Science Friday Olympic Ski Mountaineering, And Mountain Goat Climbing Feats
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Feb 6, 2026 Dr. Kevin White, a wildlife ecologist who studies mountain goats and their behavior. Dr. Peter Hansen, a history professor and mountaineering scholar. They explore ski mountaineering’s mix of uphill skins, booting and technical downhill. They also marvel at mountain goats’ hooves, balance and cliff-climbing feats, and discuss avalanches, predation and climate-driven risks.
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What Ski Mountaineering Actually Is
- Ski mountaineering blends uphill skinning, boot-based climbing, and downhill skiing into one endurance sport.
- Peter Hansen says the combination demands coordination, agility, strength, and endurance beyond single-discipline skiing.
Mountaineering Originated As Science
- Modern mountaineering began in the 18th century tied to scientific curiosity, not just conquest.
- Peter Hansen describes climbers as natural historians studying altitude, temperature, and human responses on peaks.
From Empire Flags To Climate Witnessing
- By the 19th century climbs adopted flag-planting and imperial motives, especially for peaks like Everest.
- Peter Hansen says contemporary climbers increasingly frame ascents as witness to climate change rather than domination.
