Mountain climbing is divided into three categories. The first one is hiking or trail climbing. This is the least difficult. Participants hike up trails to reach the top of a mountain. Trails are usually not that steep and the mountains are smaller compared to the rest.



The second category is rock climbing. Here, participants climb up larger mountains, therefore the slopes are steeper. They have to go up using their hands and their feet plus a special equipment including rubber boots with thick soles. They have to bring with them steel pikes called pitons and rope to assist them.

Ice climbing is the most difficult among the three. Here, participants climb extremely high mountains with peaks above the timber line. The equipment usually used in ice climbing are ice axes and boot spikes that are attachable (crampons).

Famous climbs over the years are those of ice and rock climbing. However, the first significant mountain climbing turning points were those at Mont Blanc. One was by Michel G. Paccard and Jacques Balmat in 1786 and Horace B. de Saussure in 1787.

Then there is the climb of the Ortles in 1804, Jungfrau in 1811, Finsteraarhorn in 1812 and Mont Pelvou in 1848.

Mountain climbing enthusiasts are all required to be aware of the various trail conditions that could take place on the day of their climb. Hikers must know that the weather is unpredictable and whatever changes might occur, this can affect their expedition.

Here are a couple of trail conditions and what a mountain climber must do once he encounters them:

1. Open There are no restrictions. Any mountain climber can hike through the trail.

2. Partial Some of the roads leading to a couple of paths are off limits for mountain climbers. Only a portion of the trail is accessible. This could be due to the snow, wildlife closure and trail damage right ahead.

3. Closed Mountain climbers can no longer hike when this sign is up. A closed trail can be due to forest closure, road damage and wildlife closure.

4. Snow The trail is still open but this sign warns the mountain climbers that there is snow in the area.

5. Inaccessible The trail can't be accessed because of closure and road damage on the trails and the roads that are leading to it.