the mountains
as long as mountains last
What makes a mountain? Herewith are the words of professionals, enthusiasts, scientists and poets. You be the judge.
. A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth’s crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. A mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher than a hill, typically rising at least 980 feet above the surrounding land. A few mountains are isolated summits, but most occur in mountain ranges.
— Google Arts & Culture
. The mighty chunks rise all over the world, including the oceans. They usually have steep, sloping sides and sharp or rounded ridges, and a high point, called a peak or summit. Most geologists classify a mountain as a landform that rises at least 1000 feet or more above its surrounding area.
— National Geographic
. Some authorities regard eminences above 1969 feet as mountains, those below being referred to as hills.
— John Nuttall, Anne Nuttall
. A mountain is a rise in the terrain with nothing 200 feet or higher within such and such a distance.
— Marc
. Most climbers aren’t in fact deranged, they’re just infected with a particularly virulent strain of the Human Condition.>
— Jon Krakauer
. There is no universally accepted definition of a mountain. Elevation, volume, relief, steepness, spacing and continuity have been used as criteria for defining a mountain.
— A J Gerrard
. …a natural elevation of the earth surface rising more or less abruptly from the surrounding level and attaining an altitude which, relatively to the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable.
— A J Gerrard
. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, a mountain is usually defined as any summit at least 2000 feet high. Some definitions also include a topographical prominence requirement, such that the mountain rises 984 feet above the surrounding terrain.
— Roddy Urquhart
. There is some debate among climbers on what constitutes a mountain. Long arguments over campfires have resulted in a consensus that a mountain is higher than its surrounding land, requires more physical effort than walking on the level and is a grand place to be on sunny days. Other than these observations, no firm agreement exists.
— Steve Clark, the hiking guide to Baxter State Park
. The United Nations Environmental Programme’s definition of “mountainous environment” denotes seven classifications ranging from a minimum requirement of 14 764 feet in height to specifications of land mass of surrounding terrain. To wit:
Class 7: Isolated inner basins and plateaus less than 9.7 square miles in area that are completely surrounded by Class 1 to 6 mountains, but do not themselves meet criteria for Class 1 to 6 mountains.
I don’t know what that means.
. Any land mass higher and steeper than a hill.
. A minimum of 2000 feet high and have a slope that’s greater than 2°.
. The main difference between a mountain and a hill is elevation. The idea that a mountain is taller than a hill is perhaps the most widely accepted difference between the two. Additionally, mountains are often considered to have a much more defined and pointed peak than that found on a hill. The final difference between mountains and hills is that mountains typically belong to a larger mountain range, whereas hills are more commonly found standing alone.
— the World Atlas
. Mountain formations typically have steep slopes and a very sharp, defined peak.
— the World Atlas
. Mountains present a difficult climbing challenge to hikers due to the terrain and rapid elevation gain. Mountains are also most commonly found in a range with friends, other similar peaks. Together they are known as a mountain range. (You know how this goes: an exaltation of larks. A charm of goldfinches. A kaleidoscope of peacocks. A deck of cardinals. A range of mountains.
— sort of the World Atlas
. Mountains can be identified by their name, which usually contains the word “mountain.”
For me, it’s that thing that I’m happy to be on top of. Also that thing that I love hiking on, that gets me to the top. Now that’s a mountain.
