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The climb of Gasherbrum IV's (7,925 m) 'Shining Wall' in 1985 by Voytek Kurtyka and Robert Schauer is considered one of the greatest mountaineering achievements in the twentieth century, even though the two climbers did not reach the summit. The article explores three ways of understanding mountaineering without the objective of reaching the summit. I start with a game-playing approach and then a view on mountaineering that takes its inspiration from deep ecology and argue that while both have the potential for explaining important aspects of mountaineering, neither will fully account for the value of climbing mountains without summiting. Finally, I argue that we can supplement either of these two views with a radically different way of understanding mountaineering, which involves creating and appreciating a work of art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In La Moitié de la Gloire, Axel Mayenfisch's documentary about the 1952 Swiss expedition to Chomolungma (Mount Everest), André Roch recalls how the retreating climbers simply abandoned much of their gear, either leaving it where it was or "throwing it into holes [crevasses]." Roch's tale was by no means unusual, as mountaineers at that time gave little thought to what became of their waste. By the 1970s, however, climbers were becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment. The resulting change of attitude led many mountaineering organizations to take concrete steps to protect the mountains (e.g., cleanup campaigns) and to issue waste management guidelines for trips into the high mountains. The Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme 1982 Kathmandu Declaration—a charter of ten principles for achieving greater harmony with the mountain environment—was an important milestone in this process. Drawing on documents held in the extensive archives of the Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme, the current paper retraces the path that led to the Kathmandu Declaration and the process by which the environment became an important aspect of the aforementioned organization's work. It also examines the hypothesis that the organization has progressively adopted a conservationist stance toward protecting nature; its aim is to reconcile environmental protection and economic development (especially tourism). The history of the Kathmandu Declaration supports this hypothesis, as it shows how the notion of sustainable development, which emerged in the 1980s, came to dominate conceptions of mountain protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sports associations have a special relationship with natural landscapes. In the second half of the twentieth century, a number of organizations positioned themselves as defenders of the natural environment against the development of tourism and sports leisure facilities. They attempted to tackle the problem of over-equipment of natural areas. This research is based on a study of two outdoor institutions, the Centre Nautique des Glénans (CNG) and the Club Alpin Français (CAF). Despite their different pasts and proposed activities, both have been involved in landscape and environmental protection throughout their history. This can be seen in the way both associations integrate their facilities into the landscape, as well as in the work they do to raise their members' awareness of environmental preservation as part of their sporting activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ski mountaineering sprint competitions are short individual races involving 3 uphill sections (U), 3 transitions (T), and a final descent. To date, relatively little is known about this novel Olympic discipline, and here we examined (1) the contribution of the time spent on U, T, and final descent to overall finishing time and (2) the potential relationships with final ranking. During the different rounds of 2 International Ski Mountaineering Federation World Cup sprint competitions, male and female ski mountaineers were video recorded. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of U, T, and final descent on the best overall finishing time. Linear-mixed model analysis was applied to explore potential interactions between section times, rounds, and final ranking. Overall, U (r =.90–.97) and T (r =.57–.89) were closely correlated with the best overall finishing time (all P <.05). U explained approximately 80% to 90% of the variation in the best finishing time for both sexes, with U + T explaining approximately 95% to 98% of this variation. In each successive round, the ski mountaineers eliminated were all slower on U than the Top 3 (all P <.05). The fastest skiers increased their performance on U in the later rounds of the competitions, while those eliminated showed a tendency toward a decrease. Our findings reveal that world-class sprint ski mountaineers conduct transitions optimally and perform effectively uphill. Training for such competitions should aim to improve short supramaximal uphill performance (∼1.5–2.5 min), ensuring that this does not decline with multiple efforts. These insights into ski mountaineering sprint performance are of considerable value in connection with training for the 2026 Winter Olympics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

À partir des années cinquante, l'alpinisme connaît une évolution éthique et idéologique. Icône de cette période, Lionel Terray promeut un modèle performatif dont les soubassements se situent dans son parcours. Alors que les Premières constituaient un objectif majeur, désormais, le record devient légitime. Cette nouvelle conception va contribuer à ériger le style alpin en modèle de référence. Mobilisant des données issues des revues fédérales de l'univers montagnard, de la presse généraliste et des comptes-rendus d'expédition, cette étude saisit les fondements de l'évolution de l'alpinisme au regard du positionnement de Lionel Terray. Il amorce sa sportivisation par l'intermédiaire de la rationalisation de sa pratique comme de l'évolution des objectifs. L'émergence de cette conception sportive et performative repose sur des innovations matérielles et conceptuelles qui infléchissent les usages, et dont L. Terray a contribué à leur diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel method for evaluating the submaximal velocity-force (V(F)) relationship in mountain ultramarathon races using crowdsourced data from Strava.com. The dataset includes positional data from 408 participants of the 171-km UTMB® 2023 race (9,850-m D+). The race was divided into 100-m segments. The mean net propulsive force and velocity were computed for each segment to describe the submaximal V(F) relationship as a rational function of three parameters. F1: propulsive force at 1 m · s−1; V0: theoretical maximum velocity on flat terrain; C: curvature parameter (the lower C, the more linear the V(F) relationship). The V(F) profile parameters were found to be F1 = 1.80 ± 0.33 N · kg−1, V0 = 2.36 ± 0.42 m · s−1, and C = 0.66 ± 1.81, with good independence between the parameters within a group of homogeneous performance. The best athletes had the highest F1, V0, and C values. V(F) parameters were affected by fatigue during the race, with decreases of 20.9%, 32.0%, and 59.8% between the first and second parts of the race respectively. These findings suggest that the V(F) relationship is an interesting original approach for studying performance and fatigability during mountain ultra-endurance races. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Law enforcement is a profession of sedentary physical activity interspersed with physically demanding activity that requires high levels of fitness. It is imperative that agencies training law enforcement recruits maximise their fitness during their time at the academy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physical fitness during academy training. METHODS: Retrospective data for 10 academy recruit classes, totalling 715 participants, were collected from a US law enforcement agency. The change in performance on two standardised tests were used as outcome measures. Comparisons were made between percentiles utilising one-way ANOVA and a linear mixed model (LMM). RESULTS: Overall, higher percentiles were found to have smaller improvements in physical fitness than lower percentiles. The results of the LMM support this supposition, showing that lower physical fitness scores resulted in greater improvements in a generalised fitness assessment (value = –0.45, standard error 0.02, p < 0.001) and an occupational assessment (value = –0.49, standard error = 0.02, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that recruits with lower physical fitness will see greater improvements during academy training. This could be due to a ceiling effect for the more fit but may also be due to recruits of higher physical fitness being under trained during academy. Utilising ability-based training and prescribing an appropriate workload to recruits of higher fitness may improve overall recruit fitness upon graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the narratives of three deceased high-altitude mountaineers who lost their lives while climbing in the Greater Himalaya. These individuals were participants in part of a larger ethnographic study on 'Tourism in the Death Zone' conducted over the space of 150 days fieldwork in Pakistan and Nepal in 2019. The paper seeks to explore how these participants depth of immersion in the 'social world' of high-altitude mountaineering eventually lead to their deaths. To do so, the phenomenological concept of the lifeworld [lebenswelt] is utilized to show how the participants lived realities and aspirations became entwined with high-altitude mountaineering – a serious leisure community. Previously, the connection between the lifeworld and serious leisure viewed within the context of extreme risk taking and possible death, has not been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor physical activities and sports are growing in popularity: number of practitioners and professionals are increasing and number of active sport tourism businesses has multiplied. All these activities have become officialised, have grown into an emerging industry and play a powerful role as an economic driver. Qualified instructors are needed, as well as quality training for these professionals. This study focuses on climbing, mountaineering and winter sports instructor qualifications. Drawing on Bernstein's framework of the pedagogic device and with a particular focus on marketisation of education and professionalisation of sport, the purpose of this research is to explore the following questions: (a) How do stakeholders perceive the current mountaineering, climbing and winter sports curriculum and what are the main lines of improvement of the curriculum? (b) Does the curriculum meet the knowledge required by instructors in their occupations? And (c) What is the logic and awareness underlying the construction of the curriculum? Following a social-constructivist paradigm, in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out, with a sample of 46 key involved stakeholders. The data coding approach and theme development were done both inductively and deductively and with a latent and semantic focus, following thematic analysis. Participants specify clear lines of improvement of qualifications: stakeholders involved in curricular updating, the general structure of qualifications, admission tests, assessment, internships, model of the teacher and also highlighted some training gaps to be resolved due to qualifications breakdown. It is noted that curriculum updating follows a 'top-down' policy demand, that there is a marketisation of the qualifications that is evident in admission tests, assessment and internships. This study provides a critical and in-depth analysis based on the views of a variety of stakeholders that should be taken into consideration for the improvement of the curriculum of climbing, mountaineering and winter sports instructors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This essay replies to Phillip Reichling's recent article in this journal defending a principle of rescue I proposed, but rejected, in my paper, 'Climbing high and letting die' (2021). I argued that 'the comparable risk principle' imposes unreasonable demands on adventure sport athletes, for it implies that because they assume substantial risks for sport, they have duties to assume comparable risks to rescue others – duties that would otherwise be supererogatory precisely because of the risks involved. Reichling (2022) defends the principle and contends that once these athletes have assumed substantial risks for sport, they cannot reasonably claim that a rescue that involves comparable risks is too risky. I argue here, however, that Reichling fails to recognize that one can have good personal reasons for assuming risks that do not prevent one from reasonably citing comparable risks as a justification for not rescuing others. So although adventure sport athletes assume risks for personal reasons, it does not follow that they have a duty to assume comparable risks to rescue others. Reichling's defence of the comparable risk principle is therefore unsuccessful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To optimize the recovery phase between heats in ski-mountaineering sprint competitions, this study investigated whether an active recovery protocol on an ergocycle could improve subsequent performance compared with a self-selected recovery strategy. Methods: Thirteen elite ski mountaineers (9 men and 4 women) performed 3 sprints with 2 different recovery conditions (Ergo vs Free) in a randomized order. The Ergo condition involved a 10-minute constant-intensity exercise on an ergocycle performed at 70% of maximum heart rate. For the Free condition, the athlete was asked to self-select modality. At the end of the third sprint, a passive recovery (seated) was prescribed for both protocols. Sprint performance (time) and physiological parameters (lactate concentration [La], heart rate [HR], and rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) were recorded from each sprint and recovery phase. Results: In the Ergo vs Free protocols, sprint times (177 [24] s vs 176 [23] s; P =.63), recovery average HR (70% [2.9%] vs 71% [5.2%] of maximal HR), and RPE (16.7 [1.5] vs 16.8 [1.5]; P =.81) were not significantly different. However, [La] decreased more after Ergo (−2.9 [1.8] mmol·L−1) and Free (−2.8 [1.8] mmol·L−1) conditions compared with passive recovery (−1.1 [1.6] mmol·L−1; P <.05). Conclusions: The use of an ergocycle between heat sprints in ski mountaineering does not provide additional benefits compared with a recovery strategy freely chosen by the athletes. However, active conditions provide a faster [La] reduction compared with passive recovery and seem to be a more suitable strategy between multiple-heat sprints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a hierarchical game approach for grid-forming energy storage to participate in the operational optimization of integrated energy systems. Few studies are on the operational optimization of integrated energy systems with grid-forming energy storage. The microgrid operator is the upper-level leader, and the grid-forming energy storage and user aggregator are the lower-level follower to consider the operation cost, power trading, demand-side management, and voltage supportability. An improved mountaineering team-based optimization (IMTBO) algorithm is proposed based on chaotic mapping for dispersive search to improve the model search effect. The results showed that the IMTBO can reduce the voltage deviation by 23.77% compared to the control case that improves the operational efficiency of the integrated energy system and the distribution network, and rationally optimizes the power allocation and energy price in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to expand the existing QUEST database of accurate vertical transition energies [Véril et al. WIREs Comput. Mol. Sci.2021, 11, e1517], we have modeled more than 100 electronic excited states of different natures (local, charge‐transfer, Rydberg, singlet, and triplet) in a dozen of mono‐ and di‐substituted benzenes, including aniline, benzonitrile, chlorobenzene, fluorobenzene, nitrobenzene, among others. To establish theoretical best estimates for these vertical excitation energies, we have employed advanced coupled‐cluster methods including iterative triples (CC3 and CCSDT) and, when technically possible, iterative quadruples (CC4). These high‐level computational approaches provide a robust foundation for benchmarking a series of popular wave function methods. The evaluated methods all include contributions from double excitations (ADC(2), CC2, CCSD, CIS(D), EOM‐MP2, STEOM‐CCSD), along with schemes that also incorporate perturbative or iterative triples (ADC(3), CCSDR(3), CCSD(T)(a) ⋆, and CCSDT‐3). This systematic exploration not only broadens the scope of the QUEST database but also facilitates a rigorous assessment of different theoretical approaches in the framework of a homologous chemical series, offering valuable insights into the accuracy and reliability of these methods in such cases. We found that both ADC(2.5) and CCSDT‐3 can provide very consistent estimates, whereas among less expensive methods SCS‐CC2 is likely the most effective approach. Importantly, we show that some lower order methods may offer reasonable trends in the homologous series while providing quite large average errors, and vice versa. Consequently, benchmarking the accuracy of a model based solely on absolute transition energies may not be meaningful for applications involving a series of similar compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juliusz Dutkiewicz (1834-1908) was an ethnographic and mountaineering photographer of the greater Pokuttia region and its people. His images captured the interest of a bourgeoning circle of scholars who were eager to describe and promote the Carpathian Mountains, and the region's diverse ethnographic communities, for imperial, urban, and/or national readers and tourists. Dutkiewicz's photographs served as ethnographic sources and sightseeing souvenirs. The considerable circulation, dissemination and imitation of this photographer's images throughout the turn of the 20th century helped create the visual idea of the Carpathians across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's vast geographical diversity provides plenty of scope for the Adventure sports. Adventure sports is an unusual experience or course of events marked by excitement, thrill and suspense. The British systematized the concept of adventure as a tool towards meeting an end leading to the birth of the Outward-Bound movement. It is about taking on challenges, meeting the unknown but more importantly it is about learning. Learning about ourselves and most of all about our potential, a stressbuster in the race of life. In order to get rid of the trauma of exams, career and results the best way to de-stress oneself is ADVENTURE SPORTS. Besides providing leisure time, it gives us eternal pleasure and calmness. Through this one can understand one's capabilities and talents, further valuing oneself. It encourages us to think about our own betterment. Adventure sports give us enthusiasm and courage to explore our hidden potentials in ourselves. Adventure sports stimulate balanced growth of body and mind. Thus, adventure sports are a tool, a magic wind that transforms the "CHICKEN HEART" into a "DARE - DEVIL. The study is to explore the potentials for Adventure sports in India. The study shall also try to find out the different types of adventure sports conducted in India. It is a matter of great concern to highlights the parameters of the adventure sports in its entire perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the influence of local tourism infrastructure on sustainable behavior. Methodology: A survey was conducted with 209 tourists visiting five cities located in the northeast region of Brazil, encompassing different types of nature tourism such as climbing mountains, taking sunbath, and going to the beach. Through Exploratory Factor Analysis, the collected data were analyzed to reduce the number of variables and group them into factors. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of constructs related to local infrastructure on sustainable behavior in nature tourism travel. Findings: The results indicate that the sociocultural and ecological dimensions of local infrastructure positively influence the behavior of tourists on nature trips, while public policies' dimension was not appropriately captured in the study. Practical implications: The research findings can be useful for public managers to improve tourism infrastructure more effectively, induce tourists towards sustainable behavior, and thus achieve sustainable tourism. Originality/value: The study expanded the understanding of sustainable behavior in travel by revealing the dimensions of local infrastructure that positively influence it. It also highlighted the importance of educational actions that promote a local culture of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the second contribution from Dresden, unlike in the three other interviews, the interviewee does not have management responsibility for research and/or service-oriented information organisation (library). Markus Walter is responsible for a travel company and his own highly demanding, high-alpine travel ventures. At the end of the interview on 8 June 2023, Walter formulated his own conclusion as follows: "You always have to differentiate between mistakes that you are allowed to make, yes, and you also have to consciously allow them, because you learn a lot from mistakes in particular, and mistakes that you are not allowed to make." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Elite and recreational climbers may be at risk for disordered eating, low energy availability (LEA), and increased injury as a result. Social media use among athlete and non-athletes can lead to body image disturbances resulting in unhealthy weight loss practices exacerbating LEA and injury risk. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine relationships between social comparative behaviors on social media, body type ideals and outcomes, and health behaviors among adult recreational climbers. Methods: Participants (n = 324) were adult recreational climbers from the U.S. (29.30 ± 9.99 years old and 50% female). Participants answered a 66-item questionnaire comprised of demographics, climbing characteristics, social media behaviors, body type ideals, training and nutrition-seeking behaviors, and weight and food tracking behaviors. Results: Most participants (78.7%) indicated strength-to-weight ratio was important for climbing performance. Many participants perceived they could perform better at rock climbing if their body proportions were different (59.3%). These body type ideals were found to be significant predictors of performing weight loss and food-tracking behaviors (all p < 0.001). Higher amounts of social comparative behaviors on social media and social physique anxiety independently and significantly predicted attempting weight loss to improve climbing ability (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). Those who followed climbing influencers, used Instagram frequently for training and nutrition information, perceived they could perform better at rock climbing if their body proportions were different, or were female and college-aged had significantly higher mean social comparative behavior scores (all p < 0.01). Discussion: This study expands on prior work with elite climbers by providing a possible explanation for how climbing-related body type ideals and certain social media behaviors can perpetuate negative body image and compensatory behaviors among a general climbing population. Because unhealthy weight management behaviors can lead to injury and health disturbances, broad education programming and social media campaigns should be developed to shift body ideals and nutrition behaviors among recreational climbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to high altitude might cause the body to adapt with negative energy and fluid balance that compromise body composition and physical performance. In this field study involving 12 healthy adults, sex-balanced, and aged 29 ± 4 years with a body mass index of 21.6 ± 1.8 kg/m2, we investigated the effects of a 4-day trekking up to 4556 m a.s.l. on Monte Rosa (Alps, Italy). The food intake was recorded using food diaries and nutrient averages were calculated. The bio-impedance analysis was performed at low and high altitudes, and a wearable biosensor (Swemax) was used to track hydro-saline losses in two participants. Daily total energy intake was 3348 ± 386 kcal for males and 2804 ± 415 kcal for females (13%–14% protein, 35% fat, 44%–46% carbohydrates). Although there was a significant body weight loss (65.0 ± 9.3 vs. 64.2 ± 9.10 kg, p < 0.001, d = 1.398), no significant changes in body composition parameter were found but a trend in the increase of the bioelectrical phase angle in males (p = 0.059, d = −0.991). Body water percentage significantly changed (p = 0.026, η2p = 0.440), but the absolute water did not, suggesting that the weight loss was not due to water loss. Salivary and urinary osmolality did not change. A reduction in sweat rate at higher altitudes was observed in both participants. Interestingly, salivary leptin increased (p = 0.014, η2p = 0.510), and salivary ghrelin decreased (p = 0.036, η2p = 0.403). Therefore, the 4-day trekking at altitude of hypoxia exposure induced changes in satiety and appetite hormones. High altitude expeditions require more specific nutritional guidance, and using multiplex analysis could help in monitoring fluid balance and body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To test the safety and feasibility of a challenging wild trekking 5-day experience and its acute effects on anthropometrics and cardiorespiratory and muscular performance in healthy older adults with mountaineering expertise. Methods: Twelve healthy active volunteers in their sixth decade of life of comparable training status, mountaineering experience and age were recruited. Before and after engaging in a 5-day wild trek ("Selvaggio Blu", Sardinia, Italy), participants underwent a comprehensive evaluation of anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and flexibility, balance, and lipidic profile. Results: The wild trekking was well tolerated by all participants who, however, reported moderate pain at the ankle joint (mean: 59.2 ± 13.1 mm). Following the trek, suprailiac fold decreased both in men (− 21.9%; p = 0.006) and women (− 34.5%; p = 0.007). Fat mass was also significantly reduced (men: − 8.5%; p = 0.001; women: − 6.6%; p = 0.014). Gender-based differences emerged for energy expenditure, with women displaying higher caloric expenditure to complete the trek (women: 12.88 ± 3.37 kcal/h/kg; men: 9.27 ± 0.89 kcal/h/kg). Likewise, VO2 peak increased only in women (+ 12%; p = 0.013). Center of pressure sway area during closed eyes single stance was found increased, i.e., worsened, both in men (+ 251%; p = 0.027) and women (+ 71%; p = 0.043). Conclusions: With all due caution, especially for balance and proprioception, wild trekking routes offer unique opportunities to rapidly improve anthropometrics, cardiorespiratory and muscular performance. For older adults with technical and physical preparedness for this type of demanding activity, wild trekking has the potential to evolve from a niche activity for alpine mountaineers into a safe and feasible recreational activity and leisure pursuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk analysis is essential for promoting hiking-based tourism. Our objective in the present study was to map 395 mountain hikers' positions on risk judgment and risk taking, according to how they integrated three antecedent factors of confidence (environment, team, and self). For integrating information, people can develop an additive rule whereby they apply the same weight to all information or use interaction rules (i.e., conjunctive or disjunctive), to give different weights to information. In the questionnaire our participants completed, there were eight scenarios that combined the three confidence antecedent factors as information cues. We applied cluster analysis, repeated-measures analyses of variance, chi-square tests, and bivariate correlation analyses to the questionnaire results to identify three participant risk positions. In the first risk position (cluster 1), participants used a disjunctive integration rule for both risk judgment and risk taking. In the second risk position (Clusters 2 and 4), they used an additive integration rule for risk judgment while they used a disjunctive integration rule for risk taking. In the third risk position (cluster 3), they used an additive integration rule for both risk judgment and risk taking. In each risk position, confidence in the three antecedent factors (environment, team, and self) negatively affected risk judgment and positively affected risk taking. We found the compositions of the clusters to be related to the participants' sex, and we discuss various advantages of applying information integration for mountain hiking practitioners and promoters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erin Parisi is attempting to become the first trans* person to ascent the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, through her project TranSending 7. Erin seeks to create alternative trans* narratives that are based on the possibility of positive futures, as opposed to negative tropes of a limited life from the decision to transition. Multiple semi-structured interviews were conducted with Erin to understand her experiences and how narratives she hopes to present, not only impact upon her own sense of self, health and well-being but also present opportunities for others. Data were analysed via reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis highlights for Erin a paradox for many trans* people in moving from one closet to another, where being invisible as a trans* person is the ultimate goal. Erin's desire to shape positive trans* narratives acknowledge the gendering practices that take place within the climbing community and a sense of her having to 'earn the right to climb'. Erin's endeavours demonstrate an alternative way individuals can be situated 'in the sunshine' between these two spaces, where personal growth is not only possible but rich, meaningful, and progressive. In drawing upon theoretical concepts informed by possible selves theory, this research seeks to untangle the gendered space of the mountain for shaping positive and transformational trans* narratives for individuals positioned within these gendered boundaries. It also seeks to identify stronger and more positive possible futures for other trans* people and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fatigue leads to an increase in joint restoration errors because of nervous system fatigue and a lack of understanding of joint position and imbalance that may be due to the changes in walking patterns and excessive pressure on bones and soft tissue structures, which may ultimately lead to injuries in climbers. Accordingly, this study investigates the effect of fatigue on the restoration error of the knee and ankle joint angles. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. A total of 35 mountaineers aged 20-35 years were selected by the non-random sampling method. This research was conducted on September 10, 2022, at the Tochal Climbing Rout in Velenjak, Tehran City, Iran. The tests were taken before and after a mountaineering program for a distance of 8 km at an average speed. The position sense of knee and ankle joints was evaluated using the Mobimed, which is a type of electrogoniometer. The normal distribution of the data was statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the data were analyzed using the paired t-test. The SPSS software, version 24, was used for all statistical operations (P≤0.05). Results: The findings showed that fatigue causes errors and significant changes in the restoration of knee and ankle joint angles and 30° (P=0.003), 45° (P=0.004), 60° (P=0.007), dorsiflexion of 10° (P=0.009) and plantar flexion of 20° (P=0.001), the restoration and sense of position is disturbed, which shows that fatigue is effective in understanding the state of the joints. Discussion: Fatigue increases the error of restoration of the knee and ankle joint angles, which can reduce the optimal performance of the muscles around the joints by reducing the person's understanding of the angles and the sense of the joint position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since tourist behavior plays the primary role in protecting the environment, this study has been conducted to extend the psychological perspectives of visitors' environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) in one of the most important natural heritage sites in Iran (Damavand Mountain) in the COVID-19 pandemic timeline and provide awareness for destination environmentalists as well as managers on how to control visitors' behavior. Likewise, Robbins (2002) Organizational Behavior model has been tested on ERB in ecotourism. Generally, 260 reliable questionnaires have been analyzed by using PLS-SEM2.0. The findings showed that (1) Visitors' attitude and ability toward nature would positively affect their ERB; (2) Motivation and learning mediate the impact of visitors' attitude and ability on their ERB; (3) Ability plays a significant role in the formation of visitors' ERB. Thus, the best way to change visitors' behavior is to educate them to make ERB more like a habit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staying and climbing in high mountains (>2,500 m) involves changes in diet due to poor access to fresh food, lack of appetite, food poisoning, environmental conditions and physiological changes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the principles of nutrition, hydration and supplementation in high-altitude conditions and to propose practical recommendations/solutions based on scientific literature data. Databases such as Pubmed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar were searched to find studies published from 2000 to 2023 considering articles that were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, narrative review articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The manuscript provides recommendations for energy supply, dietary macronutrients and micronutrients, hydration, as well as supplementation recommendations and practical tips for mountaineers. In view of the difficulties of being in high mountains and practicing alpine climbing, as described in the review, it is important to increase athletes’ awareness of nutrition and supplementation in order to improve well-being, physical performance and increase the chance of achieving a mountain goal, and to provide the appropriate dietary care necessary to educate mountaineers and personalize recommendations to the needs of the individual.

Research on clusters has highlighted that some geographical areas display superior conditions to nurture concentrations of businesses locally. But why do certain industries—despite ascribing their origin to specific locations—emerge away from their birthplace? We qualitatively investigate the influence that the town of Arco, Italy, and its periodic event "RockMaster" exerted on the emergence of the global sport climbing industry. We advance the concept of "catalyzing places" that support industry emergence and growth through an ongoing, cyclical process of three forces: "centripetal" (i.e., attracting), "catalyzing" (i.e., reacting), and "centrifugal" (i.e., ejecting). The forces attract communities of practice to the place, expose them to intense, transformational experiences toward entrepreneurship, and induce them to establish their businesses elsewhere. By redeploying the resources and reputation acquired in the place, these scattered communities enact a collective phenomenon of user entrepreneurship and ultimately industry emergence. We claim that the ongoing activities of the place, and the periodic ones of the event, are mutually reinforcing. We advance two novel elements—"portable economies" and "springboard firms"—that, in catalyzing places, exert the antithetical effect of "agglomeration economies" and "anchor firms" in clusters. We discuss our contribution to research on industry emergence, new practices, and user entrepreneurship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Increasing mountain activity and decreasing participant preparedness, as well as climate change, suggest needs to tailor mountain rescue. In Sweden, previous medical research of these services are lacking. The aim of the study is to describe Swedish mountain rescue missions as a basis for future studies, public education, resource allocation, and rescuer training. Methods Retrospective analysis of all mission reports in the national Swedish Police Registry on Mountain Rescue 2018–2022 (n = 1543). Outcome measures were frequencies and characteristics of missions, casualties, fatalities, traumatic injuries, medical conditions, and incident mechanisms. Results Jämtland county had the highest proportion of missions (38%), followed by Norrbotten county (36%). 2% of missions involved ≥ 4 casualties, and 44% involved ≥ 4 mountain rescuers. Helicopter use was recorded in 59% of missions. Non-Swedish citizens were rescued in 12% of missions. 37% of casualties were females. 14% of casualties were ≥ 66 or ≤ 12 years of age. Of a total 39 fatalities, cardiac event (n = 14) was the most frequent cause of death, followed by trauma (n = 10) and drowning (n = 8). There was one avalanche fatality. 8 fatalities were related to snowmobiling, and of the total 1543 missions, 309 (20%) were addressing snowmobiling incidents. Of non-fatal casualties, 431 involved a medical condition, of which 90 (21%) suffered hypothermia and 73 (17%) cardiovascular illness. Conclusions These baseline data suggest snowmobiling, cardiac events, drownings, multi-casualty incidents, and backcountry internal medicine merit future study and intervention.

Bu çalışmanın amacı, gelişen bir turizm aktivitesi olarak dağ turizminin ve spor turizminin önemine dikkat çekmek ve Ağrı’ya dağ turizmi ve spor turizmi için gelecek olan yerli ve yabancı turistlerin karşılaşabilecekleri engelleri tespit etmek, bunlara dikkat çekmek ve bu konuda farkındalık yaratmaktır. Çalışmada araştırma yöntemlerinden döküman analizi yöntemi ve gözden geçirme derleme yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada çeşitli bilimsel veri ve yayınlar taranmış, kaynaklar gözden geçirilerek araştırma konuları tasnif edilmiş, bazı resmî kurumların istatistiki verilerinden yararlanılmıştır. Literatür taraması sırasında dağcılık ve spor turizmi ilişkileri gözden geçirilmiştir. Ağrı Dağı’nda en büyük sorun barınma sorunudur. Ağrı Dağı’nda ağustos ayında bile fırtına, kar, yağmur anlık yağmakta ve hava şartları gece eksi derecelere kadar düşmekte bu da haliyle insanları çok zor durumda bırakmaktadır. Dağ'da yapılacak olan bir tesisin olması aynı zamanda kış turizmi içinde uygun tırmanışların yapılmasına imkân tanıyarak bölgeye çok daha fazla turist gelmesine vesile olacaktır. Dağ’a Tırmanış için en uygun zaman Ağustos ve Eylül aylarıdır. Yüksek dağlık alanlarda yaşayan ve ekonomik kaynakları yetersiz toplumlar açısından turizm bir şans olarak değerlendirilebilir. Ülkemizde turizmin gelişmesi, çeşitlenmesi ve dağlık yörelerde yaşayan nüfusun turizmden ek gelir sağlaması, olumlu bir gelişme olarak düşünebilir.

In 2006, mountaineer David Sharp died on the slopes of Mount Everest. Sharp's death led to public outrage after allegedly 40 climbers passed by the dying Sharp on their way to the peak, without stopping to help. But, since the slopes of Everest are a high-risk environment and rescuing Sharp would have entailed great risks for the rescuers, it is not clear whether the other mountaineers had a moral duty to rescue him. In a recent article, Patrick Findler introduces a principle to analyse such cases which states that we have a duty to rescue under dangerous circumstances, if the involved risks are not higher than the risks we are already taking in the pursuit of our own, morally less worthy ends. However, Findler then rejects this principle as too demanding. In this paper I will defend the principle against its inventor and argue in favour of such a duty. And while it may be true that the other mountaineers were justified in passing Sharp for different reasons, the principle shows that not only climbers, but adventure-sport athletes in general and people who engage in high-risk endeavours, may have a duty to rescue that doesn't apply to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article pays tribute to Frantisek "Frank" Turecek, a scientist and mountaineer. The author shares their personal experiences with Frank, including their first meeting in Prague and later joining his research group at the University of Washington. They discuss Frank's work in studying short-lived radicals and his passion for climbing mountains. The article also highlights Frank's contributions to the field of mass spectrometry and his dedication to mentoring graduate students. It provides a personal perspective on Frank's adventurous spirit and his achievements in both science and mountaineering. [Extracted from the article]

Reducing casualties and property losses through effective evacuation route planning has been a key focus for researchers in recent years. As part of this effort, an enhanced sparrow search algorithm (MSSA) was proposed. Firstly, the Golden Sine algorithm and a nonlinear weight factor optimization strategy were added in the discoverer position update stage of the SSA algorithm. Secondly, the Cauchy-Gaussian perturbation was applied to the optimal position of the SSA algorithm to improve its ability to jump out of local optima. Finally, the local search mechanism based on the mountain climbing method was incorporated into the local search stage of the SSA algorithm, improving its local search ability. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, the Whale Algorithm, Gray Wolf Algorithm, Improved Gray Wolf Algorithm, Sparrow Search Algorithm, and MSSA Algorithm were employed to solve various test functions. The accuracy and convergence speed of each algorithm were then compared and analyzed. The results indicate that the MSSA algorithm has superior solving ability and stability compared to other algorithms. To further validate the enhanced algorithm's capabilities for path planning, evacuation experiments were conducted using different maps featuring various obstacle types. Additionally, a multi-exit evacuation scenario was constructed according to the actual building environment of a teaching building. Both the sparrow search algorithm and MSSA algorithm were employed in the simulation experiment for multi-exit evacuation path planning. The findings demonstrate that the MSSA algorithm outperforms the comparison algorithm, showcasing its greater advantages and higher application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing mountain activity and decreasing participant preparedness, as well as climate change, suggest needs to tailor mountain rescue. In Sweden, previous medical research of these services are lacking. The aim of the study is to describe Swedish mountain rescue missions as a basis for future studies, public education, resource allocation, and rescuer training. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all mission reports in the national Swedish Police Registry on Mountain Rescue 2018–2022 (n = 1543). Outcome measures were frequencies and characteristics of missions, casualties, fatalities, traumatic injuries, medical conditions, and incident mechanisms. Results: Jämtland county had the highest proportion of missions (38%), followed by Norrbotten county (36%). 2% of missions involved ≥ 4 casualties, and 44% involved ≥ 4 mountain rescuers. Helicopter use was recorded in 59% of missions. Non-Swedish citizens were rescued in 12% of missions. 37% of casualties were females. 14% of casualties were ≥ 66 or ≤ 12 years of age. Of a total 39 fatalities, cardiac event (n = 14) was the most frequent cause of death, followed by trauma (n = 10) and drowning (n = 8). There was one avalanche fatality. 8 fatalities were related to snowmobiling, and of the total 1543 missions, 309 (20%) were addressing snowmobiling incidents. Of non-fatal casualties, 431 involved a medical condition, of which 90 (21%) suffered hypothermia and 73 (17%) cardiovascular illness. Conclusions: These baseline data suggest snowmobiling, cardiac events, drownings, multi-casualty incidents, and backcountry internal medicine merit future study and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible-joint manipulators (FJMs) have been attracting much attention in recent decades. However, position control and vibration suppression of single-input (SI) multi-degrees-of-freedom (multi( $ {\geqslant }3 $ ⩾ 3)-DOF) FJM is still a high mountain to climb due to the characteristic that some states of such FJMs cannot be directly controlled by the SI. This paper aims to carry out this challenging research. We present a double-loop frame-based adaptive neural sliding-mode control method for an uncertain horizontal SI 3-DOF FJM, i.e. a two-link FJM with only one actuator at the first joint. Since only the actuator angle can be directly controlled, in the inner loop, we design a torque controller so that the actuator angle tracks a time-varying reference actuator angle, designed in real-time by the outer loop. In the outer loop, we consider the reference actuator angle as a virtual control signal and design it based on the dynamic coupling relationships, aiming to indirectly control the first link to its target position and suppress the vibration of both links. Furthermore, to enhance the transient system performance, we plan the input signal of the outer loop (i.e. the target angle) as a smooth reference-trajectory signal. The validity and superiority of this method are demonstrated in simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]