Alpine
Climbing or
Mountaineering
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Alpine climbing or mountaineering is any mountain climb that
requires more technical skills than hiking. The sport
originated in the French and Swiss Alps. The technical
climbing skills needed in alpine climbing include: rock,
snowy slopes and glaciers. Alpine climbing can be dangerous
because of the unpredictable hazards the climber may
encounter, such as, rock falls, lightning and other bad
weather, altitude sickness and fatigue.
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Backpacking
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A hike lasting at least one overnight on which the hiker
carries all the equipment, clothes and food needed.
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Bouldering
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Bouldering is climbing without ropes very close to the
ground, where falls are very short and usually
inconsequential. Boulderers practice very difficult moves on
small outcrops or boulders, often trying many times before
succeeding on a given boulder problem. Some use bouldering as
practice for bigger climbs; others pursue it exclusively as a
rewarding sport in its own right.
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Expedition
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A long trek to a specific destination. On an expedition the
quantity of equipment and food needed exceeds the ability of
the expedition members to carry all the gear at one time. The
trip is broken into segments. The expedition members carry as
much gear as possible across one segment, then return to the
start of the segment to portage more equipment. The process
continues until all the gear is moved across the segment. The
process is repeated for each segment.
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Hiking
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A leisurely walk lasting one day or less.
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Rock Climbing
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Rock climbs that are protected primarily with the gear that
climbers place and remove themselves are traditional climbs.
Traditional climbing is how the sport has been practiced for
decades, and it's still what most climbers do most of the
time, although many now also practice sport climbing (see
below). Confusingly, some traditional climbs may have an
occasional fixed piton or bolt, and they often have fixed
anchors for belays or rappels. However, traditional climbers
are always prepared to arrange most of their own
protection.
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Tea House Trekking
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Teahouse Trekking is a trek on which the trekker stays in
private lodges along an established route. The trekker may
have his own porters, but the trekker does not have control
over what is cooked, who cooks it and when. Many lodges are
filled with world travelers. Many lodges are attractive and
well run. The main advantage of teahouse trekking is that it
is less expensive. The main disadvantages are the lack of
flexibility and difficulties with privacy and hygiene.
Teahouse trekking and full trekking are quite different
styles and will appeal to different people.
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Trekking
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Webster defines a trek as a slow or arduous journey. To
trekker's it is a long, multi day trip undertaken by a group
of people usually lead by a guide. All the equipment and food
required is carried with the group. The group may contain
professional porters and cooks. The group camps in tents each
night.
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