How high is a mountain?
31st July 2014
How high does it have to be to be a mountain?
Sometimes this is not even a question that would enter the mind. That huge, snow covered and rock strewn, pointed tower that ascends into the clouds needs no debate. Even the relatively flat topped bulk of Kilimanjaro, that rises from the Tanzanian plains, requires not even a second thought.
Obviously these examples are huge geological objects, but what about less obvious, smaller, but still challenging high ground found in the UK. Again, many summits are clearly a mountain. If you have ever ascended the slopes of our highest tops, such as Ben Nevis, Snowden, Scafell, Cairngorm, etc (and not exclusively these) you would consider them mountains. But why?
They are rocky, they offer challenge - mental as well as physical as their is an element of risk in reaching the tops and safely returning. Certainly in foul weather these uplands are both demanding and dangerous. The many accidents and deaths are an obvious, and sad, demonstration of this fact.
But what of say Lingmoor, that sits astride both Little and Great Langdale? This modest Fell only rises to an maximum height of 469m (1539ft) and is surrounded by much loftier and rocky 'mountains'.
Walk to the summit on a warm, clear summers day and you will suffer no more than having to breath hard, as the main paths are on wide, clear slopes. However, walk this way in snow, or hard rain and strong winds then you will be glad to reach the relative comfort of the valley floor. In fact I have slipped and slid my way off of Lingmoor on many occasions. Every step was precarious as, though not a big fall would result, but big enough to twist an ankle, break a leg, etc. If I experienced this misfortune it would either take me hours to painfully make my way back to the valley, or (assuming I had a mobile phone signal, which is unlikely) a couple of hours for any rescuers to reach me. Meantime I would be in severe pain and getting colder and colder. Then you would suddenly feel a long, long way from anywhere and the modest height would now seem more akin to a large mountain.
So how high does it have to be to be a mountain?
Sometimes this is not even a question that would enter the mind. That huge, snow covered and rock strewn, pointed tower that ascends into the clouds needs no debate. Even the relatively flat topped bulk of Kilimanjaro, that rises from the Tanzanian plains, requires not even a second thought.
Obviously these examples are huge geological objects, but what about less obvious, smaller, but still challenging high ground found in the UK. Again, many summits are clearly a mountain. If you have ever ascended the slopes of our highest tops, such as Ben Nevis, Snowden, Scafell, Cairngorm, etc (and not exclusively these) you would consider them mountains. But why?
They are rocky, they offer challenge - mental as well as physical as their is an element of risk in reaching the tops and safely returning. Certainly in foul weather these uplands are both demanding and dangerous. The many accidents and deaths are an obvious, and sad, demonstration of this fact.
But what of say Lingmoor, that sits astride both Little and Great Langdale? This modest Fell only rises to an maximum height of 469m (1539ft) and is surrounded by much loftier and rocky 'mountains'.
Walk to the summit on a warm, clear summers day and you will suffer no more than having to breath hard, as the main paths are on wide, clear slopes. However, walk this way in snow, or hard rain and strong winds then you will be glad to reach the relative comfort of the valley floor. In fact I have slipped and slid my way off of Lingmoor on many occasions. Every step was precarious as, though not a big fall would result, but big enough to twist an ankle, break a leg, etc. If I experienced this misfortune it would either take me hours to painfully make my way back to the valley, or (assuming I had a mobile phone signal, which is unlikely) a couple of hours for any rescuers to reach me. Meantime I would be in severe pain and getting colder and colder. Then you would suddenly feel a long, long way from anywhere and the modest height would now seem more akin to a large mountain.
So how high does it have to be to be a mountain?