What constitutes "Alpine" climbing?

Jabroni McChuffersonwrote:

The only time the sierra gets close to “ alpine” is in winter, which is pretty chilly in the shade and if breezy actually 

Disagree. Don't confuse discipline with location. Alpine climbing denotes location/elevation and certainly the Sierra offers the alpine. Alpine rock routes in summer may not strictly be considered alpinism, but that is just a matter of the disciplines required. 

     ^  this  ^

Seems to me the disagreement arises from the difference between "alpine rock climbing" and "alpine climbing". I agree that what we have in RMNP is leagues away from say, Cerro Torre or the climbing in the Cascades, but only in that 'technical' difference. If we include 5th class mixed snow and ice climbing in the same "alpine climbing" as summertime multpitch crack climbing, the "best" area is going to be completely subjective. 

IMO any climbing (whether mixed, rock, ice, etc.) in sub-alpine to alpine environments is "alpine climbing". However, I wouldn't call summertime alpine rock climbers 'alpinists', so that presents a fun little dilemma. 

The fact that you can use "climber" for summiters of Everest and for people who climb V2s (in my gym) at the local crag means the term "alpine climbing" is quite vague. Maybe the true alpine climbing is the friends we made along the way.

A lot of the responses made me think. Quite a few made me smile. 

If lines are drawn, then it's really easy to find the places where the lines blur. Alpine (or alpine like) climbing is all over the place. 

Decades worth of glacial wasting has definitely changed alpine climbing. Not just because of glacier recession. 

If I had to make a distinction based on previous responses, then I guess New England has zero alpine climbing hahaha! It's just the norm to hike long distances to climb not very long routes, in often iffy conditions. I guess it's just called New England climbing.

• Boreal Strutwrote:

If I had to make a distinction based on previous responses, then I guess New England has zero alpine climbing hahaha! It's just the norm to hike long distances to climb not very long routes, in often iffy conditions. I guess it's just called New England climbing.

Not true.  Very few alpine climbs. Lots of alpine climbing. The most fun winter of my life was the winter I worked a IMCS. And I 've had a lot of great winters!

Edit added: The awesome hospitality shown to me by the whole staff at IME/IMCS was as much a factor as the great winter climbing. The neighbors where I lived too. 

Boreal Strutwrote:

If I had to make a distinction based on previous responses, then I guess New England has zero alpine climbing hahaha! It's just the norm to hike long distances to climb not very long routes, in often iffy conditions. I guess it's just called New England climbing.

As a former resident of the Granite State and a climber who walked far for short climbs, I agree with your assessment. 

A fair comparison could be made to Scottish climbing. 

Thanks for the fun thread Mr Eric Craig. 

Eric Craigwrote:

Not true. Virtually no alpine climbs. Lots of alpine climbing. The most fun winter of my life was the winter I worked a IMCS. And I 've had a lot of great winters!

Yes! Very few true "Alpine climbs" but tons of opportunities for "Alpine climbing", thank you for that distinction. I think that has been a big reason why NE climbers are able to succeed elsewhere, we don't have the height or length, but those variable conditions!! 

+1 for the awesomeness of New Hampshire winters

I guess it's just called New England climbing.

or sub-alpine climbing. ;-)

Well, uh, Alabama is mostly out of the question.

Does this qualify as ‘alpine climbing’?

It’s about 5 hours south of the Sierra.

apogeewrote:

Does this qualify as ‘alpine climbing’?

It’s about 5 hours south of the Sierra.

I like it.

I'm a Sierrist.

The authoritative definition:  blakeclimbs.blogspot.com/20…

You’re welcome.  Lol..

A guy named Al climbing a Pine

Joshua Tree. 

Some people confuse "alpine climbing" or "alpine rock" with "alpine style."  The first two are subjective; the latter has a strict definition and should not be misused.

I climbed Lord of the Thais with a Russian who told me it was her first alpine climb. 

All climbing is either alpine climbing or training for alpine climbing.

J W wrote

Turns out I’m not an alpinist, just a lowly mountaineer.

My buddy used to say, “I’m not a mountaineer, I’m an Alpinist!”

I just rolled my eyes. 

This is most certainly not west of the Missouri but it usually feels pretty darn alpine to me.. 

as does this thing

and this.. 

Granted they are all mini golf compared to out west but shure seem to be pretty darn alpine while you are on them.