Editing Mountaineering (section)

==Terrain and techniques==
[[File:Climbing tools - Mount Shasta Sisson Museum - DSC02839.JPG|thumb|right|Antique climbing tools]]
Mountaineering techniques vary greatly depending on location, season, terrain, and route. Both techniques and hazards vary by terrain, spanning trails, rock, snow, and ice. Mountaineers must possess adequate food, water, information, equipment, stamina, and skill to complete their tasks.<ref name="freedom" />

{{See also|Grade (climbing)}}

===Walk-up terrain===
The term "walk-up" or "trek" is used to describe terrain in which no technical equipment is needed.<ref name="AAC Publications 1989">{{Cite web |url=http://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199006502/Fall-or-Slip-on-Rock-Falling-Rock-Failure-to-Follow-Route-Washington-Mount-Thompson |title=Fall or Slip on Rock, Falling Rock, Failure to Follow Route, Washington, Mount Thompson – Search The American Alpine Journal and Accidents |date=24 September 1989 |website=AAC Publications |access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref> To traverse this terrain, mountaineers [[hiking|hike]] long distances to a base camp or the beginning of rough terrain, either following trails or using navigation techniques to travel cross-country. Hiking may be a strenuous activity, and adequate [[physical fitness]] and familiarity with the wilderness is necessary to complete a hike; it is also a prerequisite of success in all aspects of mountaineering.<ref name="freedom" />

===Rock===
Alpine [[rock climbing]] involves technical skills including the ability to place anchors into the rock to safely ascend a mountain. In some cases, climbers may have to climb multiple [[Pitch (ascent/descent)|pitches]] of rock to reach the top. Typically, for any one pitch, there is a [[belaying|belayer]] who is stationary and creates tension on the rope to catch a climber should he or she fall, and a climber who ascends the rock. The first climber, called the ''leader'', will reach a point on the rock and then build an [[Anchor (climbing)|anchor]], which will secure subsequent climbers. Anchors could be created by using slings around a tree or boulder, or by using protection devices like [[Spring-loaded camming device|cam]]s and [[Nut (climbing)|nut]]s.

Once anchored, the leader will then belay the climber coming up from below. Once the follower reaches the leader, the leader will often transfer all necessary protection devices (known as a rack) to the follower. The follower then becomes the leader and will ascend the next pitch. This process will continue until the climbers either reach the top, or run into different terrain.<ref name="Kublak2014" /><ref name="freedom" />

For extremely vertical rocks, or to overcome certain logistical challenges, climbers may use [[aid climbing]] techniques. This involves the use of equipment, such as ladders, [[Fixed rope|fixed line]]s, and [[Ascender (climbing)|ascender]]s to help the climber push themself up the rock.<ref name="Kublak2014" />

In alpine climbing, it is common for climbers to see routes of mixed terrain. This means climbers may need to move efficiently from climbing glacier, to rock, to ice, back and forth in a number of variations.<ref name="freedom" />

===Snow and ice===
[[File:Ortler Ascent - South Tyrol.jpg|thumb|Mountaineers proceed across snow fields on [[South Tyrol]]; other climbers are visible further up the slopes.]]
Compacted snow conditions allow mountaineers to progress on foot. Frequently [[crampons]] are required to travel efficiently and safely over snow and ice. Crampons attach to the bottom of a mountaineer's boots and provide additional traction on hard snow and ice. For loose snow, crampons are less suitable, and [[snowshoe]]s or [[skis]] may be preferred. Using various techniques from alpine skiing to ascend/descend a mountain is a form of the sport by itself, called [[ski mountaineering]].<ref name="freedom" />

Ascending and descending a steep snow slope safely requires the use of an [[ice axe]] and different footwork techniques that have been developed over the past century, such as the ''French technique'' and ''German technique''. Teams of climbers may choose to attach everyone together with a rope, to form a rope team. The team may then secure themselves by attaching the rope to anchors. These anchors are sometimes unreliable and include snow stakes or pickets, [[Glossary of climbing terms#D|deadman]] devices called [[Snow fluke|flukes]], or buried equipment or rocks. [[Bollard]]s, which are simply carved out of consolidated snow or ice, also sometimes serve as anchors. Alternatively, a roped team may choose not to use anchors; instead, all members of the team will prepare to use their ice axes to self-arrest in the event should a team member fall.<ref name="freedom" />

It is not always wise for climbers to form a rope team, since one falling climber may pull the entire team off the mountain. However, the risks of individual, unprotected travel are often so great that groups have no choice but to form a rope team.<ref name="freedom" />

For example, when traveling over [[glacier]]s, [[crevasse]]s pose a grave danger to a climber who is not roped in. These giant cracks in the ice are not always visible as snow can be blown and freeze over the top to make a [[snowbridge]]. At times snowbridges can be as thin as a few inches and may collapse from people walking over them. Should a climber fall, being protected by a rope greatly reduces the risk of injury or death. The other members of the rope team may proceed with a [[crevasse rescue]] to pull the fallen climber from the crevasse.<ref name="freedom" />

For extremely slippery or steep snow, ice, and mixed rock and ice terrain climbers must use more advanced techniques, called [[ice climbing]] or mixed climbing. Specialized tools such as [[ice screw]]s and [[ice pick]]s help climbers build anchors and move up the ice, as well as traditional rock climbing equipment for anchoring in mixed terrain. Often, mountaineers climbing steep snow or mixed snowy rock terrain will not use a fixed belay. Instead, each climber on the team will climb at the same time while attached to anchors, in groups of two. This allows for safety should the entire team be taken off their feet which also allows for greater speed than the traditional technique of belaying one climber at a time. This technique is known as ''simul-climbing'' or a ''running belay'' and is sometimes also used on ice, however, the risk of dropping frequently displaced ice on the lower team member(s) limits its usefulness on ice. Traditional belays are also used; in this case, this is sometimes necessary due to ice fall hazard, steepness, or other factors.<ref name="freedom" />