Mountain weather hazards and safety basics

What this quiz covers

Mountain weather can shift from calm to critical in minutes, so this quiz focuses on the hazards hikers and climbers meet most often and the safety fundamentals that keep small problems from escalating.

Each question is multiple-choice with 4 options and there’s no timer, so you can think through scenarios like a real pre-trip check or an on-route decision.

Skills you’ll practice

You’ll build pattern recognition for changing conditions, plus the judgment to turn information into safe choices. Mixed difficulty means beginners can learn the basics while experienced players get pushed with trickier edge cases.

• Reading early warning signs for storms, wind, and rapid temperature drops
• Choosing safe terrain and timing to reduce exposure above treeline
• Responding to lightning risk, whiteout navigation issues, and hypothermia risk
• Interpreting common forecast terms and what they imply for your route plan
• Using simple safety priorities: shelter, layers, hydration, and communication

Common pitfalls and how difficulty is balanced

Many mistakes come from underestimating wind chill, ignoring cloud/visibility trends, or committing to a plan after conditions have clearly changed. The quiz mixes straightforward safety basics with situational judgment questions to keep it fair but challenging.

To tailor your session, choose the question count you want and select an easier or harder difficulty; “Mixed” blends both so you can learn and still be tested.