Abstract
Mountaineering sports encompass a broad range of outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, and alpine sports (covered in the winter sports chapter). Hiking can range from short day-hikes that often require minimal equipment (e.g. hiking shoes) to multiday treks that require large packs and equipment that can lead to injury formation. Rock climbing can be performed on artificially constructed courses or on natural surfaces with climbers using various types and amounts of safety equipment. Mountaineering provides unique sources of pathophysiology for dermatological conditions, such as from the environment (e.g. extreme temperature exposure) and equipment (e.g. friction injuries from hiking/climbing equipment). Hikers are at risk from plant dermatitis, especially members of the Toxicodendron genus (e.g. poison ivy and poison oak), which cause Type 4 hypersensitivity allergic contact dermatitis reactions due to exposure to the triggering compound Urushiol produced by these plants. Hikers and climbers should be counseled on risks posed by local arthropod fauna and how to treat bites/envenomation from these organisms. Mountaineers should be counseled on using proper sun protective measures and clothing to minimize extreme temperature exposures. Climbers should be counseled on the importance of protective equipment.