TRAVEL / Climbing

Climbing a mountain is a hard sport, full of adventure and requires skill, intelligence, strength and high fighting power. Dangers and challenges is the attraction of this activity. In fact the danger and the challenge is to test the ability of self and to be at one with nature. The success of a difficult climb, meaning the benefits to the fear and the triumph of the struggle against yourself.

In Indonesia, the mountain climbing activity began to be known since 1964 when Indonesia and Japanese climbers made a joint expedition and reached the top of Sukarno in the mountains Jayawijaya, Irian Jaya (now Papua). They are Soedarto and Soegirin from Indonesia, and Fred Atabe from Japan. In the same year, associations born mountaineer start, beginning with the establishment of associations facer jungle and mountain climbers Wanadri in Bandung and Nature Lovers Students, University of Indonesia (Mapala UI) in Jakarta, followed later by other clubs in various cities in Indonesia .

TYPE OF TRAVEL / Climbing

Mountaineering in the broad sense is a journey, ranging from hill walking expedition to climb to the tops of high and difficult to take a long time, even for months.
According to the activities and types of terrain encountered, mountaineering is divided into three parts:

1. Hill Walking / Fell Walking
Travel up the hills, which are relatively flat and not or do not require special equipment technicalities.

2. Scrambling
Climbing on the rock cliffs are not so steep or relatively gentle slope, sometimes using hands for balance. For beginners are usually fitted to a safety rope line on the track.

3. Climbing
Climbing activities that require special technical mastery. Technical equipment necessary for safety. Climbing usually takes no more than one day.

Climbing activities is divided into two parts, namely:
a. Rock Climbing
Climbing on the rock cliffs that require climbing techniques using special equipment.
b. Snow & Ice climbing
Climbing on the ice and snow.

4. Mountaineering
Is a combination of all forms of climbing on top. Timing can be for days, weeks, even months. In addition to master climbing techniques and knowledge of climbing equipment, also have to master the management of travel, food arrangements, communications, strategy climbing, etc..

CLASSIFICATION Climbing

The level of difficulty that each person is different, depending on the development of new techniques. Those who work out will have a level of difficulty / grade better than their new practice.

Climbing classification based on degree of difficulty facing the field (based on the Sierra Club):
Class 1: walk upright, do not need a special foot gear (walking).
Class 2: field rather difficult, so the legs proper equipment and the use of hand as a helper balance is needed (scrambling).
Class 3: the more difficult terrain, which required a specific climbing techniques, but has not required a safety rope (climbing).
Class 4: the difficulty increases, takes the rope and python to anchor / mooring (exposed climbing).
Class 5: difficult route, but the equipment (ropes, slings, python, etc.), still serves as a safety device (difficult free climbing).
Class 6: The climbing is no longer providing the handle, crack or cavity shear force needed for climbing. Climbing completely dependent on the equipment (aid climbing).

Climbing SYSTEM

1. Himalayan System, is a climbing system that is used to travel a long ascent, takes many weeks. This system was developed on the climb to the peaks in the Himalayas. Cooperation group in this system are divided into several resting place (for example: base camp, flying camp, etc.). Although only one team member who managed to reach the top, while the other team members only until the middle of the journey, the climb can be said successful.

2. Alpine System, is a system developed climbing in the Alps. The goal for all climbers reached the summit together. This system is faster, because the climbers do not need to go back to base camp, made the trip together in a way kept flying up and open the camp up to the top.

PREPARING FOR AN mountaineer

To be a good mountaineer take several requirements including:

1. Mental characteristics.
A mountain climber must be resilient in the face of many difficulties and challenges in the open. Not easy to despair and courage, in the sense of the word was able to face challenges and overcome them wisely, and also willing to acknowledge the limitations of capabilities.

2. Knowledge and skills
Includes knowledge of the terrain, weather, climbing techniques knowledge of climbing equipment and so on.

3. Adequate physical condition
Climb the mountain, including a heavy sport, requiring good physical condition. Success or failure of a climb depends on physical strength. For that to keep good physical condition and ready, we must always practice.

4. Ethics
We must fully realize that a mountain climber is a part of society that has rules and laws in place that we must grasp firmly. Climbing a mountain without thinking of safety is not a commendable attitude, but that we also must respect the attitudes and public opinion about mountain climbing activities as we do.

(Source: Guidance Manual Ascent of Mount & Exploration Woods / EAT & E - EAST 2003)