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Nope, I think you might have entirely missed the point - of the ice axe.

This whole sack of potatoes is about hardcore "climbers" vs. Nature Nuts.

Don't get me wrong, I like granola bars and sunflower seeds just as much as the next guy.

I don't believe in using stinking trekking poles, when my hands and legs work just fine!

For crying out loud. We're all on the miserable planet together, so let's try to get along !

lcarreau wrote:I don't believe in using stinking trekking poles, when my hands and legs work just fine!

I haven't used any yet but now, my poor spine refusing to carry more than 10-11 kilos, I'm thinking of buying some since they're supposed to take away up to a quarter of the burden.

yatsek wrote:I think the HIKER prefers walking outdoors to indoor/gym climbing, unlike the CLIMBER.

Still looking forward to hearing from some who call themselves H or C.

justing wrote:Something I've always wondered...what the hell is trekking and how does it differ from hiking? To me it sounds like the name for hiking to hikers who want to sound like they're doing something cooler than hiking. At least they know they're not climbing I guess.

I guess trekking is backpacking, as opposed to day hikes (American hikes).

I wonder what native speakers of (any) English mean by "mountaineering" though. Mixed climbing?

yatsek wrote: I wonder what native speakers of (any) English mean by "mountaineering" though. Mixed climbing?

For us, in France, "mountaineering" is "alpinisme", mixed or not climbing (rock, snow and/or ice).

"Mountaineering" is considered going off the beaten track, and CLIMBING any mountain
above 7,000 feet. It's usually when you have to "scramble" over rocks or permanent
icefields.

(In the desert, you can't remember your name... because you have to tiptoe over
scorpions and rattlesnakes.)

lcarreau wrote:(In the desert, you can't remember your name... because you have to tiptoe over
scorpions and rattlesnakes.)

So:
US mountaineering = EU alpinism
Generally climbing above the snow line?

yatsek wrote:I think the HIKER prefers walking outdoors to indoor/gym climbing, unlike the CLIMBER.

Still looking forward to hearing from some who call themselves H or C.

Mihai Tanase wrote:

yatsek wrote: I wonder what native speakers of (any) English mean by "mountaineering" though. Mixed climbing?

For us, in France, "mountaineering" is "alpinisme", mixed or not climbing (rock, snow and/or ice).

According to Wikipedia:

"Mountaineering is the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, backpacking and climbing mountains. In Europe it is also referred to as alpinism, while in the Americas the term refers to a particular style of mountain climbing, which involves a mixture of ice climbing, rock climbing, mixed climbing, and where the climbers carry all their loads with them at all times."

Does this apply here?

Brad Marshall wrote:According to Wikipedia:"Mountaineering is the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, backpacking and climbing mountains. In Europe it is also referred to as alpinism, while in the Americas the term refers to a particular style of mountain climbing, which involves a mixture of ice climbing, rock climbing, mixed climbing, and where the climbers carry all their loads with them at all times."

Does this apply here?

Well, over here, in Poland, "alpinism" is definitely not used as a synonym for hiking/backpacking/climbing in the mts lower than the Alps/without glaciers. Some may apply the term to winter climbing in the Tatras, our highest.

lcarreau wrote:I think you might have entirely missed the point - of the ice axe.

This whole sack of potatoes is about hardcore "climbers" vs. Nature Nuts.

I've missed much more in my life. Anyway, it looks like I've killed the thread. Hope it was already dying.

In 1964 Justice Potter Stewart observed that hard-core pornography is hard to define but, "I know it when I see it." Perhaps it is the same for climbing and hiking. Might not be a bad ending for this tortured thread.

oldandslow wrote:In 1964 Justice Potter Stewart observed that hard-core pornography is hard to define but, "I know it when I see it." Perhaps it is the same for climbing and hiking. Might not be a bad ending for this tortured thread.

oldandslow wrote: Might not be a bad ending for this tortured thread.

lcarreau wrote:"Mountaineering" is considered going off the beaten track, and CLIMBING any mountain above 7,000 feet. It's usually when you have to "scramble" over rocks or permanent icefields.

Magoo, are you on drugs? Where do you come up with this crap?