Almost every day, mountain rescuers have to respond to calls from distressed hikers. This year, they have recorded 375 interventions (483 for the entire last year), which are not very encouraging figures despite all preventive activities. Planning a hiking tour and following basic advice for visiting the mountains is essential for a safe journey. One of the tips is to check before planning whether the mountain hut is open and, if you want to stay overnight, to reserve it in advance without fail.
A stable weather forecast will attract numerous hikers to the mountains this weekend, including those without basic mountaineering knowledge. To minimize interventions by mountain rescuers, it is necessary to properly pack the backpack and choose a suitable tour based on one's fitness. "This year's detailed statistics of accidents in the mountains (as of 12.8.2021) show 375 interventions, of which 144 individuals were unharmed, 67 slightly injured, and as many as 111 seriously injured. 28 individuals were mildly or severely ill, and unfortunately 22 died. It is not encouraging that mountain rescuers on the ground still encounter inadequately equipped individuals who overestimate their abilities. Almost daily, we escort hikers from the mountains who have fallen ill or do not dare to descend the same path they came up. There are many foreigners from the largest Alpine countries, whom we would expect to have a high level of mountaineering awareness," summarized PZS expert collaborator and mountain rescuer Matjaž Šerkezi.
We always head to the mountains with a backpack containing the essentials. More on the attached link.
Before the trip or tour, ask yourself:
How well prepared am I (mentally and physically)? Is the chosen path suitable for me?
What is the weather forecast? Bad weather and visibility can extend hiking time up to tenfold. Do I have clothing that will protect me from strong wind, cold, and precipitation? Is there a hut, bivouac, or shelter on the path where I can take refuge?
What is the chosen path like? In which direction will I be walking (north, south, east, west)? Prepare a route plan. Divide the path into smaller sections, anticipate breaks and approximate hiking time. Create a picture of the path and walk it in your mind.
Do I have all the necessary items in my backpack for the chosen tour?
How far is it and how much time will I need for the entire path? At the summit, we are only halfway - our goal is a safe return to the valley and home.
How steep is the terrain? Will I have to traverse it in switchbacks, which will take more time (but is less tiring)?
What is the terrain like? Are there boulders, scree fields on the path? Is there scrub that will slow me down, or can I bypass it?
Are there features on the path that I will have to overcome: screes, torrents, steep drops? Can I bypass them?
What hazards might I encounter on the path: cliffs, grassy slopes, falling rocks?
How should I walk?
What pace should I set? Will there be children with me?
Choose a tour suitable for your physical and mental readiness, taking into account your health and the health of the tour participants. Be especially careful if you have any chronic illnesses, allergies, or are a heart patient.
Summer has turned to its second half, which some will use for more demanding hiking tours according to experience. "Start to the mountains early, as afternoon thunderstorms with lightning are most common at this time of year. If a thunderstorm catches you in the mountains, it is essential to descend from ridges and exposed summits, especially where there are fixed cables or iron objects, or the rock is red, meaning it contains metals. Remove all metal objects from yourself and do not throw them away, but place them in a safe spot away from you, as you will need them after the storm. We recommend sitting on a rope or the backrest of the backpack, putting your feet in the backpack, and dressing in protective clothing. Also watch if you have a helmet on your head with metal rivets. In that case, it is better to remove it," Šerkezi carefully adds.
Important:
Listen/read the weather forecast and consider it when planning your activities in the hills.
Familiarize yourself with the weather and climate characteristics of the desired destination.
Equip yourself appropriately to the weather forecast, consider the weather and other conditions. Better a dry jacket than a wet head.
During the tour, monitor weather developments and act according to the weather and conditions.
Early bird catches the worm – showers and thunderstorms mostly occur in the afternoon.
Monitor the development of cumulus clouds; their early morning appearance heralds thunderstorms.
If you feel air humidity or cannot see far (air is hazy), then air humidity is increasing, raising the probability of thunderstorms.
If a thunderstorm is brewing, retreat from exposed points, preferably to shelter.
In good weather and favorable conditions, every goal in the hills is easier to reach.
Visits to high mountains similar to last year
For the so far part of the 2021 mountaineering season, there is good attendance in high mountains, very good in some areas. On the other hand, for huts in the mid-mountains, this half-year season is average poor, but despite everything, some huts record very good attendance. Pre-season attendance was limited and reduced due to the coronavirus epidemic, but in summer people prefer to go higher to high mountains. "Especially in high mountains, more foreigners are noticeable compared to last year's situation. The start of the season was below average due to more variable weather. Current more stable weather conditions and proverbially greater interest of Slovenes in visiting mountains in August mean full occupancy of huts, especially around the holiday weekend. This applies mainly to the most visited huts in the wider Triglav area," notes PZS expert collaborator Dušan Prašnikar.
Planinsko društvo Jesenice manages five huts and shelters. Erjavčeva koča na Vršiču, Tičarjev dom na Vršiču, Koča pri izviru Soče, Zavetišče pod Špičkom, and Koča na Golici are recording excellent attendance this year. "This season is different from last year. End of July and beginning of August we had excellent attendance in our huts. More foreigners than last year. In huts closer to Italy, there are many Italians, elsewhere also many hikers from other countries. Koča na Golici records exceptionally high attendance even when the narcissus have already bloomed. We work diligently all day. We are very satisfied with those who stayed in the huts. Every year we have bigger problems finding good hut keepers. Students seem not interested in this work at all. Still, we hope the season will be long," summarized Maja Perko from PD Jesenice.
Coronavirus conditions to some extent limit visits to mountain huts, but in high mountain huts, tolerance and acceptance of the PCT condition for visiting huts is felt. This means that hut visitors must be recovered, vaccinated, or tested (detailed PCT explanation can be read at
https://www.pzs.si/novice.php?pid=15082 ). In mountain huts (as in other accommodation facilities in Slovenia), due to covid-19 measures, the number of beds is still limited. Use of masks inside huts, hand disinfection, and mutual distance as much as possible are still mandatory.
The operation of mountain huts has also changed. Serving food and drinks is possible to a greater extent only on hut terraces. About the season at Doma na Smrekovcu, keeper Tomo Drolec. "After partial closure at the beginning of the year, we finally started working in fairly acceptable conditions. But because people are scared about all PCT requirements, overnight stays in the hut are worse than in previous years. If last year most of our guests were Slovenes, this year more foreigners are noticeable. Mostly day visitors. Since it's currently blueberry season here, there are many such hikers. Hikers from camps in the valley often come to us. So we have a varied palette of visitors, from hikers to tourists. I noticed more local hikers walking the Slovenian Mountain Trail. Due to outdoor serving, we need more staff, which is harder to get every year."
Reservation system
In 2021, most mountain huts around Triglav began accepting reservations using the mountain hut reservation system. Link to huts with reservation system and explanation is available at
https://www.pzs.si/vsebina.php?pid=268. The system has simplified the work for keepers, while also allowing each individual to make or change a reservation online as needed in advance. Additional explanation: in case of no-show for reserved beds or no notification of no-show at least 48 hours before the planned arrival (i.e., by 5 p.m. two days before arrival), a fee of 11 EUR per night per person is charged.
Tourist vouchers can also be used in mountain huts. However, not in all, so inquire about voucher use at mountain huts in advance.
As we noticed in last season, the structure of mountain visitors has changed, so an additional warning is in place for everyone to take trash to the valley and that the mountain world is a space we enter with great respect, tolerance, and understanding.
Happy trails and safe steps!