When preparing for a climb, many climbers will measure the air pressure. Why?

Question

When preparing for a climb, many climbers will measure the air pressure at the highest altitudes to which they will be climbing. Why do they do this?

Answer 1

Because even at high altitudes there is still plenty of oxygen for breathing. However, pressure is what drives the oxygen into the blood stream. At lower pressure we aren't able to breath because the pressure is not high enough to get the O2 into the blood.

Answer 2

Air pressure depends on the weather, and it depends on the altitude. If you correct for the effect of the weather, then you can calculate your altitude. If you have a way of measuring pressure (a barometer, perhaps built into a watch), and you measure the pressure at the bottom of the mountain, then by measuring pressure during the climb you can calculate your altitude. The measurement at the bottom of the mountain is used to correct for the weather. Some portable barometers will do this calculation automatically, giving an ongoing reading of altitude during the climb.

Answer 3

because the air pressure affects how well you can breath, there for if the air pressure is higher or lower than what they trained for they may not want to take the climb

Answer 4

To let them determin the level of oxygen defieciency at that level.

Answer 5

to know if they can breath without an oxygen tank when they get there