The December 2006 stranding of three experienced climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood during a spell of stormy winter weather, which has resulted in one confirmed death and the disappearance, so far, of the other two climbers, is a serious reminder that mountainous terrain is both beautiful and potentially dangerous. The dangers of winter hiking and climbing are obvious, but the unpredictable nature of the alpine climate can create hazards even in the summer.
Mount Washington, located at the northernmost point of New Hampshire's White Mountains, has had its share of fatalities, some from accidents such as falls, but many more from exposure. Inexperienced hikers head up the mountain, lightly clad, on a warm, sunny day, not realizing that the air temperature can differ by many degrees from the base of the mountain to it summit. Or people misgauge the time it will take to scale the mountain and then descend, and end up spending an unpleasant and possibly life-threatening night on the mountain.
Outdoor organizations like the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Sierra Club do their best to educate prospective hikers and climbers about the joys and potential dangers of mountain hiking and climbing, offering courses and guided trips year-round that emphasize proper dress, behavior, and safety. The AMC also offers safe hiking tips on its website, www.outdoors.org., and operates visitor centers in the White Mountains that provide useful information to hikers and climbers.
Natural beauty and danger go hand in hand in mountainous regions, but with proper training, equipment, and care, hikers and climbers can enjoy the beauty of the mountains while avoiding most of the dangers.
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics.