Mountaineering Methodology - Part 1 - The Basics

Book excerpt: Mountaineering Methodology is a textbook intended for beginners and advanced climbers who wish to devote themselves to mountaineering in its various forms, whether rock climbing, artificial climbing walls, ascents in the mountains up rock, snow, and ice, or protected routes (klettersteig, via ferrata). The first section, The Basics, presents all of mountaineering and its individual disciplines, so that the reader can become clear on which discipline and method of mountaineering interests her, and which she would like to focus on. Afterward, climbing movements during rock climbing are discussed so as to make it clear what this most common form of climbing offers, so that the reader may again consider whether this is indeed the field for him. A description of mountaineering terrain follows, so that it is evident right from the beginning in what environments mountaineering is conducted. Then the first more difficult passage follows, which requires actual study: knots. Even if you wish to participate in mountaineering on a purely recreational level, you will be unable to do so without at least a basic knowledge of knots.