Mountaineering: challenges, skills and rewards
Reading passage and comprehension questions
Mountaineering is a challenging and exhilarating outdoor activity that involves climbing up mountains or other steep and rugged terrain. It requires physical and mental strength, endurance, and technical skills to navigate through different kinds of terrain, from rock faces to glaciers and snowfields. Mountaineering can be a solo pursuit, but it is often done as a team activity, with climbers relying on each other for safety and support.
Mountaineering has a rich history, with some of the earliest known climbs dating back to the 18th century. Over time, the sport has evolved, and climbers have pushed the boundaries of what is possible. Today, mountaineering encompasses a range of activities, from peak bagging to high-altitude climbing on the world’s tallest peaks.
One of the most significant challenges of mountaineering is the inherent danger. Climbing on steep and rugged terrain carries the risk of falling, avalanches, rockfall, and other hazards. As a result, climbers must be well-trained and well-equipped, with a keen understanding of the risks involved.
Despite the risks, mountaineering offers a unique sense of achievement and adventure. Climbers often speak of the sense of awe and wonder they experience when standing on top of a mountain, looking out at the world below. Mountaineering can also provide a deep sense of connection with nature, as climbers traverse through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.
In recent years, mountaineering has become more accessible to the general public, with a growing number of guide services and outfitters offering trips and courses for beginners. However, it is important to remember that mountaineering is still a challenging and risky activity, and should only be undertaken with proper training, preparation, and respect for the environment.
Overall, mountaineering is an exciting and rewarding pursuit for those who are willing to put in the effort and take the risks. With proper training and preparation, climbers can experience some of the world’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes, while pushing themselves to their physical and mental limits.
1. What kind of terrain do mountaineers navigate? .
2. What skills do mountaineers require? .
3. Is mountaineering typically done alone or in a group? .
4. What is the most significant challenge of mountaineering? .
5. What do climbers experience when standing on top of a mountain? .
6. Mountaineering should not be undertaken without proper training and what? .
7. What can mountaineering provide in addition to adventure and achievement? .
8. What main physical attribute is required for mountaineering? .
9. What kind of peaks are climbed in mountaineering? .
10. What do climbers rely on each other for during mountaineering? .
BOOST YOUR VOCABULARY! Here’s a glossary of key words from this post:
| Word (Part of Speech) | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mountaineering (noun) | the sport of climbing mountains | She loves mountaineering and climbs every summer. |
| Exhilarating (adjective) | very exciting and making you feel happy | Reaching the summit was an exhilarating moment for him. |
| Rugged (adjective) | rough and uneven, not smooth | They walked across the rugged terrain for hours. |
| Glaciers (noun) | large slow-moving masses of ice on mountains | The route crossed a glacier covered in crevasses. |
| Endurance (noun) | the ability to keep going for a long time | Running builds endurance for long climbs. |
| Avalanches (noun) | large masses of snow sliding down a mountain | Avalanches are a serious danger in winter climbs. |
| Hazards (noun) | things that can be dangerous or cause harm | Rockfall and crevasses are common hazards on the route. |
| Outfitters (noun) | companies that provide gear and guides for trips | We booked a trip with local outfitters for the climb. |
| Inherent (adjective) | a natural part of something, built-in | Risk is an inherent part of extreme sports like climbing. |
| Preparation (noun) | the work you do to get ready for something | Good preparation helps prevent accidents on the mountain. |