South Mountain Pass

Archive for the ‘mountain high’ Category

Any person who willingly engages in an activity where the ground you stand on could disappear beneath your feet, where the earth around you could bury you alive or where the weather alone could blow you right off a mountain, well. Mountain Climbers are just insane. They engage in one of the most extreme, most dangerous nature sports in the world. And they do it willingly!

There are such extreme dangers in mountain climbing. The top three are things falling on you, yourself falling and bad weather. Things that may fall on you include rocks, ice and snow (avalanches).

◦ Rocks could come loose on mountains at any moment. Furrows on the slopes and conspicuous collections of rock and debris in patches are good signs to look for.

◦ Areas prone to falling ice are overhanging cornices (molding below a ceiling) that you find on the peaks of narrow ridges.

◦ Broken sections of glaciers, called seracs, are potentially dangerous. Ice sections could fall during, and after, the hottest part of the day.

◦ Hanging glaciers on steep slopes will periodically drop ice. Ice piles in patches are excellent indicators.

◦ Be weary of large icicles that form on steep rock faces. They could break loose at any moment, especially after inclement weather.

◦ Before all of that, however, you are advised to remember that a falling climber is a very real danger. Even just his gear coming your way could knock you loose.

Either way, stay sharp at all times. It may not be the mountain that takes you down.

Tons and tons of snow, ice and debris streaking down a mountainside as an avalanche is most terrifying. If you find yourself caught in one, survival is slim, at best. Hundreds of people die every year in avalanches. Many of them were athletically skilled individuals, even skilled climbers. Many of them were caught out in the open snow.

It isn’t very easy to turn back from a snow crossing once you’ve begun. So much time will be lost. When in doubt, don’t do it and save your life. A large percentage of avalanche fatalities were expert skiers with avalanche training. Think on that for a bit. Sometimes knowing is not enough to save you. Oftentimes, it is the knowing that makes a person unnecessarily reckless.

Alpine (high mountain) climbers are advised to always carry an avalanche beacon, a probe and a shovel to help in your own rescue should you, or your party, become trapped in an avalanche.

Just as there are many ways that an object may fall on you while climbing, there are so many ways for you, yourself, to fall.

◦ As a climber, you could loose your hold and drop into the air. It could be the last sensation you know.

◦ You may go careening down a mountainside. If you survive the brutal fall, hopefully you won’t land in a deep hole or a crevasse. (Good grief!)

◦ Be extremely cautious on slick ice slopes. Crampons, an ice axe and ice screws (pickets) become necessary here. One slip could mean no return for you.

There are snow slopes for which a potential avalanche must always be considered. At the base of these snow slopes lies the danger of a hidden crevasse. Meticulous use of a snow bridge often becomes necessary. You’ll want to have an experienced climber with you for those instances when advancing over snow, especially snow on ice, is a difficult decision. If you must go, a straight ascent is preferred over a horizontal one. Less can be done to encourage snow movement (avalanche) this way.

Crevasses are deep chasms found in glaciers. They may be easily seen or they may be hidden from sight. It takes experience and caution to detect them. Your best protection is to rope your climbing party together. Don’t ever cross a crevasse without being tied to at least one person.

Weather is an awesome force high in the mountains. You can never escape it so don’t think that you can ignore it. You may experience a whiteout where you’d be lucky to see a few feet in front of you. In the summer, you may experience thunderstorms or lightning, even lightning all by itself. All climbers are advised to have an alpine start, that is, a climb that starts before or at first light. It gives you the chance to return to base during daylight should the weather become threatening.

High in the mountains there is less oxygen to breathe. The body needs to acclimatize, to become accustomed to the thin air. If you don’t give yourself enough time, you’ll probably develop altitude sickness. If you do not descend immediately when this happens, your condition could progress to one of two forms of edema. Both conditions could be fatal within 24 hours. I repeat, fatal within a day. If this happens, get yourself off that mountain right now!

Mountain climbing is absurdly dangerous. You really will risk your life, over and over. But, oh, to stand on the summit. To be so high, to see for many miles, possibly over many miles of mountains, to know that you stand where few have gone before. What a feeling! Very few things come close. Be careful up there!

Winter Park is “The Mountain Bike Capital of the USA”. Winter Park real estate and development company, Coyote Creek is only 90 minutes outside Denver. Though, primarily a ski town, Winter Park is becoming a four-season town. The desire for mountain homes is making Winter Park a popular place to live, driving the Winter Park real estate market.

Winter Park is located in Grand County, Colorado. It lies at 9100 feet. The area is surrounded by the Arapaho National Forest and three beautiful Wilderness areas. Close by, the Rocky Mountain National Park offers 265,727 acres of natural land and wildlife habitat for public enjoyment. In the Fraser Valley are three different ecological zones offering fantastic views and surroundings for Winter Park mountain homes.

David Moffat founded Winter Park as a workers camp during construction of the Moffat Tunnel while building the transcontinental railroad from Denver to the Pacific. Winter Park began as two small settlements, Old Town and Hideaway Park. The Fraser Valley in which Winter Park is located has a rich heritage of Ute Indians, logging, pioneers, mining, ranching and the railroad.

Winter Park offers the best powder skiing in the nation. Cold and long winters at high altitude are perfect conditions for winter recreation. Average annual sunny days is 250, average snowfall is 231 inches, the average high is 54 degrees, average low is 12.

Tourism drives the Winter Park economy. Retail and service businesses are the major employers. In addition, the Winter Park real estate market is vibrant because so many are seeking mountain homes.

Work in the town is very seasonal. Winter park enjoys low unemployment rates. The average median household income is $44,000, much higher than the national median of 41, 994 (2000 census).

Winter Park is a small town of 662 people with 129 families. Seasonal work fluctuates the population, as well as, second-home owners vacationing in their mountain homes.

Located in the Arapahoe National Forest, moose, elk, deer, porcupines, bear and mountain lions make their home in the mountain region.

3000 acres of skiing landscape offer terrain parks, groomers, bumps, steeps and deeps. In 2006, snow fall was an ideal 365 inches. There are other popular sports – cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing.

In the summer with 250 sunny days a year there is mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, backpacking and river rafting. There is also a full cultural life with concerts and festivals; the Alpine Art Affair takes place in July.

Smart buyers are taking advantage of opportunities in Winter Park real estate. Booming business and proximity to Denver are increasing the potential for Winter Park real estate, at the same time it is still affordable. As the area has grown, affordable housing needs have to. In Winter Park, 80% of homes are owned by second home owners wanting mountain homes.

The median value of owner occupied housing units is $334, 400; median asking price $541,000. Winter Park real estate ranges from $120, 000 to $2,500,000.

Mountaineering was once considered very dangerous. However, more and more modern people would like to leave the city and go mountaineering. Therefore, it has become popular nowadays.

 

Necessary mountaineering equipments

In ordinary mountaineering or outdoor expedition, the following 4 equipments are necessary.

1. Knee pads

Some mountaineers think you can go without knee pads when you climb up the mountain. However, everyone should wear them when you go down the mountain. And you shouldn’t go fast, because there is a big shock when you go down the mountain. To prevent the shock, you can carry a bicycle with you. Ride the bicycle when you go down the mountain.

2. Mountaineering bag

Mountaineering bag are divided in to light bag and heavy bag, including skiing pack, traveling bag, rock climbing bag and so on. Light bag is for hiking and camping. Mountaineers should not carry things more than 25 kg. Heavy bag is for high-altitude mountaineering and long-distance expedition. Put heavy things on the top part of your bag or close to yourself. Fill the bag. Don’t hang things outside.

3. Mountaineering pole

It is easier to climb up and down the mountains with a mountaineering pole. It can relieve the pressure on your legs. It will be safe to walk on the gravel and in the river valley with a mountaineering pole. You can also find a path in the weeds and drive animals out of your way.

4. Mountaineering shoes

You’d better choose a pair of mountaineering shoes suitable for your feet and the mountaineering route. If you go across difficult area, you have to choose a pair of shoes that can protect your ankles, heels and toes.

Besides, you need rope, sling, snaplink, mountain glasses, heavy clothes, gloves, jack ladder, map, compass, headlight, lighter, tent?sleeping bag and so on.

Made in China, a big shopping mall for mountaineering equipments

Made in China offers all kinds of mountaineering equipments to help mountaineers climb up higher mountains. There are different types of mountaineering shoes. There are mountaineering clothes, such as mountaineering pants and mountaineering jacket. Tents and mountaineering poles here all have a good quality and overwhelming price. Small orders are also acceptable. Just go and visit there. I am sure you will find what you need for mountaineering!

Experience for mountaineering

1. Warm-up exercise

If the mountain you will climb is very high or you seldom climb mountains, warm-up exercise before mountaineering is necessary. You have to spend 10 to 20 minutes extending and relaxing your muscles. It will be easier to climb.

2. Jump

When you climb up mountains, jump a little. It is easy and energetic.

3. Don’t look up

Don’t look up when you climb mountains, especially when you first climb them. Because your legs have not gotten used to climbing, you will be tired if you look up.

4. Turn your attention to other places

Don’t think that the mountain is high when you climb up mountains. Take it easy and stop from time to time. You will enjoy mountaineering. You will not miss beautiful scenes. When you are tired, watch the scenery around. You can also sing to turn your attention to other places.

5. Relax when you go down mountains

Control your steps when you go down mountains. Don’t rush. It is easy to hurt yourself. At the same time, relieve muscles of your knees. You muscles will get tired if they are tight.