Saturday, October 16, 2010

Basic Knowledge of Mountain Hiking


Mountain climbing like other adventure activities are a heavy sports activity. Activities that require excellent climber fitness condition. The difference with other sports, mountain climbing done in the middle of the wild outdoors, an environment that is actually not a human habitation, let alone a child of the city.

Good climbers are aware of the dangers that will confront in their activities which is termed the dangers of objective and subjective danger. Objective danger is the danger that comes from the properties of nature itself. For example, the mountains have a cooler air temperature plus the freezing wind, the rain without shelter, steepness of the surface which can cause people to slip at once at risk of falling rocks, and the pitch-dark night. The nature of the hazard can not be altered humans.

However, novice climbers often climb the mountain as a recreation consider ordinary. Moreover, to the mountains popular and "easy" climb, such as Gede, Pangrango or Salak. As a result, they neglect the physical preparation and climbing equipment. Not infrequently in between their bodies coated with only a T-shirt with the stock or water biscuits perfunctory.

Although can not be changed, in fact climber to reduce its negative impacts. For example, by bringing warm clothes and a thick jacket to protect themselves from cold air. Bring tents to protect themselves from the rain when camping, bring a flashlight, and so forth.

While the dangers of subjective self comes from the man himself, that is how ready he is to climb the mountain. Is he healthy enough, strong enough, adequate knowledge of the compass on the map (because there are no traffic signs on the mountain), and so forth.

As an illustration, the National SAR Agency records that from January 1998 up to April 2001, there were 47 victims of mountain climbing in Indonesia, which consists of 10 deaths, 8 people missing, 29 people survived, two people were seriously injured and one person lightly wounded, of all recorded ascent (National SAR Agency, 2001)

Other data, from 1969 to 2001, Mount Gede and Pangrango in West Java have been eating as many as 34 people dead. Furthermore, from 4000 that tried to climb Mount Everest as the tallest mountain peaks in the world, only 400 people who managed to reach the summit and about 100 people died. The average accident that occurred on the climb below 8000 m have been recorded as much as 25% in each period of ascent.

Both dangers can be greatly reduced with the preparation. General preparation that must be held before a climber begins to climb the mountain, among others:

1. Bring a map navigation tool climbing location, map, altimeter [somewhere gauge height above sea level], or compass. For that, a climber should know how to read maps and do the orientation. Never climb when the group does not have an experienced and knowledgeable climb the depth of the navigation.

2. Make sure the condition of the body healthy and strong. Exercise such as running or swimming on a regular basis before the climb.

3. Bring the appropriate climbing equipment. For example, waterproof jacket or poncho, separate clothes for the camp that always must be dry with travel clothes, sneakers or boots (do not bersendal), flashlights and batteries to taste, tents, sleeping bags, mattresses.

4. Calculate the long journey to suit the needs of logistics. How many have to carry rice, fuel, side dishes, and plates and glasses. Bring a water container which must always be filled during the trip.

5. Bring medical equipment, such as iodine, bandages, and medications specifically for people with certain diseases.

6. Do not be ashamed to learn and discuss with a group of nature lovers who are now scattered in secondary schools or universities.

7. Measure the ability of self. If not able to go on, do not hesitate to return home.


Indeed, mountain climbing has elements of adventure. Adventure is as a form of thought which began with a feeling of uncertainty about the trip and always end up feeling dissatisfied because of the success of the trip. Feelings that arise when an adventure is the fear of physical or psychological danger. Without fear, there is no adventures because there is no challenge too.

Risk of high mountain climbing, do not hinder the climber to keep continuing the ascent, because Zuckerma stated that the mountaineers have a tendency to sensation seeking [manhunt sensation] high. The sensation seekers consider and accept the risk as the value or price of something that is obtained from the sensation or experience itself. Experiences that are enjoyable or less enjoyable form of self-esteem [pride / confidence].

These experiences resulted in feelings of individuals about themselves, both positive feelings and negative feelings. Travel ascent made by the climber producing experience, that experience of success and successful mountain climbing, or failed to climb the mountain. The success of which is a factor supporting high and low self-esteem, is part of the experience of the climbers in the mountaineering.

The phenomenon that occurs is whether to climb the mountain to the climber is a sensation seeking to enhance their self-esteem? Furthermore, sensation seeking for mountain climbers may have a relationship with self-esteem these climbers. Because of the experience suffered by the climbers in the climbing can be a success or failure.

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