Exposure

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Technically simple but exposed ridge

Exposure is a term used in alpinism . Those parts of a path or a climbing route are called exposed where there is a high risk of injury in the event of a fall due to the steepness of the terrain. If such routes are taken unsecured, a high degree of surefootedness is required, as a misstep can result in a large fall. Committing such passages may vertigo have the effect and thus be dangerous for those affected. The term exposure is sometimes used synonymously .

Transferred, the term is then also used for strongly protruding building structures, such as balconies or viewing platforms , extreme skywalks for example. As a tourist attraction, these convey the feeling of a mountaineer in an easily accessible way.

Medical and psychological aspects

Exposed passages of a path or a route can become serious problems for participants in a mountain trip, both due to a lack of a head for heights and fear . What is already felt to be emotionally exposed by some people may seem completely irrelevant to others. In critical situations it is therefore necessary either to turn around or to overcome the exposed areas using suitable safety measures such as rope- supported climbing protection or fixed ropes . The "tingling in the stomach" on exposed passages is reduced by getting used to it, even experienced mountaineers often have to get used to it at the beginning of the season.

Unclear delimitation

From when a path or climbing passage is designated as exposed is unclear in the literature. There are no limit values ​​such as the angle of inclination of the terrain, wall heights and the nature of a ridge . Each author uses the term exposure in route descriptions individually.

Individual evidence

  1. Olaf Perwitzschky, Dieter Seibert: hiking, mountain climbing. Alpine textbook. Page 71, Bergverlag Rother , Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-7633-6032-1 ( online )
  2. ^ Pepi Stückl, Georg Sojer: Mountaineering: Textbook for all types of mountaineering. Page 26, Bruckmann, Munich 1996, ISBN 3-7654-2859-0