According to historical records, the renowned French scientist De Saussure was eager to explore alpine plant resources and hoped someone could help him overcome what was then considered an insurmountable challenge—reaching the summit of Mont Blanc (located in France’s Alps, standing at 4,810 meters, it is the highest peak in Western Europe). In May 1760, he posted a notice in the town of Chamonix at the foot of the Alps: “A handsome reward will be given to anyone who can reach or provide a route to the summit of Mont Blanc.” It wasn’t until 26 years later, in June 1786, that a local doctor named Balmat from Chamonix responded to the notice. After over two months of preparation and accompanied by Jacques Balmat, a local crystal miner, they successfully reached the summit of Mont Blanc on August 6—the first ever ascent.
On August 3, 1787, a climbing team led by De Saussure himself and guided by Balmat, consisting of over 20 members, climbed the peak again, marking the beginning of modern mountaineering. Throughout this expedition, they conducted various studies related to human physiology and the natural environment, collecting valuable data in the field of high-altitude science. Later, this activity came to be known as "Alpinism," with 1786 recognized as the birth year of mountaineering, Chamonix as its birthplace, and figures such as De Saussure and Balmat acknowledged as the founders of global mountaineering—recognition that has been accepted internationally.
In the 18th century, missionaries had to cross mountainous regions to spread their faith; scientists began venturing into the mountains to study natural ecology. Beyond these groups, there were also newly emerged social classes—industrialists and entrepreneurs—created by the Industrial Revolution. With newfound financial means and in pursuit of new thrills, these individuals began to treat mountaineering as a form of leisure. At the time, the first ascent (the first successful climb to a mountain's summit) became the ultimate goal for all climbers. Once the more accessible and less steep peaks in the Alps had all been conquered, attention turned to the significantly more challenging and treacherous summits. To tackle these year-round snow-covered ice and rock terrains, climbers developed an entire set of technical skills—albeit rudimentary in both technique and equipment at the time. It wasn't until around World War II that, driven by the demands of special terrain combat, the military began refining these techniques. Rock climbing and camping gradually took shape, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that they evolved into distinct sporting disciplines. Despite their relatively short histories, these activities have become widely popular across developed nations in the decades since, with outdoor camping being especially beloved by both the elderly and scouts in Europe and America.
Early outdoor activities were essentially survival methods—herbal gathering, hunting, warfare, and others were all actions humans undertook out of necessity for survival or development. During World War II, British special forces began using natural barriers and rope courses for obstacle training to enhance field combat abilities and teamwork. This marked the first systematic and purposeful application of outdoor activities in real-world scenarios. The war also saw numerous maritime disasters, and subsequent statistics revealed that the age group with the highest survival rate was between 28 and 38. Experts found that individuals in this bracket tended to be psychologically mature, had diverse life experiences, and possessed strong team spirit—traits that significantly contributed to their survival.
After the war, as the threat of conflict diminished and economies grew, outdoor activities evolved beyond military and survival purposes to become a new lifestyle focused on entertainment, leisure, and improving quality of life. Following New Zealand’s first Adventure Racing Challenge in 1989, various forms of outdoor activities and competitions flourished worldwide. Today, Europe hosts numerous large-scale challenges annually, while in the United States, outdoor sports rank third in both participation and economic value among all athletic pursuits. The concept of outdoor sports refers to a collective range of athletic activities conducted in natural environments, often involving exploration or experiential adventure.
Outdoor sports refer to a group of collective activities carried out in natural settings. These include: **Mountaineering:** A category of sport where athletes climb various types of mountain peaks or ridges, either with bare hands or using specialized gear. **Trekking/Backpacking:** Primarily involves traveling on foot to complete the journey from start to finish, potentially crossing a variety of terrains such as mountains, jungles, deserts, snowfields, streams, and canyons. **Hiking:** Also known as “HIKING,” it is a fundamental component of outdoor sports, generally understood as long-distance walking.