Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Have you ever wondered, what is mountaineering? Not sure how to avoid altitude sickness or how to melt snow on a mountain? You’re not alone, and Eddie Bauer’s Alpine Guides Melissa Arnot Reid and Seth Waterfall are here to share facts with you and answers the internet’s most frequently asked questions about mountaineering.
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Subscribe: youtube.com/EddieBauerNW?sub_confirmation=1
Learn More about Melissa Arnot Reid, Eddie Bauer Apline Climbing Guide: eddiebauer.com/campaign/guides/Melissa-Arnot-Reid
Learn More about Seth Waterfall, Eddie Bauer Alpine Climbing Guide: eddiebauer.com/campaign/guides/Seth-Waterfall
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Mountaineering & Related Resources
Melissa Arnot Reid’s Record Breaking Summit of Everest in 2013: youtube.com/watch?v=iKovBe12kaI
Seth Waterfall’s Tips to Staying Safe in The Mountains: youtube.com/watch?v=EeQcq51ieBc
More Facts & FAQs about Mountaineering, including on Everest, K2 and more: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB7L-tBYrHrAMorsqKytvecAXePbZhRlC
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In 25 minutes, get the answers for the internet’s most frequently asked questions about mountaineering answered by two Professional Alpine Guides who have hundreds of summits under their collective belts. The questions answered in this video include:
1. What is mountaineering?
a. It is the art and science of how to climb and navigate large mountains. A key differentiator between hiking and mountaineering is when you use mountaineering specific tools and gear such as crampon spikes, ice axes and ropes to navigate the terrain.
2. How do you train for mountaineering?
a. It is recommended to try your best to mimic the activity so for mountaineering that means walking uphill either in your neighborhood, on a stair climber at your gym or on hikes at a park while wearing additional weight like a filled backpack or weighted vest. It is important to take training step by step and work on understanding your comfort levels before you start your next expedition.
3. How should mountaineering boots fit?
a. The fit of your boots depends on the level of comfort they provide and the amount of flexibility they offer for your feet and ankles to move freely. You’ll be spending a lot of time in them so having some adjustability and room for layering socks is also important.
4. What’s the difference between mountaineering boots and hiking boots?
a. A lot of hiking boots can be used for mountaineering but key indicators for a mountaineering specific boot are parts of the sole that allow crampons to snap in place as well as the higher level of stiffness and warmth needed for colder climates.
5. How are mountaineering climbs ranked?
a. While mountaineering includes a wide variety of climbing activities there is a grading system. In North America we use the Alpine numerical grading system paired with further grading on the hardest individual moves of the climb.
6. What food to take mountaineering?
a. Highly recommended you bring foods you are used to and like eating but make sure they are high in nutrients. Also recommended to bring a variety so you’re not stuck eating the same meal over and over.
7. How do you poo mountaineering?
a. Same way as you do at home but it is important to follow the “Leave No Trace” guidelines so bring proper carry out bags.
8. How dangerous is mountaineering?
a. It depends on the climb but it’s important to take note of the objective dangers such as weather conditions or rock falls and subjective dangers which depend on your own skills and abilities on your climb.
9. How to prevent altitude sickness mountaineering?
a. This happens physiologically so anyone can get altitude sickness but it is recommended to ascend slowly and to keep the changes in sleeping elevation below 3k ft. per night as well as take rest days to allow your body to adapt.
10. How many liters of water a day for high altitude mountaineering?
a. At minimum 2L while moving during the day but it’s important to replace what you put out through perspiration and respiration.
11. What is the death zone in mountaineering?
a. Any elevation above 26k ft. because our bodies physiologically cannot survive at that height without supplemental oxygen.
Other Questions Answered:
1. How to attach crampons to a mountaineering pack?
2. What to wear for mountaineering?
3. What types of ropes are used for mountaineering?
4. How to stay clean mountaineering?
5. How to set a pace mountaineering?
6. Why are glacier sunglasses needed for high altitude mountaineering?
7. How does hydration keep you warm when mountaineering?
8. What terrain to use an axe while mountaineering?
9. How to properly melt ice when mountaineering?
10. What is self arrest when mountaineering?
11. How many lumen headlamp for mountaineering?
12. How old is too old for mountaineering?
Have you ever wondered, what is mountaineering? Not sure how to avoid altitude sickness or how to melt snow on a mountain? You’re not alone, and Eddie Bauer’s Alpine Guides Melissa Arnot Reid and Seth Waterfall are here to share facts with you and answers the internet’s most frequently asked questions about mountaineering.
****************************
Subscribe: youtube.com/EddieBauerNW?sub_confirmation=1
Learn More about Melissa Arnot Reid, Eddie Bauer Apline Climbing Guide: eddiebauer.com/campaign/guides/Melissa-Arnot-Reid
Learn More about Seth Waterfall, Eddie Bauer Alpine Climbing Guide: eddiebauer.com/campaign/guides/Seth-Waterfall
****************************
Mountaineering & Related Resources
Melissa Arnot Reid’s Record Breaking Summit of Everest in 2013: youtube.com/watch?v=iKovBe12kaI
Seth Waterfall’s Tips to Staying Safe in The Mountains: youtube.com/watch?v=EeQcq51ieBc
More Facts & FAQs about Mountaineering, including on Everest, K2 and more: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB7L-tBYrHrAMorsqKytvecAXePbZhRlC
****************************
In 25 minutes, get the answers for the internet’s most frequently asked questions about mountaineering answered by two Professional Alpine Guides who have hundreds of summits under their collective belts. The questions answered in this video include:
1. What is mountaineering?
a. It is the art and science of how to climb and navigate large mountains. A key differentiator between hiking and mountaineering is when you use mountaineering specific tools and gear such as crampon spikes, ice axes and ropes to navigate the terrain.
2. How do you train for mountaineering?
a. It is recommended to try your best to mimic the activity so for mountaineering that means walking uphill either in your neighborhood, on a stair climber at your gym or on hikes at a park while wearing additional weight like a filled backpack or weighted vest. It is important to take training step by step and work on understanding your comfort levels before you start your next expedition.
3. How should mountaineering boots fit?
a. The fit of your boots depends on the level of comfort they provide and the amount of flexibility they offer for your feet and ankles to move freely. You’ll be spending a lot of time in them so having some adjustability and room for layering socks is also important.
4. What’s the difference between mountaineering boots and hiking boots?
a. A lot of hiking boots can be used for mountaineering but key indicators for a mountaineering specific boot are parts of the sole that allow crampons to snap in place as well as the higher level of stiffness and warmth needed for colder climates.
5. How are mountaineering climbs ranked?
a. While mountaineering includes a wide variety of climbing activities there is a grading system. In North America we use the Alpine numerical grading system paired with further grading on the hardest individual moves of the climb.
6. What food to take mountaineering?
a. Highly recommended you bring foods you are used to and like eating but make sure they are high in nutrients. Also recommended to bring a variety so you’re not stuck eating the same meal over and over.
7. How do you poo mountaineering?
a. Same way as you do at home but it is important to follow the “Leave No Trace” guidelines so bring proper carry out bags.
8. How dangerous is mountaineering?
a. It depends on the climb but it’s important to take note of the objective dangers such as weather conditions or rock falls and subjective dangers which depend on your own skills and abilities on your climb.
9. How to prevent altitude sickness mountaineering?
a. This happens physiologically so anyone can get altitude sickness but it is recommended to ascend slowly and to keep the changes in sleeping elevation below 3k ft. per night as well as take rest days to allow your body to adapt.
10. How many liters of water a day for high altitude mountaineering?
a. At minimum 2L while moving during the day but it’s important to replace what you put out through perspiration and respiration.
11. What is the death zone in mountaineering?
a. Any elevation above 26k ft. because our bodies physiologically cannot survive at that height without supplemental oxygen.
Other Questions Answered:
1. How to attach crampons to a mountaineering pack?
2. What to wear for mountaineering?
3. What types of ropes are used for mountaineering?
4. How to stay clean mountaineering?
5. How to set a pace mountaineering?
6. Why are glacier sunglasses needed for high altitude mountaineering?
7. How does hydration keep you warm when mountaineering?
8. What terrain to use an axe while mountaineering?
9. How to properly melt ice when mountaineering?
10. What is self arrest when mountaineering?
11. How many lumen headlamp for mountaineering?
12. How old is too old for mountaineering?
