What the hell is alpine climbing?

As suggested elsewhere, we need to figure this out! I'm sure this thread will reach a peaceful and definitive consensus.

I'll start by positing that alpine climbing:

1) Takes place in gross cold, snowy mountains (elevation is not important as long as conditions are atrocious)
2) Requires using ice tools at some point.
3) Involves an elevated risk of death beyond that found in rock climbing
4) What else?

Just because you walked across a glacier with a cane, are in the backcountry, or are at elevation, does not mean you are alpine climbing! Climbing rock in the summer in the sierra is not alpine climbing!

*Important: please note that I have never and will never alpine climb. So I have no idea what I'm talking about.

If I have trouble breathing it’s alpine, so like 1000 feet.

Climbing longer, more committing routes in the mountains.

Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.

Requires incredibly expensive gear and clothing
And a bushy beard 

Climbing … but in the alpine

this should be fun.

what if you have a 3-5 pitch crag and during the summer it is shirts off weather, but in the winter it is snowy and stormy - does this classify as alpine climbing?

Sleeping in hand built snow caves and using ice screws a lot. Trench foot a plus. 

No Gumby that's maybe alpine like conditions but not alpine climbing.
Daniel Kay has it right.

Hiking past gym climbers and above the trees, it’s wild 

Norm Larson wrote: No Gumby that's maybe alpine like conditions but not alpine climbing.
Daniel Kay has it right.

ok so call it a 10-15 pitch route - then its alpine, this is very murky gray area we are talking. 3-5 pitch routes are very committing for me especially in "alpine conditions and I usually take at least one ice tool, so I am going to call them alpine climbs.

In my mind I think alpine climbing is mixed climbing with ice alpine or waterfall and you reach a summit. I there fore have never alpine climbed.
 I don't think altitude should constitute it because you broaden a already broad state ment lots of crags are above 5000 feet.
I've done  a lil bit of ski mountaineering. But consider this mountaineering. Not alpine climbing.
I have also climbed  route that were multi pitch rock climbs classified as alpine routes. But didnt feel any different than routes at non alpine place. Maybe a little bit longer approach. 
Plus I always enjoy myself when I go climbing or mountaineering. Alot of people that alpine climb say how they are suffering. Maybe if we change the name they'll stop complaining

Climbing above treeline.

Oh wow, these definitions are even more effed than I expected. Mark Twight is rolling over in the grave he somehow avoided despite a life of alpine climbing.

I think Deven is the only one on the right track.

Climbing in lederhosen, clogs, and a gamsbart while using an alpenstock and hemp rope is the only true alpine climbing. Also I assume yodeling is required at the summit.

Kief Manning wrote: Requires incredibly expensive gear and clothing
And a bushy beard 

Eh, I’ve got a mediocre beard and wear a lot of wool and leather.

I can't explain it, but I know it when I see it.

Climbing in the Alps. 

For me, an alpine climb is one that involves the following elements: rock, waterfall/alpine ice, steep snow. Such routes are always found in the mountains, but as stated above, elevation is not a factor. Such climbing is usually done in temperatures between approx. freezing and 'its so cold I want my mom.' Modern alpine climbs require the use of two ice tools, crampons (sometimes rock shoes too), usually end at a summit or high point on a ridge, and are done in a light and fast style.

Daniel Kay wrote: Climbing longer, more committing routes in the mountains.

Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.

Then why aren't the Adirondack or looking glass in North Carolina considered alpine? And red rocks has many committing routes if you go by the commit grade I-V scale. Both fridged air buttress in Nevada and Burger Stanley in Washingtonhave the same commitment level and difficulty. 5.9 grade III one is considered alpine while the other is a Fun general multi pitch rock climb.