Mountain Climbing Articles and Videos
From hiking through skree and scrambles to multi-pitch climbs, Trails.com has advice on just about every aspect of mountaineering. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an expert or a beginner, we can help. If you’re curious about cures for altitude sickness, tying knots, avoiding avalanches, buying essential gear, or even how to volunteer for mountain rescue, Trails.com has the answers. Coupled with advice on gear care in the off-season, we are your information source for everything from base camp to summit.
Because of varying altitudes and mountain formations, weather conditions in the Rocky Mountains can suddenly become extremely dangerous. Whether you are visiting in the spring, summer, fall or winter, it is always important to understand and pr...
Climbers and skiers traveling in avalanche terrain carry specialized rescue equipment that helps locate avalanche victims quickly. Each member of the party takes along three necessary items: a beacon, a probe and a shovel. Newer safety devices, l...
The Swiss Seat and Studebaker Wrap are both improvised seat harnesses tied from webbing or rope. Due to the added security and comfort provided, and the ability to take a front or rear clip-in, the Studebaker Wrap is worth the extra few minutes n...
The invention of modern climbing harnesses in the late 1960s changed the way climbers tied into the rope for ascending and descending. Before climbing harnesses, climbers tied directly into the rope with a bowline on a coil, or made simple harnes...
Alpine mountaineering exposes you to the hazards of steep mountain slopes covered in snow and ice. These hazards aren't random--they result from a mix of well-understood circumstances. Most successful backcountry travelers see them as a set of ri...
Crampons are devices that attach to the bottom of a shoe to gain more traction in snow and icy conditions. Crampons are used in a variety of sports such as ice climbing, winter hiking and mountaineering.
Rappelling is the act of using ropes to make your way down the faces of steep rock formations. Done correctly, rappelling can be a very quick and safe way of getting from the top of a rock to the ground. Rappelling also can be extremely unsafe if...
Mountain climbing is a tough but rewarding sport. You have to be in excellent condition and have plenty of training to successfully scale some of the more challenging mountain peaks on the planet. Depending on your level of skill and fitness, som...
Making a homemade climbing harness out of webbing yields a low-cost alternative to an expensive commercial version. The thin webbing used in making this style of harness cuts into your leg and waist during falls and long hangs, so don't expect it...
Mountaineering is an excellent way to combine a love for the outdoors with a more technical skill set. Imagine the thrill of climbing mountain peaks thousands of feet above sea level and seeing the world from the top. Getting to the top, however,...
The OR Expedition Gaiters are designed for strenuous mountaineering conditions and epic ice climbing adventures. At only 12.1 ounces for the pair, they add extra protection over your boots and pants without a lot of extra weight. Constructed of w...
Mountain Equipment Co-op is a Canadian company that sells mountaineering and outdoor equipment. It has locations in most major Canadian cities and is a mainstay of the Canadian climbing scene. The company has been in operation since 1971.
Rappelling is a method of descending from the top of a climb (or building) by sliding down a rope. There are many methods of rappelling, and the technique has evolved over time with new equipment developments.
The Thermarest Prolite 4 sleeping pad is a self-inflating, open-cell pad designed for the most extreme conditions. When deflated, it rolls up in its stuff sack to approximately 11" x 5" and weighs only 1 lb 10 oz. As a true four-season sleeping p...
The Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Jacket is a 650-fill down coat without a hood. Complete with stuff sack for easy transport, this down jacket is breathable, water-resistant and wind-resistant. It has a drawcord at the hem to keep the jacket tight t...
Mountain Hardwear's Compressor PL jacket combines a PrimaLoft Eco fill with a Lunar Ripstop AXF (a proprietary nylon weave) lining. The lining has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that enhances its ability to repel water and block wind. The...
Rappelling is the act of using a device such as a figure 8 or ATC to safely and quickly slide down a rope. Rappelling is commonly associated with mountaineering and rock climbing, and is an essential skill for climbers to master. But it is also c...
On certain climbs, particularly Himalayan climbs and big wall climbs (cliffs that require multiple days to ascend), climbers will ascend a fixed rope instead of ascend the snow or rock, for both speed and convenience. Sometimes, climbers will get...
The LaSportiva Spantik Boot weighs in at just over five pounds per pair and is a double plastic mountaineering boot designed to withstand sub-zero temperatures. Complete with a Vibram sole, the Spantik features the Fast Lacing System using only a...
Though ice axes for mountaineering are relatively simple tools, they can be used for many things. There are also several ice axe designs, so choosing the right one naturally corresponds to what you will use it for and your height. When looking to...
Crampons are essentially metal spikes on a frame that may be completely rigid or semi-flexible. The most common crampon configuration has 12 spikes or points, 10 of them facing down, spaced around the foot, and two pointed forward. You either str...
The Asolo Atlantis GTX women's hiking boot weighs in at just more than 1 lb. for the pair (larger sizes will weigh more). The boot provides not only superior traction with the Matrix rubber sole but the addition of a waterproof Gore-Tex lining. D...
Rappelling or abseiling is the action of lowering from a structure or natural feature with a rope, generally using a device to create friction to slow the process. Different rappelling techniques have been developed as technology has improved fri...
If you're interested in serious mountain climbing, your second priority (behind getting in great shape) must be obtaining proper equipment and gear. While state-of-the-art mountaineering gear is not always necessary, you must be sure your gear me...
