Mountains and Medicine

The lure of the mountains remains for most persons an indescribable, and seemingly unexplainable, sensation. Seeking out discomfort, hard work, and occasional danger requires an asceticism imcomprehensible to nonclimbers; certainly it is difficult to convince anyone that the view from the top warrants the effort. Yet mountaineering claims a vigorous band of devotees, and the number of serious climbers increases steadily. Disregarding the unexplored fastness of mountaineering psychology, what interrelationships exist between medicine and mountain climbing? As in every other sport, accidents happen on mountains. Two main mechanisms function: one is trauma, the other exposure. And, of course, the two elements of trauma and exposure frequently coexist. Medically, little can be done about protecting oneself from avalanches, but falling rocks are also a hazard. Fortunately, increasing numbers of serious rockclimbers are wearing protective hard hats which help to avoid or lessen severity of head injuries. Generally, the treatment of trauma