The essence of mountaineering by Juanjo Alonso “Kapi”
The essence of mountaineering
Texts and photos by Juanjo Alonso “Kapi”
Mountaineers always try to say nice things about the mountains; we are privileged to have a source of inspiration where nature is free and wild. We turn the mountains into beings with soul, we give them feelings and share with them unique moments of real life, generating emotions that depend on a simple decision that is very simple to make, but depending on the course we follow at that moment, it determines the success to reach the chosen destination, or even to maintain life. These are moments of great intensity and passion. In the mountains the objectives are clear, there are no excuses or disturbances on the way, except those imposed by nature. And that is the essence of mountaineering.
Mountaineers always try to give life to the mountains, as if they did not have enough vitality, we give them names and numbers and mark challenges and sporting values. And once labelled, they seem more friendly and accessible, a fleeting impression caused by the delirium of adventure or the pleasure of a good weather because really the mountaineering territory has a fierce, indomitable and unpredictable spirit. And that is also the essence of mountaineering.

Juanjo with the Bestard Android in the mountains of Guadarrama in Madrid
And of course it is essential to feel like a mountaineer to have full confidence in the equipment. The pioneers used wool, cotton and natural fabrics combined in the right way to achieve the highest level of safety, comfort and confidence in the hard moments imposed by the high mountain. They nailed their boots and forged materials on the traditional tools they used to look for crystals, look after the herds or walk along the base of the glaciers, creating pieces that at that time were science fiction instruments, they were masters of tuning and inventiveness, gradually increasing the degree of difficulty and commitment in the ascents. Now the equipment is specific for each activity, even for each moment, it seems that everything has been invented but the designers and manufacturers of mountain equipment do not stop bringing innovations that we mountaineers always appreciate because they help to maintain that essential and essential confidence in mountain sports.
I have been using mountain footwear from the Mallorcan brand Bestard for several years, it has even been decades since I used the first model when I was discovering mountaineering in the Gredos and Guadarrama mountains, I had a pair of boots for everything and with them I felt able to achieve any goal because I had full confidence in them. Now footwear is divided into segments, ranges and specific concepts for each user or activity, and it is fabulous. Hiking shoes go well on trails, adventure trips and long off-road hikes, canyoning boots are for descending canyons and for crests in the Pyrenees or the Alps you have to wear the crests boots, and this is also fascinating because the specification of the equipment makes us better able to concentrate on the activity and the objective of each moment.
I have started these lines with the intention of showing a personal vision of the essence of mountaineering, of the things that inspire and give courage, encouragement and confidence every time I go out to the summits. There are many more, such as friendship, companionship, respect for nature, clean and sustainable mountaineering and the need to seek challenges that increase confidence, self-esteem and the will to live, which is essential in every moment of life. And I will talk about them another time. Writing is like music, you cannot listen to two melodies at the same time. And like summits, one at a time, to feel intensely the essence of mountaineering.
Juanjo Alonso “Kapi”.