Imagine an ordinary sandpile, on which you drop a few sand grains at a time. It builds up and up until, with the addition of only a few grains, the whole thing comes sliding down in… an avalanche. That scenario is even more true of huge rocks slides and snow collapses.

The reason is that the forces that keep layers of rock or snow together are generally hidden from view, and a small change can trigger a big reaction. Those changes are the result of millions of tiny adjustments as the pressure and temperature change. At a certain point, the ever present force of gravity overcomes forces keeping them in place and part of the mountain comes crashing down.

Those changes are more likely during transition periods, at daybreak or as the spring thaw arrives, for example. But they are occurring all the time and, since you never know what the status of the mountain and forces acting on it are, continual caution is called for.

Paranoia is not beneficial. For one thing, it muddies your thinking and slows your reactions. But be alert. Look for the signs of impending problems. And – most important of all – stay out of harms way as much as possible. Those are the keys to a safe climb.

When you’re moving to a destination up a slope, maintain some lateral distance between members of the group. It’s tragic when even one life is lost, but this technique has many times prevented one tragedy from becoming large scale and taking out an entire party. Also, the odds are much higher that someone trapped can be freed if others are able to react quickly. If everyone is buried, the result is almost certainly a disaster.

Avoid any snow covered area where heavy snowfall or rain has occurred recently. Avalanches are much more likely where a top layer is loose and rain acts to loosen the bonds underneath.

Convex slopes represent a greater risk than concave slopes. One that’s concave could be a natural feature or it could be that combined with the fact that snow has already avalanched. But a concave area is a clear sign that there’s less snow to fall, or it’s already fallen.

Avalanches are much more likely on smooth ground. Try to move in areas with known useful ground cover and terrain. Grass, rock slabs and bushes help keep lower layers stable. Trees allow snow to pile up and take the impact of moving snow when it does slide. Boulders make very effective ground for lowering the odds of an avalanche.

The angle of the slope plays a large part. Flat ground may experience wind-driven snow drift, but can’t avalanche. Very steep ground doesn’t accumulate much snow. What falls on it falls easily away. But ground between 25-40 degrees represents a relatively much higher risk.

Knowing the terrain and conditions can’t eliminate the possibility of rock slide or snow avalanche. But they help improve your chances of not being the next victim.

AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)

The percentage of oxygen in air decreases with altitude. Breathing it has health consequences, one of which is various forms of AMS. The symptoms range from mild headache and fatigue to dangerous levels of fluid in the lungs or the brain.

In more extreme cases HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Edema) occurs, making breathing difficult. It can be fatal. HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) is a similar condition in which fluid builds up in the brain rather than (or at the same time as) the lungs. As the brain swells from the increased fluid, pressure rises inside the skull, resulting in impaired judgment and sometimes death.

Simple dizziness even from mild cases can lead to a serious injury or a fatal fall. Insomnia, one of the common results, causes sleep deprivation, producing reduced reflexes and dulled thinking. Nausea is one of the less dangerous results, but even that can lead to dehydration, which is problematic during a climb.

Fevers are not unknown among the cluster of conditions. At the least that can spoil the pleasure of a climb. At high altitudes it can result in permanent harm or even death. Comas are a real possibility.

The risk and the severity of altitude sickness can be curtailed. It occurs when the rate of ascent is more rapid than the body can adjust to. It’s more likely at higher elevations, such as above 8,000 feet (2440 m) and when the rate of ascent is greater than about 1,000 feet (328 m) per day.

Taking the climb more slowly, not overexerting and taking plenty of fluids can help. Carrying a small oxygen bottle for supplemental supply can be helpful if used judiciously. Avoid any intake of alcohol in high altitudes, since that will make the condition more likely and worse.

Once symptoms occur, taper activity off sharply. Take Acetaminophen for headache, but don’t take sleeping pills for insomnia. Be prepared to descend if the situation doesn’t improve quickly. For high mountain climbs, it’s often desirable to carry along a portable hyperbaric chamber to simulate lower altitudes as a treatment.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when tissue, usually closer to the skin surface and at the extremities, is damaged by excessive or prolonged exposure to low temperatures. The resulting tissue damage is painful – starting as a sensation of being stabbed by needles. If not treated, or in severe cases, it can lead to permanent nerve damage and even the need for amputation.

It’s critical during high climbs or in cold conditions to take precautions against Frostbite.

Dressing appropriately is the first step. Well-insulated boots with the right socks will help protect feet. Waterproofing is important, since any moisture will create a ‘tunnel’ for heat exchange that increases the danger.

Good gloves are equally important, in order to protect the hands and fingers. Extremities are the more likely victims since the body’s natural response to extreme cold is to tighten blood vessels there in order to preserve interior body temperature.

Heat is readily lost through the scalp, so a warm hat is important to keep overall body temperature at appropriate levels. But that is more an issue of hypothermia in general, rather than Frostbite in particular. However, any exterior body part can become frostbitten.

Before you take a high altitude or cold climb, be sure you know the risks and take precautions. Climbing can be a great adventure, provided you prevent it from becoming a tragedy.

Through a good climbing class students can learn about the basic categories and styles of climbing.

Bouldering is a great way to get started, for example. More difficult than it sounds, a rock face or boulder a few meters high can be a safe way to practice hanging, pro placement, roping techniques and more.

Trad (traditional) climbing is what everyone sees in the movies. Ropes, harnesses, pitons, cams and other gear are used to provide safety as the climber makes his or her way to the top. But sport climbing is increasingly popular. Using pre-placed bolts and other equipment, climbers can spend more time on the climb and less on the technicalities. Aid climbing takes the idea to its limit, and ice climbing takes it to the extreme.

All these styles are discussed in a good class and many experienced instructors have done most of them. They can provide you with the benefits and drawbacks from their own personal knowledge.

They’ll also give you lots of good advice, and a few interesting stories, about locations and routes. Many experienced instructors have climbed the Canadian Rockies. They have been to El Capitan or South Dakota. They’ve seen the Alps up close and know what the conditions in Scotland are like. Knowing which are best for beginners can save you time, money and grief.

Before you get there, instructors will make sure you know how to top rope, how to place a cam or nut, and how to belay and rappel. They’ll make sure you understand the importance of good foot work and get lots of practice on the climbing wall. They’ll show you the advantages of locking carabiners and the different styles of harness. Then, again, they’ll give you plenty of guidance as you practice with them yourself.

If you plan to visit a snow-packed area, or one that’s prone to earthquakes, many instructors will be able to give good advice about avalanche risks, what to look for and what to avoid.

Search the Internet for your local area, ask friends and try out a few climbing gyms. Ask about travel guide/climbing schools for a planned vacation. Sooner or later you’ll find a course that fits your needs. The sooner you do, the quicker you can get out to experience the real thing: the pinnacle of adventure, mountain climbing.