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Climbers' narratives of mountain spaces above 8000 metres

A social constructivist perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID8360587
AuthorsGeoff A Wilson (0000-0002-5703-9710, University of Plymouth, corresponding author)
Year2012
Volume44
Issue1
Pages29-36
Publication date2012-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArea (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0004-0894 • E-ISSN: 1475-4762
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1475-4762.2011.01021.x
OpenAlexW2160534174
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited16

This article analyses narratives used by mountaineers experiencing mountain spaces above 8000 metres. Adopting a social constructivist perspective, the article focuses on published narratives by established mountaineers (focusing on Everest and K2), with the aim of exploring perceived notions of mountain spaces above 8000 metres as psychological and geographical physical and mental thresholds. By discussing specific narratives associated with technological aids (e.g. oxygen masks), summit fever, risk‐taking, the role of guides as important intermediaries for the reinforcement of socially constructed extreme mountain spaces, or the politicisation of mountain spaces through risk perceptions clouded by nationalism, the article argues that narrative constructivism helps us question nature‐society dualisms linked to high mountain spaces, especially by emphasising the artificiality of dehumanised spaces such as the ‘death zone’ above 8000 metres

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · Artificiality · Constructivism (international relations) · Epistemology · Geography · International relations · Literature · Mountaineering · Narrative · Nationalism · Perspective (graphical) · Physical geography · Political science · Politics · Social constructivism · Social science · Sociology · Summit · Visual arts · Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking · Cryospheric studies and observations · High Altitude and Hypoxia · History · Philosophy

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    Open Access•Pauline Couper, Richard Yarwood•Area•2012

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    Open Access•Susan Frohlick•Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue…•2003

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    Open Access•Barbara Rose Johnston, Ted Edwards et al.•Annals of Tourism Research•1994

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Unique citing works2
Citations per year0,14
Citation span2012 - 2019 (8)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 2
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