Hello,
I'm currently writing a PhD proposal at the University of Leuven (Belgium) about mountaineering and hiking. I have, however, a linguistic issue I cannot resolve immediately, and I'm hoping someone around here can help me with this.
I want to know what the generic term is for the collection of sports consisting of alpinism, hiking, indoor and outdoor climbing.
I always thought it to be 'mountain sports', my supervisor, however, thinks it is rather 'mountaineering'. That is why I would like to ask whether it is correct to use 'mountain sports' to describe those sports practiced in the mountains (or hills)? It seems to me that the meaning of 'mountaineering' is rather restricted, while, I think, it doesn't include for example hiking and indoor climbing.
Anyone who can help me out with this?
Many thanks in advance!
Koen