Planned, responsible and respectful into the mountains in winter

Visiting the mountains in winter is marked by lower temperatures, shorter days, closed mountain huts, and specific snow conditions, for which we must be adequately prepared and head into the mountains in a planned and responsible manner, while not forgetting to respect nature. The Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) and the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia (GRZS) presented International Mountain Day 2018, current conditions in the mountains, mandatory equipment and its use, mountain rescue statistics for 2018, tips for unexpected bivouacking, and recommendations for safe ski touring at a press conference on December 11 on Krvavec.



On International Mountain Day, December 11, the Alpine Association of Slovenia also wishes to draw attention to the importance of the mountain world and the necessity of sustainable and nature-friendly development in mountain areas, emphasized PZS Vice-President Martin Šolar in his introduction: "Understanding the cultural significance of mountains, which we have supported for years with the Brati gore campaign, a respectful attitude towards important milestones of our rich mountaineering history, such as this year's 240th anniversary of the first ascent of Triglav, emphasis on authentic and in-depth mountain experiences including adherence to the Safe in the Mountains principle, as well as sustainability and nature-friendliness, are essential constants for mountaineering as well. The pressures on our mountain world are enormous with the growth in visitation, and only through prudent guidance of visitor flows, together with well-maintained and environmentally modern infrastructure in the mountains, can we preserve the mountain world and experience it for ourselves and for future generations."



The importance of mountaineering, an increasingly important part of Slovenia's tourist infrastructure, and its challenges of modern times, when the mountain environment is exposed to such pressures as never before in history, is addressed in this year's PZS message for International Mountain Day. "If we look at International Mountain Day 2018 through the prism of mountain tourism, it is clear that mountaineering and alpinism with all its infrastructure (huts, trails, natural climbing areas) and activities is becoming an integral part. It is true that it is largely carried out on the shoulders of volunteers, but that makes it all the more valuable. It is time for the authorities to recognize this and start an equal dialogue with it, the result of which can only be positive for both sides, especially for implementing the adopted strategy for Slovenia's tourist development," wrote PZS Vice-President Miro Eržen. You can read the full message at the following link: International Mountain Day - an opportunity for reflection on where we are and where we are going with activities in the mountain world.



Snow slightly whitened Slovenian mountains over the past weekend, and although the avalanche danger level on the five-level European scale is low or level one, this does not mean there is no danger, warned Matjaž Šerkezi, PZS expert collaborator and alpine instructor: "There is snow in the mountains, but it is quite wind-packed and consequently crusty and hard. Due to wind-blown snow, there is locally a possibility that a slab will release under greater load. Caution is also advised where there is no snow, but the base is frozen due to low temperatures or ice is hidden under leaves, posing a risk of slipping. In recent days, stronger winds have been present in the mid-mountains and high mountains, so caution is needed as it can quickly throw us off balance on exposed areas, while also intensely cooling the body, especially if we are not moving. We should also consider shorter days and that fog or poor visibility, a fairly common companion in the mountains in winter, requires an experienced mountaineer and extensive orientation knowledge - mobile apps are not a solution."



Šerkezi advises complete winter equipment for mountain visits - avalanche transceiver, ice axe, crampons, and helmet. Before each trip, check the condition of the equipment, snow conditions in the area we are heading to, and the opening of mountain huts. In addition to special equipment for winter mountain walking, we need all the equipment as for summer dry conditions, plus good winter mountaineering boots, gaiters to protect against snow entering the boots, quality clothing that protects against wind, cold, and moisture and has good insulating properties. Sun protection is also needed, do not forget spare clothing, and the fact that most mountain huts are closed, so we need more hot fluids and food in the backpack. "In the abundance of various equipment, one must realize that it's not just important to have the equipment, but to know how to use it. We often encounter mountaineers who have all the necessary equipment, but its use is inappropriate. Walking in the mountains in winter requires an individual who, in addition to good physical fitness, also has a great deal of knowledge of alpine technique, experience, and skills - about avalanches, walking on different types of snow and ice, protection from cold and wind, orientation... Otherwise, it's better to choose easier goals, and for more demanding ones, go with a PZS guide or mountain guide," he adds.



"If we miss the path or track due to fog, darkness, snowfall, and wandering back and forth drains our energy, we decide on unplanned bivouacking, which we can otherwise prevent with proper trip planning, timely termination of the ascent and return to the valley, and knowledge of GPS use. Bivouacking means surviving the night outdoors in the hope that conditions will improve the next morning. We choose a safe place for the bivouac, avoiding slopes and ridges. Most importantly, we are protected from the wind in the bivouac, due to which we cool down extremely quickly," explained Jani Bele, President of the Information and Analysis Commission of the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia. In the forest, a suitable hole around a spruce trunk is good for bivouac, in dwarf pine we make a shelter with broken branches. In such cases, we see what spare clothing and a few aids that we should always carry mean: aluminum foil or black plastic bag, candle, matches. If we have an ice axe and avalanche transceiver, we dig a hole in the snow, use the avalanche probe or ski pole to find the thickest snow cover - most often some drift - and start digging with a shovel or ice axe. We take care not to sweat. Once protected from the wind, we can expand the space inside a bit. A lit candle raises the temperature by a few degrees and makes waiting easier, we can even doze a little, advises the mountain rescuer.



Mountain rescuers intervene more frequently from year to year. "In 2018, we exceeded last year's number of rescue actions. By December 10, 2018, there were 519 actions performed, compared to 510 for the whole of last year. Unfortunately, we brought 31 dead to the valley (28 last year), of which 14 were those engaged in one of the mountaineering activities," Bele gave a brief analysis and listed outstanding accidents: "At the beginning of the main mountaineering season, there were quite a few rescues because unprepared mountaineers on paths running along the northern sides of mountains were surprised by snow patches. Well, we could talk about surprise if there were no snow patches there at this time. There were also many exhausted mountaineers at that time who probably did not go to the mountains in winter and set themselves overly ambitious goals. We also recorded a higher number of serious accidents in climbing routes." Despite abundant snowfall last winter, fortunately there were no fatalities due to avalanches, only five interventions due to avalanches were recorded, although there were significantly more such incidents. Many incidents in avalanches ended happily mainly due to the use of the avalanche transceiver and following tips obtained at trainings.



To have fewer accidents in the mountains, follow the recommendations of the Club Alpin Autrichien (CAA) for safe ski touring, with which PZS also wants to actively respond to risks present in the mountains in winter. Experts recommend heading to the mountains healthy and physically fit, planning the tour precisely, using all necessary equipment correctly, familiarizing yourself with snow conditions and assessing avalanche risk, on the tour being attentive to orientation and stops, maintaining distance between group members, avoiding falls, skiing in small groups and not alone, while also respecting nature. PZS General Secretary and mountaineering education instructor Matej Planko emphasized: "In addition to skis, poles, and skins, indispensable equipment is also the avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, along with a first aid kit, bivouac bag, and mobile phone. When heading to more demanding terrain, crampons, ice axe, harness, and helmet are mandatory. All equipment must be checked at home and adjusted as needed. An avalanche airbag increases survival chances if swept away by an avalanche, but we are not safer with it, nor does its use mean we can go on a tour with greater exposure to avalanches and take more risks. Since many ski tourers go skiing abroad, it is important to arrange appropriate insurance due to possible rescue in case of an accident. By joining one of the 289 mountaineering clubs, accident insurance and insurance for rescue and treatment costs abroad with 24-hour assistance are also provided."



During winter activities in the mountains, one must be aware of their impact on wildlife, so Triglav National Park (TNP) informs mountain visitors with digital campaigns Pirotehnika - NE! and Bodi del gora!, about which Sašo Hrovat, head of the nature protection supervision service in TNP, said: "In winter, let's be considerate visitors to nature, as we are only guests in the mountains. Animals must adapt to harsher living conditions to survive the winter. To encourage responsible mountain visiting in nature-sensitive areas, the Triglav National Park Public Institute collaborates in the awareness campaign of the Alpine network of protected areas Alparc with a short video. In the pre-Christmas days, it is also appropriate to warn that the use of pyrotechnic devices does not belong in the national park and in nature in general. On the area of Triglav National Park, the use of pyrotechnic devices is regulated not only by the law on explosives and pyrotechnic products but also by the TNP law, which prohibits their use in the natural environment."