The gears in mountain bikes just keep getting more and more intricate. The bikes of today have as many as 27 gear ratios. A mountain bike will use a combination of three different sized sprockets in front and nine in the back to produce gear ratios. The idea behind all these gears is to allow the rider to crank the pedals at a constant pace no matter what kind of slope the bike is on. You can understand this better by picturing a bike with just a single gear. Each time you rotate the pedals one turn, the rear wheel would rotate one turn as well (1:1 gear ratio). If the rear wheel is 26 inches in diameter, then with 1:1 gearing, one full twist on the pedals would result in the wheel covering 81.6 inches of ground. If you are pedaling at a speed of 50 RPM, this means that the bike can cover over 340 feet of ground per minute. This is only 3.8 MPH, which is the equivalence of walking speed. This is ideal for climbing a steep hill, although bad for ground or going downhill. To go faster you’ll need a different ratio. To ride downhill at 25 MPH with a 50 RPM cadence at the pedals, you’ll need a 5.6:1 gear ratio. A bike with a lot of gears will give you a large number of increments between a 1:1 gear ratio and a 6.5:1 gear ratio so that you can always pedal at 50 RPM, no matter how fast you are actually going. On a normal 27 speed mountain bike, six of the gear ratios are so close to each other that you can’t notice any difference between them.  With actual use, bike riders tend to choose a front sprocket suitable for the slope they are riding on and stick with it, although the front sprocket can be difficult to shift under heavy load. It’s much easier to shit between the gears on the rear. If you are cranking up a hill, it’s best to choose the smallest sprocket on the front then shift between the nine gears available on the rear. The more speeds you have on the back sprocket, the bigger advantage you’ll have. All in all, gears are very important to mountain bikes as they dictate your overall speed. Without gears you wouldn’t be able to build speed nor would you be able to pound pedals. The gears will move the pedals and help you build up speed.  There are all types of gears available in mountain bikes, all of which will help you build up a lot of momentum if you use them the right way.

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.” – Anatole France

General

If you decide to do an activity such as going on an organized trek you will usually find that there are several different companies offering the activities. When you make your decision do not only decide based on price, there may be big differences in the quality of the equipment and the food and how much the local porters get paid. Ask for references from other travelers. Sometimes you find that even though you book with one company they pool their customers with customers from other companies in order to make more money. If this is a problem for you then ask before you book.

Make sure that you are physically prepared for the activities you plan to do, bring the right equipment or rent it locally. Make sure you have enough water and food and beware of the sun.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is a good way to get some adrenalin going. In most countries there are local climbing clubs that usually can assist you with advice on where to go. Or they might come along as climbing partners if you ask them. If you do not have proper training and do not know how to handle the equipment securely there are usually commercial companies offering guided tours on beginner routes.

If you end up climbing in areas rarely visited you might want to check when the area was last rebolted. Bolts are affected by the wear and tear of water, especially if they are close to the ocean.

Note that different crags have different rules of what protection to use. In some places chalk is forbidden too. Make sure to stick with the local climbing rules.

A good place to find route maps (topos) on the Internet is Wikitopo.

Personal Experience – The Mont Blanc Misery

I was in Chamonix and decided to climb Mont Blanc. As this was not part of our schedule we were in a rush to bring something to eat with us. We brought some cans of food but as we were pretty tired on our way down there was not enough time to stop to cook it. Sandwiches or energy bars would have been more convenient. Preparing alpine climbing is a must as the risk increases when you get tired and hungry.

Trekking

Trekking in the mountain gives you fresh air and builds your character at the same time. When you trek to higher altitudes the air pressure gets lower. At sea level the oxygen percentage is about 21% with an air pressure around 760 mmHg. As you climb higher the oxygen percentage remains the same but the air pressure gets lower. This means that your body gets less oxygen with each breath. You will lose your breath and get more tired than you perhaps anticipate.

At 6 000 ft (1 828 m) the air pressure is 609 mmHg. At 12 000 ft (3 658 m) the air pressure is 483 mmHg. At 18 000 ft (5 486 m) the air pressure is only 380 mmHg.

People are affected differently at high altitude. Already at 3 000 meters you can get a severe headache. It is important to listen to you body as you can get brain oedema and lung oedema if you keep on pushing on to higher altitudes.

The usual recommendation is modest altitude gains of not more than 300 meters per day above 3 000 meter and to spend 2 nights in the same place every 1 000 meters.

Another thing when you are at high altitude is that water boils at a lower temperature than at sea level. You may therefore have to cook food for a longer period of time.

The temperature can change drastically during the day. It may be freezing cold in the morning, extremely hot during they day and cold at night again. If you change altitude it gets colder the higher you get, around 10 degrees Centigrade (=5,5 degrees Fahrenheit) per 1 000 meters. As an example, if you start out at 10 degrees Centigrade at sea level, this can mean a temperature of -20 degrees Centigrade at 3 000 meters. The chill factor from the wind can make it even colder.

Plan your trip accordingly and allow plenty of slack in your schedule to be able to get down before dark.

If there is snow it is important to wear alpine sun glasses to avoid getting snow blind (or a severe headache).

Scuba diving and snorkeling

Going under water gives you new perspectives of the world. If you intend to get your diving license abroad it makes sense to do some research beforehand. Try to go for the two big certificates: PADI or CMAS.

Renting equipment has it pros and cons. On the upside you do not have to carry your own heavy equipment all over the world. On the downside the rental equipment in many parts of the world is rather poor. Bring your own mask, snorkel and dive watch as a minimum if you intend do some serious diving.

The quality of dive companies and liveaboards also differ greatly. In Australia it is usually very well organized and the instructors show respect to the sea and its inhabitants. In other places dive masters start chasing fish or bend up corals just to show you something “extra”. Do not encourage this behavior. Other people want to see the stuff too!

In some places, such as the Red Sea, the snorkeling is almost as good as the scuba diving. Even though scuba diving increases the chances of seeing “big”animals.

Personal Experience – The Zanzibar Snorkeling Zest

I was staying on the east coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania. I was going for a dive with a bunch of people, but before we got to the dive site we spotted some dolphins nearby. The boatman took us there and I was so eager to get into the water that I forgot my fins. Meanwhile the other people had entered the water and were swimming towards the dolphins. Back on the boat the driver said: “Do not worry. The dolphins have moved. I will take you there.” When I jumped into the water the second time I was all alone with 8 dolphins for a few minutes before the rest of the crowd came and scared them away for good. Magical.

Riding

Horseback riding is fun. And camel riding too. Being a novice is usually not a problem. If you are a skilled rider you might find rental horses non-responsive and pretty dull. This is what happens when hundreds of kids pull them in the ears all day.

If you are going on a longer tour, make sure that you get a proper inspection of the horses, camels or whatever you are going to ride.

Personal Experience – The Jaisalmer Jeopardy

In Jaisalmer, India we signed up for a 3-day camel tour out in the desert. We paid a bit extra to get “premium camel” and “premium food”. Well, it turn out my camel (nicknamed Ernst) were the slowest one in the Rajastan desert. And the special food – served every lunch and dinner – was Alu Gobi, which is a mix of potato and cauliflower. Probably the cheapest they could offer. So, it makes good sense to try to check what you are really getting if possible. Or talk to other backpackers or just browse the web.

Mountaineering, mountain climbing, top rope, bouldering or rock climbing, whatever you want to call it, these names all pertain to the wonderful and exciting sport of reaching the peak of a goal. Experienced climbers know the adventure and fun in store in climbing a mountain. There are many trails, sites and stopovers that can definitely provide you a whole new perspective. People sometimes need a change of scenery to refresh the body and the mind. Mountain climbing and exploring the outdoors can give the right setting for such needs. This is also a good opportunity to get closer to nature. Thus, it is best for you to explore this wholesome activity. This is one good way to challenge your body. This is also a way to stimulate the mind and spirit by giving it a refreshing drive. You will do more than just mere hiking when you go mountain climbing. You will also get to learn how to work well with other people in a group, proper balancing, controlling movements, following a lead and even taking safety considerations. Rappelling is also one thing that you can only enjoy here. It will definitely be one of the best decisions you will make in your lifetime. Thus, if you are interested in learning the many ways of mountain climbing and rappelling, you must do your homework. Research on how you can start on this activity and take initiative in making this plan a reality. Some Helpful Tips for Climbing and Rappelling Activities For most beginners, this exciting sport will have to be properly prepared to ensure safety and fun at all times. Here are some points to keep in mind when you go mountain climbing and rappelling. 1. Climbing Guides First consideration is the need to take caution at every step of the way. It is best to get the assistance of a climbing guide. Basically, the guide will keep you on track. Make sure that he or she is qualified enough to take on the task. A certification by the IFMGA or the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association will be a good assurance. 2. Get Proper Instruction There are many equipment, terms and techniques that you will encounter in climbing. These will come in handy as you communicate with fellow climbers and learn the various ways they do their climbing and rappelling. As such, it is best to get the right education when it comes to such things. There are instructions offered by climbing guides, groups or organizations that can cater to your level of ability. Be sure to take this opportunity. The beginners can be best taught the proper ways in climbing and rappelling through training. Indoor man-made rock walls will help in giving you a feel of what you will face outdoors. Most people find rappelling down more difficult than climbing up. If you train indoors, you can learn rappelling techniques until you are confident enough. This way, you can easily learn even if you are still trying to overcome your fears. You can also choose to get personal instruction on your rappelling abilities. The personal instructor can very well adjust to your pace and guide you in every detail that you need to focus on. 3. Have the Right Equipment Any climbing and rappelling endeavors must also be supported by the right equipment at hand. Make sure you have all the necessary things on hand. The helmet is a must to keep you head safe from any falling debris, bumps, or bruises. The climbing shoes must also be worn to keep you safe from any slippery steps. Check also the climbing package. Make sure you have all the tools needed like the food, rope, chalk, harness among many others. Make sure also that you take care of your equipment really well. For example, if you want to focus more on rappelling, you must keep the necessary things at hand. Protect your rappel and know how to use it when the need arises. By doing these things, you can easily focus on the fun experience. Conclusion Mountain climbing and rappelling may be foreign to you for now, but with the right research, preparation and training, you will definitely be one of those raving on how fun these adventures can get.

Climbers trying to scale a mountain need to know what its characteristics are and the level of difficulty involved for a successful climb. This is why mountains have a rating system for climbing. For beginner climbers and climb leaders, this is one of the most important technical information about mountain climbing that they should learn. The rating system is a widely accepted grading method that tells a climber the level of skill and stamina required to scale a particular mountain for free climbing. The system rating also varies from one country to another. There are several types of mountain climbing rating systems, including the Ewbank, UIAA, French and British and Irish. Ewbank Developed by John Ewbank, the Ewbank system was originally intended to provide a rating for the difficulty level of individual moves required for a climb. These days, other considerations are included, such as technical difficulty, strenuousness, exposure and protection levels. This is a system that is used in countries like South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. UIAA The UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme) is a rating system used for Austria and Western Germany. The French rating system is used in France, Italy and Spain. You probably might encounter this system for especially difficult climbs. British and Irish The British rating system uses the technical grading and the adjectival grading. The technical grading establishes the level of movement difficulties required for the climb and the adjectival grading rates the general difficulty level. It uses the same system as the French rating and grades are often prefixed with ‘F’. An adjectival rating system indicates the general difficulty assessment of a climb. Essentially, it consists of: M – Moderate D/Diff – Difficult VD/VDiff – Very Difficult HVD – Hard Very Difficult S – Severe HS – Hard Severe VS – Very Severe HVS – Hard Very Severe E1, E2, E3, E4, etc. – Extremely Very Severe. This is also an open-ended rating, although the latest climb with the hardest grade is at E11. A confirmed climb graded with the highest difficulty so far is E9. In case you’re wondering, ‘E’ for Easy is hardly used as an adjectival rating for mountain climbing. Also, if you looked in some guidebooks, you might find more detailed descriptions to rate a climb, such as ‘Mild Severe’ or ‘Mild Difficult’. These are used to include several factors that could vary such as conditions from the ground and on different elevations. The YDS The YDS or the Yosemite Decimal System was developed particularly for mountain climbing in the Sierra Nevada. It consists of the climbing grade, class and protection, although usage for the latter two varies. This is the rating system that is used in North America and often consists of two numbers. The first number indicates the class while the second indicates the level of difficulty. The grade indicates the approximate number of hours that a normal climb requires and is often used for mountaineering. This isn’t used for shorter rock climbs. Grade I – requires 1-2 hours Grade II – less than 1/2 day Grade III – one-half day Grade IV – one day climb Grade V – two days Grade VI – more than two days Grade VII – one week or more The YDS Class indicates the technical difficulty of a climb. Class 1 – indicates a mountain climb that is good for trail walking, with a small chance of sustaining a fall or injury that is fatal. Class 2 – indicates a mountain that is possibly steep and requires some scrambling, especially off-trail. A Class 2 climb can mean that a climber will need to use his hands or a tool like an ice axe for balance or to pull himself up. This class also indicates a greater chance of sustaining a severe injury, although it’s still not considered fatal. Class 3 – means that the mountain climb will require hand and foot holds and tools such as crampons and ice axes. The use of ropes may also be indicated. Class 4 – requires ropes and anchored belays. Otherwise, falls could prove fatal to the climber. Class 5 – not only requires ropes and anchored belays but also protection points, spread intermittently throughout the climb. This can also indicate increasing difficulty as the climb progresses. Class 5 also indicates rock climbing on a nearly vertical or vertical rock. The protection rating used by the YDS is often optional, but it is quite useful when trying to determine the requirement for protection quality and spacing during a climb. G – stands for Good, indicating solid protection. PG – is Pretty Good, with a few sections where placements are either non-existent or poor at best. R – is Runout, meaning some placements are spaced far apart X -means no protection and that the climb is very dangerous Some guidebooks list a rating system for a climb in extremely detailed figures, such as 4.5, 5.2 or 5.6 that’s why climbers need to study the rating systems used in a particular area to familiarize themselves. It is also important to note that improvements in climbing gear and equipment and increase in climbing standards also meant that a climb rated with a high level of difficulty may currently be recognized as a moderate climb. These are some slight changes that mountain climbers should be aware of. For successful and safe mountain climbing, it is absolutely necessary to familiarize yourself with the rating system used. Wherever you are in the world, you will know what to expect and be prepared for your climb.