wearing boots
they could considerably reduce the risks of
the activities that they undertook (Engel,
1950).
Artist impression of the fi rst ascent of the Matterhorn,
Gustave Dore /Wikimedia - HYPERLINK "https://www.
wikiwand.com/en/First_ascent_of_the_Matterhorn"
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/First_ascent_of_the_Mat
terhorn
In 1865 on the descent from the first ascent
of the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper and
team, there was a fatal accident in which
Douglas, Hudson, Hadow and Croz were
killed. As a result of that accident, Whymper
came under not only close scrutiny but also
a public outcry for assumed acts of self
preservation; he was accused of cutting the
rope between himself and those who fell to
their deaths. This has been disproved as the
ends of the rope frayed, they would have
been clean cut marks should a knife have
been used (Whymper, 1871).
Although there had been other deaths in the
Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, Vol. 3, ISSN: 2717-5030 (Print) 2738-9642 (Online)
Mountain... | 27
mountains before this incident Whymper had a complete novice, Hadow, on his team and
part of the scrutiny was related as to whether this person actually understood the risks he was
taking and whether Whymper should have actually allowed him to go with the team on the
trip that was, at the time, to a mountain that had a ’last great problem of the Alps’ label
attached to it (Bennet, 1922, 1950).
This episode in mountaineering history, although many decades before the modern approach
to risk analysis in the mountains existed, was certainly a foretaste of what was to come over
a century later.
Once the major alpine peaks had been climbed, many ambitious alpinists turned their attention
to more distant and often loftier ranges, such as the Caucasus, the Andes, the Rockies and,
latterly, the Himalaya. Those prominent alpinists and their European guides of the period
included Christian Almer, Melchior Anderegg, Hermann Von Barth, Alexander Burgener,
W. A. B. Coolidge, Henri Cordier, Clinton Thomas Dent, James Eccles, D. W. Freshfield,
Pierre Gaspard, Paul Grohmann, Paul Güssfeldt, John Oakley Maund, Thomas Middlemore,
A. W. Moore, Albert F. Mummery, Julius Payer and William Penhall (Mason, 1987)
Those with a heightened sense of adventure, fortitude and a passion for exploration ventured
further afield and into the Himalaya not only taking their guides with them but also their
developing technical skill base.
In Victorian times there was a definite ladder of experience required to ‘enable’ a potential
alpinist to gain progression within the mountaineering world. Initially many aspiring
mountaineers gained experience in the mountain regions of the UK; North Wales and
Scotland and in particular in winter conditions. This was regarded as good and essential skill
training for a safer expedition to the Alps and in turn for the Himalaya (Hansen, July 1995).
By the 1900s there were mountaineers venturing into the Indian Himalaya and the lessons
they learned and subsequently wrote up in their expedition reports were the foundations for
future Himalaya expeditions. Using these expedition reports to gain additional knowledge
and thus minimize the risk and adding an additional level of safety to their expeditions a new
generation of mountaineers ventured forth with the confidence in the knowledge gained from
previous expeditions. Along with this literary support, equipment was also being developed
as was the mental approach to mountaineering. Today there is a proliferation of guide-books,
maps and the internet all providing an added level of safety for the modern mountaineer.
The early Himalayan expeditions, especially those mounted by the Germans on Nanga Parbat
and the British on Everest were masterminded by people who had survived trench warfare in
the 1914-18 world war. They had faced death in the most inhumane of circumstances that to
a certain extent numbed their view of ‘sacrifice’ for the greater cause, thus getting to the
summit was a matter of national pride and never mind the cost. Little, at that time, was
understood about altitude sickness and mountaineers simply fort their way through it or died
in the process but in the knowledge that they had the best and most advanced equipment at
the time.
The European mountain guides were certainly considered as the key factor in reducing risks
on mountaineering trips, possibly right up to the turn of the 1900s. But, then World War-I put
an end to many European relationships, guides and their British clients more often than not
finding themselves in opposing armies, the comradery of the rope was broken (Forbes, 1900).
28 | Wall
Mountain ranges often dictate national borders. As a result of the World War-II 1939- 1945
a rapid advancement in equipment design and mountaineering techniques was made to
basically provide armies, especially the ‘special forces’ with the equipment and skills to fight
and move over hostile mountainous terrain and rocky sea-cliffs, this in turn increased the
development of new materials, nylon rope, alloy karabiners, nylon material, silk base layer
clothing, down jackets, the design of
tents, Vibram soled boots, all were
eventually incorporated into the
development of mountaineering
equipment. These developments allowed
technical mountaineering skills to be
pushed to the limit, the Italians were
developing artificial climbing and the use
of pitons, etriers (short rope ladders) and
the mechanics of the use of the rope,
endurance improved and mountaineers
were prepared to go further, go higher
and to push the risks to, and beyond, the
levels of safety so far experienced in the
mountains (National Army Museum,
n.d.).
Evans & Bourdillon back at Camp VIII after ascent of the
south summit of Everest HYPERLINK "https://www.rgsprint
store.com /products/evans-and-bourdillon-back-at-camp-vi
ii-on-the-south-col-after-ascent-of-south-summit-of-everest"
https://www.rgsprintstore.com /products/evans-and-bour
dillon-back-at-camp-viii-on-the-south-col-after-ascent-of
south-summit-of-everest
The Outward Bound (OB) international
network of outdoor education
organizations was founded in the United
Kingdom by Lawrence Holt and Kurt
Hahn in 1941. Initially, in America, its
aim was to help shape the U.S. Peace
Corps but’ in the UK, it was to develop outdoor adventure programs and to foster the personal
growth and social skills of participants by using challenging expeditions in the outdoors.
These expeditions were generally conducted in the mountain regions. In 1950 Plas-y-Brenin
was founded in the UK as a major training establishment for developing mountaineering
skills (King, 2006).
With the development of these ‘outdoor training centers’ more people were taking on the
responsibility of ‘leading’ groups
in the mountains and in some cases
into unrealized danger. At the
beginning of this new ‘educational’
era, there were many very
experienced mountaineers with no
qualifications, then as colleges and
universities introduced training
courses, the balance changed to
one where there were many
qualified outdoor instructors with
little experience. Over the next
twenty years, the balance was
Early wrought iron 10-point crampons designed by Oscar Ecken
stein: HYPERLINK "http://www.1stdibs.com" www.1stdibs.com/ -equipment-memorabilia/vintage-mountaineering-crampons-de
sign-oscar-eckenstein/id-f_14310651/
Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, Vol. 3, ISSN: 2717-5030 (Print) 2738-9642 (Online)
Mountain... | 29
restored.
Up to 1950, risk, safety and security in the mountains had basically been a ‘test of moral
fiber’, mountaineers were empowered by the new and the best of equipment for their era, they
had knowledge gained from previous expeditions and from maybe their service in national
armies and they felt at the peak of physical and mental fitness.
The summits were at hand!
In 1950, the French ventured into the unknown extremes of 8000m asl and survived basically
using a supplementary oxygen system tried, tested and modified from the Mallory era on
Everest and the development of down clothing and other equipment as a result of world war
two. Nailed boots had been surpassed by highly insulated boots and an early design of
10-point crampons. This oxygen system had been originally tested in the mountains of
Snowdonia, in Wales, UK (Norton, 1925).
The 1950- 1960s was the golden age of Himalayan climbing, all the 8000m asl peaks had
been climbed, reports written, equipment failures had been rectified, new designs were
produced, and confidences were inspired. More was understood of the science of mountains
and mountaineering, snow conditions were scientifically investigated, and a lot of research
was done on human physiology and the effects of altitude on the human body (Mason, 1987).
Mountaineering risks were being reduced and the awareness of safety and security were
increasing. In the drive to do steeper and harder ascents mountaineers were taking equipment
design into their own hands and many subsequently established retail outlets.
Petzel, Ergo Ice Tool Cassin Alpinist Crampons DMM Mithril harness
Illustrations from the brand on-line catalogue
DMM wire torque nuts, Wild Country Technical Friends, Sportiva Olympic Mon high altitude boots, Mountain Hard
wear Ravi Everest Down Suit, A selection of mountain dome tents Illustrations from the brand on-line catalogues
The basic design changes that have come into the market over the last three decades have
greatly increased the safety and security margins of mountaineers as well as reducing the risk
factors. This applies to other mountain-based sports as well.
30 | Wall
However, another issue was surfacing in the Himalayan climbing especially in Nepal- a lack
of trained human resources. The mountain people of Nepal, specifically the Sherpa
community, took the place of the Victorian Age Mountain Guides of Europe although they
were not mountain guides; they certainly knew the valleys and many possible approach
routes. It is a well-known fact that all the formative expeditions would not have succeeded if
it were not for the mountain workers but being equipped with all the new technology,
equipment and mountaineering skills and techniques foreign mountaineers were taking on
more challenging and riskier routes. To raise the safety margins of the Nepalese mountain
workers and to enable expedition members to continue to use them to support foreign
expeditions a greater level of training was required. One of the first people to recognize this
was Aleš Kunaver in the early 1970s and he embarked on a massive, state-supported project
(Slovenia was still part of Yugoslavia in 1970) and built the first mountaineering training
school in Manang in the Annapurna range in 1979 (Slovenian Climbing Portal, 2020).
IFMGA badge - The Union Internationale des
Associations de Guides de Montagnes is the
International Federation of Mountain Guides
Associations, known alternatively by its French,
German and English abbreviations: in Nepal
the NNMGA HYPERLINK "http://www.FMGA.
com" www.FMGA.com
The profession of a mountain guide was by now
well established in Europe and other mountainous
regions of the world but the guides all operated at
different standards and with different skill sets,
meaning that there was no ‘guiding’ standard
regarding safety and security, not only for the
guides but also for their clients.
In the UK, there was an increased interest in using
the outdoors for developing life-skills for school
children. However, in 1971 a fatal situation occurred
in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland, now
known as the Cairngorm Plateau Disaster. This
occurred in November 1971 when six
fifteen-year-old school students and their two
leaders were on a navigational expedition in a
remote area, the weather deteriorated and the group
adopted their emergency plan and headed for a
mountain shelter, but they failed to reach it and
became stranded for two nights on the high plateau
in a blizzard. Five children and the leader's assistant died of exposure. A sixth student and the
group's leader survived the ordeal with severe hypothermia and frostbite. The tragedy is
regarded as Britain's worst mountaineering accident (UK Parliament, 1972).
A ‘fatal accident’ inquiry led to formal requirements being placed on leaders for school
expeditions and a national training program was devised and made compulsory for all leaders
who wanted to take groups into the UK mountains (UK Parliament, 1972).
In 1973, the Nepal Mountaineering Association was formed with the goal of, among other
activities, to provide safety awareness and mountaineering skills to Nepali mountaineers.
The International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), was founded in
1965 by guides from Austria, France, Switzerland and Italy. The aim of the Association is to:
• regulate the mountain guide profession at a global scale;
• represent the interests of the mountain guiding profession to governments;
Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, Vol. 3, ISSN: 2717-5030 (Print) 2738-9642 (Online)
Mountain... | 31
• support standardized laws and regulations for the mountain guide profession;
• determine mandatory international training standards;
• implement reciprocal acceptance of IFMGA qualification;
• support free professional activity for mountain guides;
• support existing national mountain guides associations and develop new ones; and
• provide services and assistance for mountain guides (IFMGA administration, 2018).
With the development of training and
qualification schemes in mountaineering
and the concern that trained leaders and
guides would be held responsible for
the safety of their charges the areas of
safety and security are continually
being redefined to provide legal
protection for both the ‘client’ and the
‘guide’ (IFMGA administration, 2018).
Over the last two or three decades the
development in technical equipment
has surpassed such development of the
last century, not only has the equipment
developed but so have the skills required
to use it, including rescue techniques.
All this new and technical equipment is
not only backed up by a myriad of
training programs on how to use it but
there are also many technical manuals
and of course the internet giving advice.
In 1990 the first commercial expeditions
took place on Everest and slowly over
the years the number of people
Modern mountaineer modern equipment - Nirmal Purja Magar
collection HYPERLINK "http://www.Nimsdai.com"
www.Nimsdai.com
attempting the mountain has increased dramatically. These people have access to all the
modern technology, they are supported by well trained and qualified guides and leaders but
what many don’t necessarily have is on the ground experience that will enable them to meet
risk, safety and security situations intuitively (Crockett, 2020).
The development of modern mountaineering equipment provides many inexperienced
mountaineers with a false sense of security, basic steps in safety protocol are ignored and the
presumed level of risk is disproportional with the actual risk that may be encountered during
the intended activity. There is no guarantee that with all the latest and most up to date
equipment that a mountaineer today will be any safer than Whymper in 1865 if the practitioner
does not have experience of physically challenging situations and using the appropriate
equipment correctly under pressure. Training is key to success. Today not only can the
extreme mountaineer use the latest equipment but he/she can have a personal diet plan, a
training plan and even in low countries there are now high-altitude training chambers meaning
a mountaineer can reduce the time he or she spends passing through dangerous environments.
32 | Wall
In January 2021, the world witnessed an historic event in mountaineering that has eluded
many top mountaineers for two and a half decades, reaching the summit of K2 in winter, the
last of the 8000m asl peaks to have such an ascent.
This was achieved with a well-organized plan, a very fit, well trained and unified team of
Nepali mountaineers. They had the latest equipment, a determined spirit, they worked as a
team plus they also had an extraordinary amount of good luck by having a perfect weather
window.
This paper has now virtually joined the loop with the issue that was probably first recognized
by the public back in 1865 with Whymper and the accident on the Matterhorn.
There is a real risk of going into the mountains with inexperienced people. What are the
safety and security issues that should be considered?
Conclusion
In terms of mountaineering activities risk can be identified in three ways:
Objective risk– these are risks that are inherent in mountaineering, rock fall, avalanches,
lightning strikes, earthquakes etc. Although mountaineers are not capable of controlling such
events it is possible through thorough training and experience to learn to minimize some of
the risks in certain situations. The development of the appropriate skills is paramount to
being a good safe mountaineer both in understanding the potential risk and recognizing the
conditions that could result in such natural events (with the exception of earthquakes) and
then the skill in being able to deal with the fallout from such events. For example, recognizing
the snow conditions and a mountain side that might be a potential avalanche risk and then
being trained and aware of how to use an avalanche transceiver and what to do if caught in
an avalanche.
Subjective risk – risks that a mountaineer has direct control over, human-caused incidents.
To follow the line of the example given above. A mountaineer goes into an area where they
fully recognize that there is a high risk of an avalanche, but the individual is prepared to take
that risk, as opposed to finding a different route.
Legal risk – this sector is a newly encountered risk where professional guides and leaders are
taken to court with a legal issue pending against them. This could be as a result of a ski guide
taking a client ‘off-piste’ when the client falls and breaks a leg as a result of not listening to
the guide or as the result of the client’s technical ability not being as high as maybe they
claimed. The risk is that the client might sue the guide for negligence.
Risk vs comfort zones
Mortlock C. 1984. Four
stages of adventure
Everybody has a level of acceptable risk and this places them in a
specific comfort zone, these zones vary from person to person and
usually depends on the level of experience an individual has in
certain adventure situations.
1.
2.
Play zone – there is no technical challenge and the client is
happy with the risks they are faced with.
Adventure zone – the client is moving towards their skill
limit but is still just within their risk acceptability area.
Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, Vol. 3, ISSN: 2717-5030 (Print) 2738-9642 (Online)
Mountain... | 33
3.
4.
Frontier adventure – the client is now on the verge of being out of control and at the
limit of their skill set.
Misadventure – the client is completely outside their skill set and beyond their level
of acceptable risk
Risks never stay static, for example, what essentially begins as a low-risk activity can quickly
change into a high-risk situation as a result of unforeseen circumstances. For example,
trekking below a glacial lake on a nice sunny day when all of a sudden, the dam bursts.
On the other hand, a guide or leader who does not fully understand their client’s expectations
runs ‘the risk’ of having a dissatisfied client. Although it might not result in any injury it
could damage the guide’s or leader’s reputation and work prospects.
The leader’s/ guide’s ability to quickly and decisively complete a risk assessment is critical
to the safety of the party.
10
5
Safety
0
5
Assessment of RISK – what are the chances of something happening during this specifi c activity – for example
crossing a bridge on a scale of 1 : 10?
Assessing the safety situation of a group is a skill that comes out of performing a good risk
assessment. For example, if the risk facing a group appears to be accepted by the group then
the guide or leader should still put a safety plan in place, just in case. For example, a group
has to do a river crossing; all clients are within their comfort zone A. However, there is
always the ‘what if’ question. Safety measures should be put in place just in case; all rucksack
straps should be released in case the situation develops into one where the rucksack has to be
shed, a small rescue team should be placed downstream ready to collect any items of
equipment or even a client that floats downstream, cameras should be stored correctly ‘just in
case’. Obviously, there are degrees of safety measures that can/ can’t be put in place and
these impacts on the risk. If there is a big waterfall downstream from the assumed safe
crossing point and if there are not the staff to provide a back-up rescue plan, then the risk goes
into the zone of too dangerous B.
Security
Security also comes out of a good risk assessment. This is the skill that after identifying a
potential risk the guide or leader puts in place a system to ‘secure’ a client ‘just in case’. For
34 | Wall
example, if a client is walking along the edge of a crevasse it might not be possible to have a
back-up rescue team below the client, ‘just in case’, so to secure the client the guide or leader
might attach a rope just to provide additional security for the client.
A lot has been documented in the Journals of the Himalayan Database covering the deaths on
Everest and the circumstances surrounding the events. Mark Horrell (September 2020)
considered the executive summary of an investigation into the recent history of fatalities on
Everest. He concluded:
Overcrowding does not have a signifi cant eff ect on either success or death
rate?
This is perhaps the most surprising finding from this study, and a strong argument against
much of the media rage about Everest expeditions, which has focused on overcrowding more
recently.
Are photographs of climbers queuing on the Hillary Step evidence that
Everest is becoming more dangerous?
It’s certainly true that spending an additional hour or two in queuing traffic over 8,000m
increases the risk of altitude sickness and frostbite. It’s therefore reasonable to assume that
crowding like this, increases death rates and lowers success rates.
However, the data suggest that it doesn’t?
In 2019, 65.9% of all summit bids were made in just two days, 22 and 23 May. Neither the
probability of summiting (92.4% on these two days vs. 90.5% on less crowded days) nor the
probability of dying (1% on these two days vs. 1.2% on less crowded days) was significantly
different.
It was a similar story in 2018. In that year, 58.2% of all summit bids were made on four days,
16–19 May. In this case the probability of summiting was slightly less on these four more
crowded days (91.1% vs. 95.3% on less crowded days) but not significantly so. In 2018 there
were no deaths during summit bids on either crowded or uncrowded days.
This may seem counter-intuitive, but what this tells us is that although Everest is becoming
more crowded, it is not yet so crowded that climbing Everest is becoming more dangerous. If
you think about it another way, there’s a reason everybody climbs on these more crowded
days – because the weather is much better, and the mountain is consequently safer (Horrell,
September, 2020 ).
The critical point
On Everest, weather still poses a much greater risk than people, and as long as operators are
able to manage the risk, such as by taking more oxygen and preparing climbers for a longer
day, then it’s still better to climb during more crowded days than during marginal weather
windows.
Taking more oxygen will also require an increase in human sources (cost), an increase in
oxygen (cost), an increase in technical guides to manage exhausted and possibly stressed
clients (cost) and possibly additional training at altitude pre-Everest for clients (cost). The
questions are, are the Everest operators prepared to take the risk to operate as they are now,
Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, Vol. 3, ISSN: 2717-5030 (Print) 2738-9642 (Online)
Mountain... | 35
with possible consequences of additional deaths, are they prepared to take the risk of
increasing client support at the cost of losing clients due to expeditions becoming more
expensive and are clients prepared to pay the extra for a less risky option?
Whenever I do a risk assessment, I always add a postscript – What would I tell a board of
inquiry if something happened!
Recommendation
• Develop a good risk assessment strategy, base it on practical personal experience
developed over years not months.
• If leading a group of inexperienced clients never works to your limitations, if
something happens you always need to think the problem through without having to
worry about your own safety and security.
• If you are working with more experienced people and you are all at your limitations,
accept the risk that you might have to sort your own situation out without the support
of others if something goes wrong.
• Do not cut safety margins for the sake of profit.
• If you are getting paid to do the guiding or leading, remember one of the clients’
expectations is to be looked after and that is your responsibility that is what you are
getting paid for.
• Do not over-extend your limitations but rather extend your limitations with
appropriate skill-based training.
• It should also be part of your risk management skills to develop a good working
knowledge of the most important downloadable smartphone applications that are
relevant to the mountaineering sector in which you operate.
• Continual Professional Development (CPD) will become increasingly important and
so it is important to keep a record of all training programs that you attend to prove
you are up to date with all the new methods and skills required to be a safe guide and
leader.
•
References
Bennet, C. S. (1922, 1950). ‘The Golden Age of Mountaineering: 1850-1870’. Alpine Club Archives.
Crockett, Z. (Feb, 2020). how-mount-everest-became-a-multimillion-dollar-business/. Retrieved from
https://thehustle.co/how-mount-everest-became-a-multimillion-dollar-business/
Engel, C. E. (1950). A History of Mountaineering in the Alps. George Allen & Unwin.
Forbes, J. (1900). Travels through the Alps. Londen: Black.
Gitau. J. (2007). Bachelor of Education Geography & Economics, Geography and History. Kenyatta
University
Hansen, P. H. (July, 1995). ‘Albert Smith, the Alpine Club, and the Invention of Mountaineering in
Mid-Victorian Britain’. The Journal of British Studies, Vol. 34 3, The University of Chicago
Press: Victorian Subjects

Growing crowds have turned the world’s tallest mountain into a valuable commercial asset. But where’s all the money going?