The Scope of Sport and Tourist Exploration of the Tatra Peaks Using a Prominence-Based Approach

Purpose. This article is aimed at verifying the scope of tourist and sport exploration of the Tatra peaks in their historical context. It is also an attempt to evaluate the determinants for pace and scale of Tatra Mountain exploration.Method. In order to assess the set of peaks and their selection or grouping, digital maps based on LiDAR measurements were developed and field surveys conducted. On this basis, prominence-based lists of peaks were created. “Prominence” is one of the important numerical criteria for a peak’s significance. Historical data (e.g. date of the first ascent, scale of difficulty of the easiest route to the top) was determined based on critical analysis of the literature on the subject (especially climbing guidebooks).Findings. The conclusions from analysis of the database broadly confirm the evaluation of a growth rate and sport quality for the exploration of the Tatra mountains. The beginning of exploration activity was observed from just before World War 1. It was a consequence of importation of alpinist ideology towards the Tatra mountains. These generic observations were supplemented by quantitative analysis. In the research, it was revealed that, over time, the interest of climbers moved to more difficult and less prominent peaks.Research and conclusions limitations. Not all objects found on the digital maps were properly identified and described. This was due to limited information in the literature and difficulties regarding physical access to selected peaks. Some historical data are unknown or uncertain, leading to incomplete conclusions.Practical implications. A cognitive implication is an estimation of the research gap regarding exploration of the Tatra Mountains. The awareness of a significant number of unclimbed peaks may increase human pressure on natural protection areas with consequential ecological implications.Originality. The article is a first attempt focused on quantification of the pace of exploring the Tatra mountains with objective criteria using a prominence-based approach. The added value of this paper is the preparation of an objective database, created using contemporary methods of field analysis based on digital LiDAR mapping.Type of paper. The article presents the results of an empirical study.