Explore-Share Blog

What is Mountaineering? Equipment, Best Season, Top Spots

Mountaineering, also known as ‘mountain climbing’ or ―mainly in Europe― ‘Alpinism’, is the sport of climbing a mountain. Depending on the case, mountaineering may involve using technical equipment and combining a series of related skills like scrambling, rock climbing, glacier travel, ice climbing or mixed climbing.

Seven Summits: Climbing the Continents’ Highest Mountains

Reaching the seven summits, or the highest peak of each continent is a mountaineering challenge that all climbers dream of and that many work hard towards. Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, Puncak Jaya/Carstensz, and Vinson: find out everything you need to know about these climbing hot tops!

Canyoning in Sierra de Guara (Spain): the Best Spots

Carlos Vidal Arque, an AEGM Mountain Guide from Spain, shares a guide for canyoning in Sierra de Guara, a natural paradise for outdoor lovers in Aragon, full of jumps, slides, rappels and climbs! Which are the best canyoning descents? When is the best time to practice this activity? Can children take part?

First IFMGA Mountain Guides from Eastern Europe

In June this year, the first generation of mountain guides from Eastern Europe will complete their IFMGA training. This brings thriving opportunities for both mountain guides in the area and clients willing to explore some of Europe's less-visited mountain destinations. We spoke about this with Cosmin Andron, a 42-year-old mountain guide from Romania, who is

Best via ferratas around Barcelona

A via ferrata (which means “iron path” in Italian) is a protected vertical and horizontal climbing route. While its origins date from the nineteenth century, many of these routes were built during World War I, in the Dolomite mountain range, in northeastern Italy, to help troops move across the area. As these have become

Mountaineering: How to Overcome Fear of Heights

Back in 2015, UIMLA-certified mountain leader Pascale Haegler was speaking with a fellow guide: “We spoke about our big tours – Matterhorn, Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Chamonix Zermatt – and we realized that we always had people who were afraid of heights”. She speaks with us from “down in the main valley”, where her family lives,

Lenin Peak Climb: Facts & Information. Routes, Climate, Difficulty, Equipment, Preparation, Cost

As one of the world's most famous 7000ers, Lenin Peak poses an interesting dare for any mountaineer. At  7,134 metres (23,406 ft), it is an ambitious climb and although at this altitude range it certainly shouldn't be underestimated, its moderate technical difficulty makes it a popular spot for adventurers who want to muster the courage

Powder Skiing in Japan: What are the Best Spots?

Dry and extremely light powder has made Japanese ski resorts and backcountry a “must-visit” destination for freeride skiers and touring enthusiasts around the world. And there is no shortage of it: Japanese ski resorts receive an average of 10 to 18 meters of snow each season! Winter is right around the corner. Check out

Matterhorn Climb: Facts & Information. Routes, Climate, Difficulty, Equipment, Preparation, Cost

Known as Matterhorn in Switzerland, Monte Cervino in Italy, and Mont Cervin in France, this is certainly the most iconic peak in the entire Alps. Often referred to as “the Mountain of Mountains”, climbing this large pyramidal peak is every mountaineer’s dream. Standing at 4,478 meters (14,692ft), Matterhorn is the fifth highest peak in the

Ski touring in Kyrgyzstan: 15 friends discover the wild Terskey Mountains

Last February, a group of 15 Norwegian backcountry enthusiasts traveled to Kyrgyzstan for a 6-day ski touring adventure across the Terskey Mountains. Andrey, a local KMGA/IFMGA-certified mountain guide they hired through Explore-Share, and two colleagues led the crew to some of the best off-piste spots in the Karkara ski area. “Andrey was a great