Yes, it is technically possible to engage in sexual activity while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro if you and your partner have to. However, it is generally advised to refrain from doing so until after reaching the summit. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a physically demanding endeavour that requires significant energy and stamina, particularly at higher altitudes where the air is thinner.
As climbers ascend to higher elevations, the air density decreases, making breathing more difficult and increasing the risk of exhaustion. Therefore, conserving energy and focusing on the task of reaching the summit is paramount for a successful climb.
While engaging in sexual activity may be tempting, especially in the romantic and adventurous setting of the mountain, it is important to prioritize the climb’s safety and success. Saving intimate moments after the summit ensures that climbers maintain their focus and energy levels throughout the ascent, increasing their chances of safely reaching the summit of not only Mount Kilimanjaro but other high mountains like Aconcagua, Mount Everest, Mount Kenya, Rwenzori, Mount Meru, Mount Vinson, Mount Elbrus, the Alps, Mount Fuji, Mount Denali in the United States and other mountains all over the world.
Saving Energy for a Successful Summit
If these areas are to remain in a pristine state, it is imperative that visitors respect the land. One way to show this respect is to travel as efficiently as possible, thereby leaving no trace apart from the unavoidable passage of hiking boots. One of the biggest marks left by climbers is the broken trail. When an ice or snow route is in a perfectly consolidated state, it is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, the lifespan of this route may only be a few hours until warm temperatures, sun, or wind turn it into an undesirable slog. If climbers are aware of the effect of their travel on the snow, they can often bypass the route by waiting for better conditions. A knowledge of the mountain environment and weather patterns can be a useful, if not essential tool in deciding when to move on a certain route.
The following environmental discussion is based on the ascent of higher mountains; however, the theories and practices can be applied to any situation. Mountains pose the ultimate challenge to the world of outdoor recreation and in recent years, more and more people have met this challenge. From the weekend family outing to an ascent of Denali, more people are escaping the daily grind to trek and climb their way to the summit. Battles over route selection, environmental damage, and suitability have been and are being fought in an attempt to preserve the natural state of this high country. Unfortunately, it does not look good for those of us who value unspoiled nature.
The Impact of Low Air Density on Mountain Peaks
Regardless of the technique you choose, you will need to save energy in order to reach the summit of a mountain. Any climber who has been at high altitudes knows the feeling of range anxiety when looking at how little fuel is left in a backpacking stove. Ironically, that feeling is exactly what mountains have when looking at you! People and engines derive power from burning fuel. Because the chemical reaction which releases energy uses oxygen, burning fuel at high altitudes is like trying to burn a candle in a jar. The candle burns normally while the jar is open, but struggles and goes out when the jar is nearly sealed. In the same way, the energy derived from burning carbohydrates or fats can be dramatically reduced at high altitude because the low oxygen inhibits combustion. With less energy available to drive muscle and brain function, climbers find simple tasks to be daunting and require a cooling off period. Unfortunately, oxygen is also at a premium on mountains and the only cure for low altitude sickness is acclimatization and descent. On mountains, air pressure and oxygen availability decreases with an increase in altitude. Reduced oxygen in the air results in less oxygen travelling via the lungs into the blood. The body compensates by increasing breathing and heart rates, and producing more red blood cells to transport oxygen. These changes are beneficial but require additional energy. The body’s energy deficit and the energy cost of altitude travel a vicious cycle. This in turn means there is less to be invested into actual mountain climbing thus efficiency is reduced. This entire process of high altitude acclimatization can take weeks only to be undone within a few days at lower altitude. Finally, decreased air density and oxygen availability significantly impacts the physical and mental performance of climbers particularly above 7000m. Any acutely ill person will appear to be inattentive, apathetic, and lethargic. These are not desirable qualities to possess in large quantities while moving up a mountain. With the decreased energy available for both mental and physical functions, electricity is often in short supply on a climb. Although it’s often a worthy trade-off, there are few electrical power sources in remote areas and electronic devices can still suffer from the cold. Now realizing that it’s better to power his body than battery, a conscientious climber will find ways to reduce energy consumption in order to get the most out of reduced quality energy sources.
Taking it Slow and Conserving Breath
The aerobics fitness of an individual is usually judged by the ease and rate at which they can ascend a flight of stairs. Breathing is something that the majority of us take for granted; it’s automated, innate, and we do not have to think about its control. On an ascent up a mountain high above sea level, such as the Alps, breathing and the procurement of energy from respiration becomes paramount to the success of the climb. As the barometric air pressure decreases, so does the density of the air. The fall in the density of the air means there are fewer air molecules per volume and therefore less oxygen. This decrease in oxygen restricts the intensity of exercise that can be upheld, as it limits the percentage of maximal oxygen consumption achievable, thus limiting anaerobic exercise. The rate at which lactate moves through its cycle to reconstruct glucose so that energy can be attained diminishes due to the lack of named pyruvate, which is an intermediary product of glycolysis in the presence of oxygen. For these processes to occur, plenty of oxygen needs to be present. If this activity level is transcended, it causes an oxygen debt and lactate accumulation, which eventually leads to exhaustion. The only way to avoid oxygen debt and lactate accumulation is by avoiding exercise intensity, and to do that, it requires conserving breath. So, to conserve breath, movement must be at a slow pace, and this is why walking is common among trekkers going to high altitudes. It is challenging for anyone to come from a low-lying area and travel to altitudes above 2000m, and for every 300-400m increase in altitude, there is a drop in sustainable exercise intensity of around 10-12% maximal heart rate. So, the higher one goes, the slower movement must be in order to sustain a certain exercise intensity and not exceed it.
Avoiding Exhaustion by Prioritizing Energy Preservation
Conversely, a large energy expenditure over a short period of time can result in the complete depletion of energy stores, at which point the body’s physical and mental capabilities will decrease dramatically. It is at these times when the risk of injury or severe weather can have serious consequences. The primary goal in either case is to extend the period of time over which the energy stores are depleted, thus prolonging full physical and mental functioning. This increases the safety margin for unplanned bivouacs, weather deterioration, or injury, ultimately influencing the likelihood of success or failure on a climb.
When to rest and how far to push yourself are frequently debated issues among high altitude mountaineers. However, no single rule can define the proper pace because of the importance of individual energy preservation. A climber’s capacity is limited by the total quantity of calories available to be expended. Any activities which contribute to a decrease in this quantity, such as shivering to generate warmth or expending extra energy to ascend an unnecessary section of fixed rope, will serve to decrease performance capacity. The extent to which the energy reserves are depleted influences the rate of performance decline. For example, a small caloric deficit will result in a minimal decrease in physical and mental functioning over an extended period of time.
Considering the Timing of Sexual Activities on Mountains
There are two approaches to sex in the mountains. The first is to view it as a part of human life and not to be artificially segregated from life’s other aspects, like work, socializing, eating, and so on. Cocks and vaginas being what they are, it is inevitable that if men and women mix freely in the mountains, sexual interest and the desire for some kind of physical consummation will sooner or later arise, as it does in all walks of life, and men and women do interact freely (and frequently more freely and in a more egalitarian manner than is possible in a society or a party with rigidly defined roles for the sexes). Any relationship that goes beyond mere friendship will sooner or later lead to sex, if only because sex is seen as testing the theory in the Peak District, the first to last it’s likely to start rearing its ugly head; or is that just a sausage? An inseparable part of romantic love and it is not realistic to expect lovers to show unrelenting self-control. Given that sex will occur at some point, it’s worth devoting some thought to when and where it can be done most expeditiously and with the least hindrance of the main climbing objective. The second approach is to be more conservative and try to keep sex and intimate relationships separate from mountaineering and the mountain environment, on the grounds that sex or sexual tensions can be a source of psychological distraction and tension, or can adversely affect group dynamics and decision making. This approach is generally more applicable to an expedition where the intimate relationships are those between members of a small party, and may be a reaction to relationships in previous expeditions which have contributed to failure; the leader may then set goals to keep the party sexually insulated and make a humorous pact in which anyone looking like “ijit with a twinkle in his eye” is liable to be clubbed with an axe handle or forcibly restrained and told to think of England. However, it is also an attempt to emphasize that the mountains are a place for relatively brief and simple living remote from the complexities of normal life in society.
Is it OK to Have Sex on the Mountain?
A survey conducted on the eight thousand meter peaks in Nepal like Mount Everest and K2 showed that those who engaged in sexual activities at high altitudes had a success rate of only 31 percent, as opposed to the overall success rate on those peaks of 48 percent.
At high altitudes, the energy exerted during sexual activity can be from two to five times greater than what it would be expending the same time resting. This could be most detrimental to an expedition, as energy in the mountains is an invaluable resource that is often in short supply. Also, while the enjoyable sensations experienced during sex would be of benefit to most people, the after-effects of fatigue and decreased body temperature can be harmful to an individual if the climate is cold and inhospitable. This in itself can lead to a dangerous situation where people are forced to abandon their pursuit of the summit.
The idea of sexual activity while climbing in the mountains is one that is rich in debate. There are those who claim that sex is an activity that transcends all other forms of physical exertion and is the most enjoyable way of passing time. To this, there are no opposing views. However, what must be considered is where this energy will be spent and whether the activity of sex will prepare the climbers for a higher and more strenuous goal.
Sex on the mountain, or is it better to wait until you reach the summit? A difficult question for many mountain climbers, who gain admission to both positive and negative effects of this.
The Advantages of Waiting Until Reaching the Summit
Post-coital tent conversation is a very enjoyable alpine pastime, and while it may seem that giving up sex while on a climbing trip would detract from the overall experience, one can argue that saving it for a rest day or until reaching the summit has its advantages. Step said that during his 28 days of new-routing in the Arrigetch, sex with his partner was a rare occurrence, as they were so tired each day that they would often just fall asleep, and when he was giving up a romantic camp closer to the road for their first take of the East Face on the Middle Troll, his partner asked “So when we actually try the route, will you bring wine and sleep kit?” This implies that waiting until reaching the summit for a sexual activity is a common theme in Step’s climbing career and was an approach his partner preferred for the more committing objectives.
Well, sex on mountain summits may not be as common as it occurs in camps, it does happen. Sometimes a party will purposefully sleep without a tent so that they can have sex under the stars, and lowland climbers have been known to carry up a bottle of wine to facilitate an amorous snow camping experience. However, because of energy and time constraints, most mountain climbers will abstain from sex while on a climbing trip, either due to romantic couples giving it up for weeks prior to a trip so that they can spend time together in the mountains, or individuals who know that spending energy on a sexual activity will detract from the overall climb. So it is important to address this issue now.
The Importance of Energy Conservation during Climbs
During actual periods of climbing, conservation of energy is as important as consuming enough food and drink. Acute mountain sickness can probably be prevented by controlling the pace of ascent. All symptoms of AMS occur as a result of increased fluid on the brain, caused by the failure of the body to acclimatize to the decreased atmospheric pressure at higher altitudes. High altitude is defined as 1500 – 3500m (5000 – 11500ft), very high altitude 3500 – 5500m (11500 – 18000ft), and extreme altitude is considered to be >5500m (18000ft). In terms of illness, the two are essentially synonymous as they both refer to the clinical features of what is called acute mountain sickness. AMS is very common, occurring in 75% of people who ascend rapidly to altitudes of 2500m (8000ft) or more. The major cause of AMS is going too high too fast, but there are other factors such as hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and dehydration. The syndrome may progress to the more serious conditions HAPE (High altitude pulmonary edema) and HACE (High altitude cerebral edema), so this is something to be avoided. At its worst, this can be fatal. The only way to prevent AMS is to acclimatize, but generally the best way to control the pace of ascent is to conserve energy by going slowly. This effectively kills two birds with one stone.
Comments