Mountain Climbing Has Tied the Knot with Safety

Mountain climbing is a sport that doesn’t only train your body to be physically fit – it also equips your brain to be mentally robust. In a hazardous environment like mountains, knowing how to tie a knot is very important. Ample knowledge about it coupled with the correct equipment will surely make you safer than knowing nothing at all. Any individual who would like to go hiking should have a basic knowledge of knots and knots system to ensure his or her safety and increase the ability to undertake the adventures that comes along with mountain climbing.

See also: Why do people hike even if it’s dangerous?

It is very tempting to learn as many knots as possible, given the number of knots that can be learned and used in our everyday lives. However, it is very important to take not that it is better to learn and master just a handful of knots which are essential to help us survive in specific situation. 

DECIDE WHICH KNOT TO USE

Tying is a knot should not be done just for the sake of tying or joining ropes together. A good knot should be:

1. Strong – This is probably the first quality that comes to mind when deciding which not to use in certain situations. However, this is not the sole criteria for selecting a knot.
2. Secured – A strong knot doesn’t necessarily mean that a knot is secured. Defining the security of a knot is a critical task. You can be sure that a knot is secured if it has the ability to stay tied even in the toughest situations.
3. Easy to tie, hard to forget – A good knot has an ease for visual inspection. This means that your knot should be quickly recognized by your team if it is tied correctly or not. Furthermore, why should we choose a complicated knot over a simple knot if their purposes are also the same?

IMPORTANT KNOTS THAT MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS SHOULD KNOW

Here, we have listed 5 of the many important knots that mountain climbers should know:

1. Water Knot (Stopper Knot)

·         Used for tying flat webbing to itself or to another piece of webbing.

·         Also used for joining ropes together.

·         A secured knot.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Water Knot:

2. Figure Eight Knot (Single Loop Knot)

·         Used as a climber’s harness to the end of a rope.

·         Used for stopping ropes from running out of retaining devices.

·         Generally stronger than a basic Bowline Knot.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Figure Eight Knot:

3. Bowline Knot (Single Loop Knot)

·         Also called as the “King of Knots”

·         Used for securing the end of a line around something.

·         Used for making a secured loop at the end of a rope.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Bowline Knot:

4. Prusik Knot (Hitches)

·         A life-saver knot in the mountains.

·         Used to get a better grip on another rope.

·         Enables you to ascend a rope or haul up a load.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie a Prusik Knot:

5. Clove Hitch (Hitches)

·         Great to use when it’s under a constant tension.

·         Doesn’t take a lot of rope and can be easily adjusted.

·         Used for connecting rope to anchors.

Watch this tutorial on how to tie Clove Hitch:

For you to be able to survive mountain climbing, it is essential to know these knots. However, tying knots under pressure is a different story. Read this article about a climber who wasn’t able to secure his knots and suffered an unfortunate event.

You don’t expect yourself to be an expert in this skill in just a snap of a finger. Learning to tie a knot will take time – it will surely be difficult in the beginning. All you have to do is practice. Over time, you would know which knots to use for specific situations.

What Are the Benefits of Mountain Climbing?

Mountain climbing may be regarded by other people as a dangerous sport or hobby, but there are still many who consider it as a very beneficial activity. If you are wondering what benefits could be had from this adventure, then here are some examples:

Meet New Friends – climbing mountains are usually done in groups. It is rare to find a climber who climbs all by himself. Aside from socialization, climbing a mountain with those who share your passion, allows you to be more at ease with other people you barely know. During the climb, it is unavoidable to trust one another, as you all have the same goal and that is to reach the summit safely by helping every member of the group.

A Form of Meditation – mountain climbing is said to be a form of meditation. It forces you to have presence of mind during the climb, to ensure safety and it also allows you to experience every moment of it – from the littlest things to the most remarkable moments of the journey. The feeling of success when you reach the summit is only a part of it all – the overall result is both uplifting and rewarding.

Learning to Take Risks – you will encounter a lot of obstacles in the mountains – from the difficult trails to dangerous animals – before you can reach the top. Mountain climbing gives you the opportunity to face your fears and to take more risks. It teaches you to be brave and be more confident in every decision that you make.

Appreciate the Beauty of Nature – aside from the personal benefits that you can get from mountain climbing, it also makes you more aware of the beauty of nature around you. You don’t just see it, but you feel it against your skin. The more immersed you are with nature, the more you understand and appreciate its very existence.

Mountain climbing gives us a chance to have a priceless experience. It has a lot of benefits, not only to our health, but also to our state of mind. Have you ever thought why some people put too much effort in climbing the most dangerous mountains in the world? It is because they know that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is an experience that cannot be taken away from them. It is a challenging activity that has the ability to make them feel complete and fulfilled.

Why do people hike even if it's dangerous?

The ultimate goal in climbing is to reach the summit. One should not climb if reaching the summit is not in his mind. However, before reaching the goal, several adversities will block the trail to the summit. Mountaineering is surely physically exhausting and it’s not a wonder why people question us on why do we still keep doing it. Engaging with the dangers of it doesn’t mean that we want to get rid of ourselves; mountaineering was never a punishment and it will never be. On the contrary, mountain climbing is an achievement. But just like any other victories, successful mountain climbing can only be done after surpassing a number of trials.

Now, going back to the question of why people still climb even if it’s dangerous? Questions like this will only be answered if you, yourself have tried climbing. As to us, we have several reasons why we still climb despite the challenges. To enumerate a few, we still climb because:

1. It’s our stress-reliever. It’s kind of funny that mountain climbing is considered as a stress reliever despite the physical aches that we get during the hike. Howbeit, reaching the summit is a different story. Being close to nature and realizing how small you are will make you realize a lot of things. Being united with nature brings a one of a kind feeling of liberation and serenity.
2. It pushes us to our limits. We think that we know ourselves already. But in mountain climbing, we were able to know ourselves even more. We have discovered that we have a lot more to offer when it comes to bolstering our skills and potentials. There are no two mountains alike. Every hiking is a lesson and every climb is a challenge of working under pressure while being positive and realistic at the same time.
3. It gives a feeling of achievement. The feeling when you have already reached the summit is exceptional. Mountaineering is our way of proving ourselves that we are strong enough to reach a goal. Naturally, people take pride on what they can do that others cannot. The feeling of success is like a state of grace that we would always want to feel.
4. It creates strong friendships. It was said that stressful situations create strong friendships. In mountaineering, you will learn to build trust with your hiking buddies. You have to grasp on the reality that you are independent but you should also be in charge of each other.
5. It makes us feel stronger. There are several preparations that we need to undergo before going into hikes. Our strength and endurance are being tested as well as our way of thinking. Mountaineering makes us feel that we are strong persons and that are one step closer to speaking our goals into existence.

“If you are faced with a mountain, you have several options.
You can climb it and cross to the other side.
You can go around it.
You can dig under it.
You can fly over it.
You can blow it up.
You can ignore it and pretend it’s not there.
You can turn around and go back the way you came.
Or you can stay on the mountain and make it your home.” 
― Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Every hike is like a trail to oblivion. Trail knows that hiking in the Philippines is treacherous. But our mountains, as well as our volcanoes are such beauties that we just could not withstand to not stroke with our own hands. It’s no secret to us that mountain climbing is a dangerous sport. Still and all, we mountain climb simply because it makes us happy.

Taal Volcano : Beautiful and Dangerous

Taal Volcano is the smallest and the second most active volcanoes in the Philippines, with a total of 33 recorded historical eruptions. It may be one of the best, but it is also considered as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the country. Located in Talisay and San Nicolas in Batangas, it is about 50 km or 31 miles south of the capital of the Philippines. Taal Volcano is part of a chain of volcanoes found along the island of Luzon which were formed by two tectonic plates colliding over 500 years ago.

A volcano within a volcano, Taal's unique beauty makes it one of the top must-see places in the Philippines. Its one-of-a-kind shape and enchantingly odd location make it a unique geologic wonder, enthralling thousands of tourists and geologists yearly. Taal Volcano is a popular tourist destination because it is such an amazingly beautiful sight to behold. When viewed from the famous Tagaytay Ridge, Taal Volcano presents one of the most picturesque and attractive views in the Philippines.

Taal Volcano has had some of the Philippine's largest and deadliest volcano eruptions. At least 6 recorded eruptions during the history of Taal, dating from 1572, have claimed a huge number of fatalities. These are mostly from powerful pyroclastic flows and great tsunamis produced in the Crater Lake. Its eruption in 1911 killed about 1334 people and caused ash fall that reached up to the city of Manila. Taal was declared one of the "Decade Volcanoes" in because of its dangerous potential. Today, Taal Volcano is one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the whole region.

The Beauty of Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano or commonly referred to as Mt. Mayon is considered as one of the most popular active volcanoes in the Philippines because of its "perfect cone shape". With an elevation of 8,081' or  2,463 m, and its international reputation, the famous volcano is definitely included in the wishlist of every adventurer.

Why You Can’t Climb Every Mountain

                Mountain climbing is an extreme sport and is easily associated to the climber’s physical, emotional and mental prowess. Without the three major elements needed, ascent to a mountain’s peak can tantamount to a grave danger. All over the world, mountaineers would risk their lives to that prove that nature is tamable but reaching the zenith of any land formation possible. On this journey, some succeeded but others did not.

The Dos and Don’ts of Mountain Climbing – Your Body

       Contrary to the popular belief, mountain climbing isn’t all about how many muscles you can flex in order to reach the top. Whether you believe or not, there are deeper disciplines in this sport than what meets the eye.

The Dos and Don’ts of Mountain Climbing – The Danger

The reasons why people climb mountains vary. Some would do for sports, others to just sweat the feeling away while some simply seek adventure. Regardless the reasons may be, mountain climbing is a kind of sport that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Unlike others, this sport poses tremendous threats and hazards to the participants. That is why extreme mountains are limited only to the professionals with vast knowledge, unquestionable trainings and a determined mindset.

The Dos and Don’ts of Mountain Climbing – The Equipment

The Mt. Apo, an average climber can reach
its peak on a two- to three-day hike.

As I’ve mentioned many times before, and probably more in my future blog posts, mountain climbing is a very dangerous sport. It is a universal fact that many seemed to ignore and take for granted. Little misplaced facts can cost a mountaineer’s life if not heed. This is one of the many instances where a single mountain climbing tool can save your life. That is why it us very essential to check all the necessary gear before heading to a trek.

Mountains vary differently, and along with it are its specialize mountain climbing gears. Though not many has change because this kind of activity follows the same strict guidelines as every extreme sport which is safety, specific tools are needed for specific mountains. And since here in the Philippines we have no ice mountains to climb, you can erase those ice screws and Petzl ice tool off the list.

To give you an overview, here are some of the items you must have if you’re to spend some nights in the Philippine terrain. Obviously, you can cross out some items if you’re only planning to have a day-hike.

·         A pair of mittens to keep your hands uninjured while holding tress for support as you climb;

·         A visor or cap;

·         A flashlight and extra batteries;

·         Sandals or running shoes will suffice;

·         Sleeping bag and sleeping pad;

·         Match or lighters;

·         Extra clothes (including a jacket and bandannas) and underpants X the days you plan to stay;

·         Toiletry (for men and women);

·         Sunscreen and anti-mosquito lotion;

·         First aid kit with ibuprofen, Band-Aids, loperamide, water purification tablets and other medication if any of the climber needs special treatment;

·         Utensils like spoon and fork, water bottles and vacuum thermos for hot water;

·         And extra food.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Mountain Climbing – The Weather

Whether you scale a mountain just to escape the crowded streets of the metropolis or a hardcore mountaineering enthusiast, there are preparations that need to be followed in order to guarantee the safety of everyone—and it exempts no one. Since most people consider mountain climbing as an extreme sport, precautionary measures must be observed. One must always remember that most mountains are secluded from the civilization. This fact alone eliminates the idea of calling professional help if need arises.

Top Three Mountains to Climb in the Philippines

                Philippines is one of those few select countries blessed with beautiful beaches and stunning mountains, both of which you can enjoy immensely.  Not to mention its diverse and rich flora and fauna because of the country’s geopolitical location isolating a few biological wildlife into its territory. Whether you prefer extreme sports or just chilling in your house with a book on a hand, there are mountains in the Philippines that everybody could try to sweat the day out while enjoying the majestic view of nature.

Every Hikers' Must-Bring

Mountain climbing can be very exciting but there is one thing that everybody should always understand: regardless of the mountain’s difficulty, there are rules that need to be followed. Probably the first and only rule is not to hike a mountain unprepared.