Discuss with your partner the various hazards and risks that a mountaineer/ trekker has to face in an expedition
Answers
Answer:
My partner Shanya and I discussed the various aspects of mountaineering and enlisted the following hazards and risks that mountaineers face:
1. Weather- The biggest problem that mountaineers face is unpredictable or bad weather. Since they are out in the open, without any buildings where they can take shelter, bad weather plays havoc with their lives. Strong winds threaten to blow the mountaineers off cliffs while at other times, it forces them to stop and take shelter. Extreme cold weather can cause chilblains and make movement extremely cumbersome.
2. Terrain- The terrain poses high risks to mountaineers. The possibility of landslides in mountains and avalanches in snow clad regions endangers their lives. Similarly, if the soil is loose, they cannot get a sure footing and may fall right onto rocks.
3. Altitude- The higher the altitude, the lesser is the oxygen available to facilitate normal breathing. As breathing becomes difficult, so does movement and physical activity.
4. Physical and mental endurance- When on a long or a particularly challenging mission, it is extremely essential for mountaineers to prepare well for it. They need to be physically fit and be able to handle arduous physical activity for long hours at a stretch without getting exhausted. Also, it is critical for mountaineers to remain calm and determined irrespective of their condition. Sometimes they are in such remote locations that it takes considerable time for help teams to reach them.
5. Running out of supplies- Though mountaineers carry food, water and medical supplies, if they get stuck in a remote place, due to weather or ill-health, they risk running out of supplies. They can perish without the basic things needed for survival.
6. Connectivity- While mountaineers explore areas that are either sparsely or not inhabited at all, they often lose connectivity with the rest of the world. This is very risky since it takes days before anyone realises that the mountaineers are in trouble and require help.
Explanation:
A mountaineer has to brace himself for the risks associated with mountaineering.
- There is always the risk of falling due to slipping and skidding, not using the right techniques, falls due to fatigue and tiredness.
- There are always inherent risks like bad weather, avalanches, rocks falling down and all these are beyond the control of man.
- Another risk is too much exposure to the sun leading to sunstroke or exhaustion.
These are all the risks associated with mountaineering.