Abstract

It is argued here that the mountain experience is evolving and that current climbing practices are at a point where the pursuit of mountains is becoming increasingly altered by technology. Such alteration requires addressing since it is unclear to what extent the use of technology enables or prevents specific kinds of mountain experience. Whilst acknowledging that technology can enable a greater variety of climbing experiences, it must also be accepted that technology can change climbing and mountaineering into pursuits that might be considered as merely technological endeavours – experiences that have become sheltered and made safe by technology. Thus, the appropriateness of technological development in climbing and mountaineering remains unclear.