The Mountaineering Experience: Determining the Critical Factors and Assessing Management Practices
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2014-09-16 The Mountaineering Experience: Determining the Critical Factors and Assessing Management Practices Benjamin, Mary Wilder Benjamin, M. W. (2014). The Mountaineering Experience: Determining the Critical Factors and Assessing Management Practices (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28251 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1767 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Mountaineering Experience: Determining the Critical Factors and Assessing Management Practices by Mary Wilder Benjamin A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2014 © Mary Wilder Benjamin 2014 Abstract Recreational mountaineering is a complex pursuit that continues to evolve with respect to demographics, participant numbers, methods, equipment, and the nature of the experience sought. The activity often occurs in protected areas where agency managers are charged with the inherently conflicting mandate of protecting the natural environment and facilitating high quality recreational experiences. Effective management of such mountaineering environs is predicated on meaningful understanding of the users’ motivations, expectations and behaviours. This research explores the mountaineering experience through content analysis of mountaineering literature and key informant interviews to identify the critical factors that constitute optimal outcomes. These factors, the 7Cs of the Mountaineering Experience, provide the means to assess how management practices in the Canadian Rockies, Scottish Highlands and European Alps facilitate or hinder the mountaineering experience. Research results inform unique, visitor experience-based recommendations for improved management of mountaineering in the Canadian Mountain National Parks. ii Acknowledgements There is a French proverb that says, “What is hard to endure is sweet to remember”. As I write this section, at the end of a long, arduous process, I am already beginning to recall the rewarding discoveries I have made along the way – discoveries about myself, my research topic and the wonderful people who have supported me. This is my opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those who provided their expertise, assistance, time, love and energy. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and thank my supervisor, Dr. Michael Quinn for his consideration, expert advice, and patience and for encouraging me to turn my passion into a thesis. He exposed me to a realm of creative thinking and that excited me to develop the connections I present in this document. I would also like to thank Dr. Kathleen Rettie for her insight and thoughtful guidance. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Zac Robinson, from the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, for serving as my external committee member. This research would not have been possible without the participation and support of the following organizations: Alpine Club of Canada (specifically, the National Office and the Rocky Mountain Section), Parks Canada, Cairngorms National Park Authority, the International School of Mountaineering, Peak Mountain Training, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, University of the Highlands and Islands: Perth Centre for Mountain Studies, Yamnuska Mountain Adventures and independent historians, journalists and climbers Chic Scott and Lynn Martel. I will be forever grateful for my Mum’s unending help and encouragement. You probably know more about mountaineering than you ever wanted to and it must feel as though you’ve been to the top of Everest and back with me on this journey, without ever having put on crampons! I am so fortunate that you were there with me, through all the highs and lows. This thesis is dedicated to you. I am thankful for my Dad’s support, encouragement and understanding. Thank you for cultivating my love of the mountains. This may never have come to pass had you not taken me up Snowdon, the Devil’s Kitchen or Tal y Fan. It was a pleasure to study with my grad student kin: Colleen Arnison, Kate Cawthorn, Jenn Redvers, Ben Borkovic, Sarah Friegang, Dani Koleyak, Meg Crawford and Meggy Pollock - I am forever indebted to you. You made school fun. You made my brain tick. To my Canmore crew: Cam, Shona, Murph, Leslie, Kendra, Joe, Nickie, Andrew, Gavin, Sky, Adam, iii Julie, Faye, Lenka and Nika - thank you for your patience and support. At long last, we can go play in the mountains together again. Jason – I cannot express how much your kindness, patience and encouragement has meant to me. Thank you for believing in me. I could not have climbed this mountain without you. iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. x List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. xii Abbreviations, Definitions and Important Terms .................................................................. xiii Abbreviations ......................................................................................................................... xiii Definitions ............................................................................................................................... xiv Important Terms ..................................................................................................................... xv Epigraph ..................................................................................................................................... xvi Chapter 1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose of Research ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Research Question and Objectives .................................................................................... 2 1.4 Background and Rationale ................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Relevance ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.6 Context Background: Three Study Sites .......................................................................... 5 1.7 Scope and Scale: Delimitations and Limitations .............................................................. 9 1.8 Project Approach and Methods ......................................................................................... 9 1.8.1 Phase I: Determining the Critical Factors of the Mountaineering Experience .............. 9 1.8.2 Phase II: Validation of the 7Cs and Study Site Assessment ........................................ 10 1.9 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 2 Literature Review ..................................................................................................... 12 2.1 Social Science and Outdoor Recreation Management .................................................. 12 2.2 Outdoor Recreation Management Planning .................................................................. 13 2.2.1 Dual Mandate ............................................................................................................... 13 2.2.2 Three-fold Framework ................................................................................................. 15 2.2.3 Visitor Satisfaction, Expectations, Preferences and Trade-offs ................................... 15 v 2.2.4 Motivations for Recreation Participation ..................................................................... 19 2.2.5 The Visitor Experience Cycle ...................................................................................... 22 2.2.6 Recreation Management Frameworks ......................................................................... 23 2.2.6.1 Carrying Capacity ................................................................................................. 24 2.2.6.2 Specialization in Recreation ................................................................................