Into the mountains in winter
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| tol17. 11. 2009 12:20:05 |
I often read posts and articles on the topic of going to the mountains in winter, what not to do and various criticisms about the lack of equipment and knowledge of hikers in winter.
So I'm interested, where should a "beginner" learn what's right and what's wrong, what you can do and what not, what all you need and what to watch out for.
There are lots of theories but without practice it all makes no sense.
Question:
Where would one learn basic hiking in the mountains in snow?
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| lynx17. 11. 2009 12:37:00 |
Clubs organize winter movement courses. Or you can find more experienced company and learn through them.
First thing you need to check before the tour is the general snow cover condition - avalanche danger. http://www.arso.gov.si/vreme/napovedi%20in%20podatki/snegraz.html
Secondly you must know the path well or hope someone has already tracked it. In winter many markers are under snow.
Depending on tour difficulty comes additional gear. Gaiters always, crampons and ice axe for hard snow and ice (doesn't hurt to always have them), skis or snowshoes for break-through, and for riskier ski tours also avalanche set (shovel, probe) ...
For popular easy approaches like Viševnik in good weather you practically need nothing more than in summer, if of course you're well equipped in summer.
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| medo*17. 11. 2009 12:43:59 |
 1
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| tol17. 11. 2009 13:41:09 |
OK thanks for all the information.
But a problem arises. Say for ice axe and crampons the money was already found. But say with the shovel it gets stuck, and from the forums I've skimmed most don't use a shovel.
So what sense does buying a shovel make if my ascents won't be exactly alpinistic but mainly approaches to 2000 meters above sea level.
On courses say the shovel is mandatory, which I think deters many from the courses.
It's also silly to me that the state say charges tax on such equipment.
In UK say there's no tax on bike helmets and similar...
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| lynx17. 11. 2009 14:19:53 |
On the course you can probably rent a shovel, clubs have some in stock.
As long as you don't push into fresh snow on steep slopes, you probably don't even need a shovel. That 2000 limit will provide quite some safety, still recommend some lecture on snow properties and avalanches.
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| matic417. 11. 2009 15:15:59 |
tol where did you hear that shovel is mandatory on courses? The purpose of courses is just to learn how to use the shovel. All equipment can usually be rented. Most only learn on the course what equipment they need for snow conditions. I advise you to attend one of the courses and not rush too much with buying equipment until you know exactly what you need.
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| šerpa22. 11. 2009 17:43:37 |
"tol" have you already inquired more in detail with clubs or organizers? This interests me too - I'd try a bit in the mountains this winter.
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| krivec4. 12. 2013 08:40:05 |
I'm very interested and would like to visit some peak in winter, but I'd like to learn something in this area first with some course or experienced mountaineers. In summer I visit mountains in Slovenia a lot, mostly alone, but in winter that doesn't seem smartest to me, especially since I have no experience. So is there some course or guided ascent?
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| merkurhg7. 12. 2013 15:37:21 |
First try easier ascents where there is no danger of snow avalanches, you learn the most from your own mistakes.
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| čemšeničan7. 12. 2013 18:07:47 |
At PD Kamnik on Wednesday 11.12. a course for safe walking in mountains in winter starts, on Saturday 14.12. there's a tour, a few years ago it was a tour towards Kamniško sedlo, you can sign up online and check the phone number, if interested tell me, I'll forward the mobile number. Best regards
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| dija19. 12. 2013 21:44:28 |
and which easier ascents do you recommend?
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| Macesna20. 12. 2013 12:55:30 |
Kriška gora above Tržič for example.
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| Marky26. 12. 2013 11:27:53 |
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