Mountaineering can be described as the ascent of any hill or mountain where the gradient and severity of the terrain requires some form of climbing and the sustained use of technical equipment.
Mountaineering is often called Alpinism, which implies climbing with difficulty such high, often snow and ice-covered mountains as the Alps. The word Alpinism was originated in 19th century to refer to climbing for the purpose of enjoying climbing itself as a sport or recreation, distinct from merely climbing while hunting or as a religious pilgrimage.