Climbing: from History to World Records
Climbing is a journey undertaken in pristine places with a certain altitude. Usually, climbing is done on hills to mountains. The purposes of climbing vary, ranging from hobbies, exercising, to relaxation after a tiring work.
With its geographical shape featuring many highlands, there are many climbing activities in Indonesia. Climbers compete to conquer mountains throughout Indonesia, from Merapi, Slamet, to Rinjani. The climbing terrain is certainly not easy as it is winding, full of bushes, and often must pass through rain in the mountains.
Actually, where does this climbing activity originate? The following explanations can help you better understand climbing activities.
History of Climbing in the World
In the 13th and 14th centuries, there were still many mountains that could not be touched by humans, even isolated. Until the end of the 19th century, Antoine de Ville made the first mountain climb in the world, specifically in 1492 at Mont Aiguille. At that time, he was ordered by Charles VII of France to measure the scale of the mountain that had not been touched by humans, which was later named Mont Aiguille.
Because at that time the mountain regions were still thick with religious affairs and meteorological research, Antoine's team hoped to meet a God at the mountain peak. However, they only found a vast expanse of grassland. Since then, mountain climbing activities seem to have become a favorite activity among the public.
Until 1852, mountain climbing was an academic activity. Experts competed to measure the heights of mountain peaks for research. They were even amazed that there was a peak in Irian located on the equator, but there was snow there. In this year, the height of Everest was recorded at 8,848 meters above sea level with several changes after several climbs.
Two years later, the purpose of climbing peaks changed from academic research to a sporting event. This was spearheaded by Alfred Wills who placed a marker in the Alps, namely at the Wetterhorn Peak, indicating that he was the one who led this historic event. Then three years later, in 1857, the first climbing club was formed in England called the Alpine Club.
History of Mountain Climbing in Indonesia
While in Europe mountain climbing for academic purposes was recognized by the end of the 14th century, in Indonesia it was only established as the beginning of climbing activities in the mid-20th century. However, the introduction of mountains with snowy peaks in Irian was already known in the mid-17th century.
The year 1964 is recorded as the formation of nature lovers groups in Indonesia established by students, namely Mapala UI in Jakarta and Wanadri in Bandung. That year, the Carstensz Peak in Irian, with an altitude of 4,884 meters above sea level, was successfully conquered by Japanese climbers along with 3 members of the military, namely Fred Athaboe, Sudarto, and Suginin who were part of the Cendrawasih Expedition.
After that year, many climbing activities were carried out on mountains in Indonesia. Until then, in 1971, Mapala UI successfully reached the Jaya Wijaya Peak, carried out by members of Mapala UI and several people outside the group.
In sad news, in 1987, chaos occurred during climbing activities. Four members of the Aranyacala Expedition group established by Trisakti University died on their way to Jaya Wijaya Peak. This was due to a group of troublemakers from Irian attacking them during the climbing journey. Other news also came from the Wanadri Expedition which failed to reach the Vasuki Parbat Peak in India.
World Records in Mountain Climbing
In 1987, a world record was set by Jerzy Kukuczka, a Polish man who climbed 14 of the highest mountains in the world in 8 years. An amazing feat as he conquered 14 mountains with an altitude of 8,000 meters above sea level. However, this record was broken in 2019 by Nirmal Purja.
Nirmal Purja is a former marine from the UK. He successfully reached the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world in just 7 months. He started on April 23 and finished on October 29. The 36-year-old man began his climbing career in 2012 and successfully conquered Everest for the first time.
Unlike Nirmal Purja who conquered 14 highest peaks, Viridiana Alvarez Chavez only conquered 3 highest peaks in August 2020. However, Chavez set a world record as the fastest female climber in one year. Chavez, who is indeed an athlete, has been training since she was 28 years old and finally managed to record her name in the Guinness World Record at the age of 36. The woman from Mexico took the record from Go Misun, a climber from South Korea, who climbed 3 highest mountains in 2 years and 2 days in 2007.
In September 2020, Russian athlete Yevgeny Makarov broke the world record as the fastest climber of the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, with an altitude of 5,642 meters above sea level, in 3 hours and 12 minutes. An amazing record previously held in 3 hours and 23 minutes by Andrzej Bargiel, a Polish athlete, in August 2010.
These amazing records in the world of climbing will certainly continue to be updated as mountain climbing remains an activity worth trying by anyone. Young or old, men or women, everyone can climb.
Thorough Preparation for Mountain Climbing
Although now mountain climbing activities are carried out by many people, climbing remains an activity that cannot be done carelessly. Many things must be considered by climbers, especially regarding physical readiness. Especially when the targeted mountain to be climbed is a very high mountain with difficult climbing terrain.
Like the incident of the death of climbers from Mapala UI who died due to a storm while climbing Mount Aconcagua, other incidents can also occur due to natural conditions or the negligence of climbers. Therefore, climbers must really prepare themselves thoroughly for safety before, during, and after the climb.
Climbers must prepare their physical condition thoroughly. Mountain climbing is not the same as walking in the park or even strolling around shopping places. Regular exercise to improve physical strength must be done for endurance during the climb. Study the mountain to be climbed, how difficult the terrain is, the weather conditions there, and the distance of the posts provided at the mountain location.
Supplies must be considered. Food, drinks, and other necessities such as clothing. Don't bring too much as it can burden you during the climb. Pay attention to the tent that will be used for camping on the mountain, try to bring a tent with multiple layers so that it can withstand storms since wind and rain conditions cannot be predicted. Don't forget to bring personal medication as a precaution when the body feels unwell.
How about it? Is mountain climbing an interesting activity for you? If so, don't forget to prepare both physically and mentally even if you have often climbed. Also pay attention to the members of the climbing group because mountain climbing is a team activity, it cannot be done individually.
Happy climbing! Respect nature so that nature respects you too!
Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa
