The Dark Side of Adventure: Exploring the Stress-Coping Strategies of Mountaineers’ Significant Others Regarding High Altitude Mountaineering Expeditions

Abstract

Since their inception in the 1920s, high altitude mountaineering expeditions (HAMEs) have been the center of many adventure stories. Despite the high risk of HAMEs, mountaineers have often been portrayed as heroes by mass media and literature. The thrill-seeking behaviors of mountaineers usually result in positive psychological benefits, and few arguments have suggested that such action can harm the mountaineers involved or negatively affect others. However, no empirical study has examined the direct impact on the significant others of mountaineers when they participate in HAMEs. This study addresses this imbalance by examining the stresses caused by a Taiwanese HAME and how the significant others of mountaineers cope with HAME-related stressors. This paper explores this overlooked experience by interviewing three significant others of mountaineers of a particular expedition. The findings indicate that the significant others of mountaineers experience various levels of stressors, such as emotional burdens associated with long separation and fear of bereavement, which are often found among military deployment families. In addition, the results suggest that a range of internal and external stress-coping strategies such as denial, religion, self-care, and technology are used to overcome these hurdles successfully. Numerous suggestions for improved adaptation by the significant others of HAME mountaineers are also identified. This research advocates more effective support for the quality of life of these significant others and suggests that mountaineers work alongside their loved ones as they pursue HAMEs. Finally, potential avenues for future research on this topic are considered.