9781422280805

For some people, the mountains have always called to them. When vacation time rolls around, they head inland rather than to the shore. A dense forest that climbs over rough terrain satisfies them more than any stretch of white sand ever could. There is a certain segment of the mountain-loving population who seek more than hiking and nature walks have to offer. They are looking to be challenged by their mountains, whether it be traversing a canyon, climbing a towering peak, or scaling a sheer rock face with their bare hands; adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies find plenty of satisfaction high above sea level. Of course, the natural competitiveness of humans has manifested itself in our mountainous pursuits. It was never going to be enough to just do these things. The question had to be satisfied as to who could do them fastest, best, or most often. Competitions, both organized and not, have sprung up around just about every mountain sport. How many mountains have you climbed (and how high were they)? How long did it take you to figure out how to get to the top of that massive boulder? Can you climb up that cliff, and can you do it without the help of ropes? Or, how about with no equipment at all? How long does it take you to run 40 km (25 miles) straight uphill? These are the questions that men and women now compete to answer in the varied world of mountain sports.

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