In the mountains, Mr. Sherpa can spend months trekking over glaciers and negotiating ice falls and treacherous crevasses at nosebleed heights.
New York Times
(Jan 21, 2012)
elevation above sea level or above the earth's surface
After passing on one field because the balloon did not have enough altitude for a safe jump, Mr. Ristaino adjusted his altitude.
New York Times
(Mar 20, 2012)
a slide of large masses of snow, ice and mud down a mountain
Twelve Indian soldiers were killed, 4 injured and 7 more are missing after two avalanches in Kashmir buried military camps on Wednesday evening.
New York Times
(Feb 23, 2012)
an unpredictable phenomenon that causes a certain result
Full of hazard; attended with risk; exposing to danger; requiring courage; rash; Ð applied to acts; as, an adventurous undertaking, deed, song.
Webster, Noah