Abstract

This study has undertaken a qualitative approach in the context of mountaineering in the continental United States. We have explored the risky behavior associated with this extreme activity to understand participants’ motivation for participation. We found two significant sources of motivation: an internal psychological drive and an externally-focused socio-psychological motive, both of which are key to understanding recreational risky behavior. The approach in this research is interpretive, specifically undertaking an ethnography to more fully understand the risk taking lifestyle. This approach captured richer, more detailed beliefs and attitudes toward mortality, death, self-esteem, motivation, and satisfaction in extreme sports not otherwise accessible through scales. Additionally, eight in-depth interviews were conducted approximately five months after a climbing expedition - which one of the authors participated in - took place. Findings, contributions, and implications are discussed.