Argentina publishes results of climber survey

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The Argentinian mountaineering federation (Federaciòn Argentina de Ski y Andinismo (FASA) has carried out an extensive survey of climbers in the country.

The information (in Spanish only at the moment) is a first step towards the development of a national sports policy on mountaineering and climbing.

According to Martin Lascano of FASA, more than 650 people from 21 provinces participated in the National Survey of Climbers over a three-month period in early 2011.

“The data collected is very important and revealing in many ways. It is a first step towards a national sports development policy, for mountaineering, traditional climbing and sport climbing too,” Lascano said.

The survey looked at population data, profession and mountain experience, climbing style and level of difficulty, formal training and education, mountain culture, mountain safety and institutional data.

Here are a few of the findings:

• Men make up the overwhelming majority of climbers in Argentina (78%).
• The climbing population is characterized by being mostly single (67%) and young adults (between 26 and 35 years = 49%)
• 78% of the climbing population have a higher level of education.
• The bulk of climbers are only active for a few years, and only 21% are professionally involved in some way with mountains.
• Most (84.4%) travel within Argentina to go climbing or undertake expeditions. Nearly 30% go abroad for the same reason.
• Less than half of those surveyed (43%) are members of clubs associated with FASA. However, only 15% are aware of FASA’s role as an institutional organization.