Climbing and mountaineering are both outdoor sports that involve the ascent of mountains or other natural formations, but they differ in the type of terrain and equipment used and the goals and objectives of the activity.
Climbing is a broad term that refers to the activity of ascending natural or artificial structures using various techniques and equipment. Climbing can be done on a variety of surfaces, including rock, ice, and artificial structures, and can range in difficulty from easy to extremely challenging. Climbing can be done for sport, recreation, or as a means of reaching a specific destination.
Mountaineering, on the other hand, specifically refers to the activity of climbing and traversing mountainous terrain, often involving the use of technical climbing skills and equipment such as ice axes, crampons, and rope systems. Mountaineering can include activities such as rock climbing, ice climbing, and glacier travel, and often involves the ascent of peaks and the traversing of high ridges and passes. Mountaineering can also involve wilderness travel and camping, and may involve multi-day trips or expeditions to remote areas.
Overall, climbing tends to focus more on the technical aspects of ascent and can be done on a variety of surfaces, while mountaineering specifically involves the ascent of mountainous terrain and often involves a greater degree of wilderness travel and expedition-style objectives.