Safer in the Mountains - Check the Trail Conditions

Safer in the mountains - check the trail conditions and have a properly equipped backpack.



Mountains have always represented a mysterious world to us, removed from the everyday mad world. The bravest individuals ventured into it, or the path to the mountains took them there by chance. With the advent of modern technology and beautiful photos from social networks, the myth of the inaccessibility of mountains has dissipated. Accidents in the mountains have increased in the last decade and are taking on an increasingly absurd tone. To make the step into the mountains safer, the Alpine Association of Slovenia calls for prudence and good preparation for the tour, which among other things requires information on the condition of mountain trails, as well as the latest recommendations regarding limiting the spread of coronavirus.







Accidents in the mountains draw paths







If we look at the picture of accidents in the mountains above Kamnik, in which GRS Kamnik has intervened since 2005, we quickly realize that these are mainly concentrated in the recent period on individual paths that are not marked and have appeared in the form of records on social networks, various web portals. "Many people wonder why these paths are not marked with markings and whether there would be fewer accidents with markings. But would there really be?! A mountain path marked with Knafelc's marking only means that we are on the right path and that we must embark on it prepared and properly equipped. Roots, loose stones, chamois tracks, which like mermaids with their singing lure into the depths, will still remain. We cannot remove that with markings," emphasizes Matjaž Šerkezi, professional associate of PZS for prevention and training and mountain rescuer of GRS Kamnik. In Slovenia, we have just under 10,000 km of mountain paths, of which 81 km are demanding and 50 km very demanding mountain paths. Every year, markers perform 32 thousand voluntary hours on them.







Condition on the path







In recent days, we have witnessed a flood of calls about broken steel cables, broken handholds and steps ... All this is a consequence of erosion in the mountain world. Right at this moment, work is underway on the path over Plemenice to Triglav, occasionally the path from Planika to Mali Triglav will also be closed due to work, a few meters of steel cable on Hanzova path to Mala Mojstrovka are also damaged. "Experienced mountaineers, when they encounter such a section of the path, know how to assess whether it is safe to cross the area or not and in case it is not, they turn back. If we do not have these experiences, then it is necessary to turn back every time. We must report the damage to the e-mail poskodbe.poti@pzs.si, and all information on the condition of mountain paths is collected on the website www.stanje-poti.pzs.si. Part of planning a mountain trip is also information about the mountain path we are embarking on and if it is damaged or currently closed due to work, we choose another. We do the same when we go to the sea and check the condition of the roads, and try to avoid sections that are under construction, often even closed or crowded. If we do not do this, it can happen that we will wait in a queue for several hours," adds Šerkezi.







I'm going to the mountains, I have a backpack







We always go to the mountains with a backpack. It should not contain only snacks and liters of liquid, which in most cases due to summer heat we place on the table at the hut all steamed. The backpack is our first aid. It should contain all the necessary mountain equipment suitable for the trip we are going on. If we do not have a backpack and we get into a situation that we could easily solve with it, we quickly end up among the numbers of the ever-increasing number of mountain accidents. "As an example, I can take the most common mistake of mountain visitors; they go to the mountains without a headlamp. Darkness surprises them because they stayed too long in the hut, during the descent they strayed a bit from the path and it took the next hour to find the marking again. At night, without light, on an easy mountain path, the world becomes demanding; roots, small rocks that turn under the foot, wet shaggy grass. For a while, we still light with the phone flashlight, but even that is at the end of its power after a whole day. Only that percentage of energy remains for the call to 112," warns Šerkezi and recommends that before going to the mountains, read what your backpack must contain.







Mountain boots or sports sneakers







We go to the mountains in light and comfortable mountain boots. We recommend high ones, possibly mid-high, which protect the ankles from small stones, while at the same time at least somewhat additionally strengthen the ankles. Too thermally insulated mountain boots, which are intended for walking in snow or in winter, are not suitable footwear, as the foot sweats profusely in them, which mainly affects well-being and concentration. What about light sports sneakers, which are often the footwear of daily mountain visitors? "Possible, if they have a quality sole that is also torsionally stable. Possible, if they are worn by feet accustomed to walking, which have strong muscle structure and ligaments. But they have their limitations; Uršlja Gora, Velika planina, Planina Konjščica, to Kamniško sedlo, Slavnik. But by no means with them to Triglav, Grintovec, Stol, Viševnik, Raduha ... And we will again encounter the question: Yes, Marjan Zupančič, who set out on the Slovenian mountain trail with the desire to run it in the shortest time, has running sneakers on all the time or Ana Čufer, who climbed Triglav in record time. My answer: When I ski on Krvavec, I am often tempted by the desire to achieve high speed. I let go, and I quickly realize that the ski slope Streif is reserved for the best individuals," adds Matjaž Šerkezi.







Summer thunderstorms







We set off to the mountains early in the morning, at four, five, sometimes even earlier. This way we will avoid afternoon thunderstorms, which are the most common weather phenomenon in the summer months. We are safe from lightning only in a mountain hut. Observe the sky and clouds. High, white, cumulus clouds are harbingers of an approaching thunderstorm. Descend as soon as possible to safety in the valley or to the shelter of a mountain hut. In case a thunderstorm surprises us in the mountains, it is necessary to descend from ridges and exposed peaks, especially where there are steel cables or iron objects or the rock is red, which means it contains metals. Remove all metal objects from yourself and store them in a safe place, away from yourself, as we will need them after the bad hour. Sit on a rope or the back pad from the backpack, put your legs in the backpack and dress in protective clothing. We must be as low as possible. Also be careful if we have a helmet on our head and it has metal rivets, in this case it is better to take it off the head.







We also avoid isolated, exposed objects (trees, storm poles, gendarmes ...) and make sure not to expose ourselves. Do not touch walls with the body, along which wandering lightning currents can "walk". If we are in a hollow, cave, the safest place is the middle of the cave or hollow. If we are on the edge of a ledge, it is good to attach ourselves with a rope that runs from us along the ground.







Avoid places where lightning regularly strikes. We recognize them by split tree trunks, torn ground, split rocks and reddish rocks. Wet ravines and gullies through which water flows are also very likely places for lightning strikes. The safest from lightning strike is on a scree, where we crouch or sit on a backpack. If we continue descending anyway, the distance between us should be at least 20 meters.







Important:



Listen to/read the weather forecast and take it into account when planning your activities in the hills.



Familiarize yourself with the weather and climatic characteristics of the desired destination.



Equip yourself appropriately for the weather forecast, take into account the weather and other conditions. It is better to have a dry windbreaker than a wet head.



During the tour, monitor the weather development and act according to the weather and conditions.



Early hour is golden hour – showers and thunderstorms mostly occur in the afternoon.



Monitor the development of cumulus clouds, their early morning appearance is a harbinger of thunderstorms.



If you feel the humidity of the atmosphere or cannot see far (the air is hazy), then the air humidity is increasing, which increases the probability of thunderstorms.



If a thunderstorm is preparing, move away from exposed points, if possible to shelter.



In nice weather and favorable conditions, every destination in the hills is easier to reach.







A cow looked at me







In the mid-mountains, we will often cross mountain pastures where cows, horses, small livestock graze. Observe them from afar. Do not feed the animals, especially calves, as cows are very protective of them. Avoid them in an arc. Even less try to ride them or take "selfies" in their company. If dog furries are with us, keep them on a leash.







Mountain helmet







Everywhere where the mountain path crosses a scree or leads under a wall, protect the head with a helmet, as there is an increased possibility of falling rocks. We also recommend a helmet where there is a larger number of visitors and the path runs in keys, as mountaineers before us often unintentionally trigger some stone.







Our company







We often go to the mountains with company. "A chain is as strong as its weakest link," says a nice proverb. This is especially true if there are children or elderly in our company. Adapt the trip to their abilities. "Especially with children, the first goal should not be conquering the peak, but the events on the way, the trip should not be too long. Be their companions. With the elderly, also take into account their health condition. Chronic diseases with which we can normally live everyday valley life, in the mountains due to dehydration, effort, altitude ... can quickly become serious and life-threatening (diabetes, heart problems ...). The help of mountain rescuers is far away, as it is not necessary that a helicopter can fly in and we can wait for it for several hours, which can be fatal for many. It is also necessary to know that in most mountain accidents, intervention is classic and not by helicopter," warns Matjaž Šerkezi.







I strayed from the path ...







In case you get lost, stop, calm down. Return along the same path to the last sign and find the right path. Mountain paths are marked with Knafelc's marking. If fog surprises you, do not wander into the unknown, as you risk falling into the depths or slipping down the slope. Stop again, dress warmly, take care of safety (yours and other participants), so that you do not slip down the slope and wait. In this case, the backpack with mandatory mountain equipment will save you again.







So, when you go to the mountains these days:



Plan the path.



Call the mountain hut and reserve accommodation.



You get tasty food and refreshing drinks in the mountain hut. Put on light, summer mountain boots. I recommend high ones, possibly mid-high, especially for feet unaccustomed to walking on mountain paths.



Go to the mountains early, at four, five and in this way try to avoid summer thunderstorms accompanied by lightning.



Take garbage to the valley and dispose of it in garbage bins



If you come to a broken steel cable and the path is not safe to cross, turn back; if you do not feel well or have a bad day; sit down, breathe, look at the nature around you and return with a smile; if you lose markings, return along the same path back ...







For all mountain visitors, we at the Alpine Association of Slovenia have supplemented the leaflet Safer in the Mountains, with tips and directions so that no accident occurs. For those who are interested in more, all information is also on the website www.varneje.pzs.si.







This year's mountain season is special due to numerous restrictions after the end of the coronavirus epidemic. The epidemiological picture changes daily and therefore it is necessary to follow the recommendations of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, which we have prepared based on the National Institute of Public Health.







Finally, there is an invitation to good company, the company of the Alpine Association of Slovenia. With the promotional campaign that we are spreading these days on web portals and social networks, we want to raise awareness among mountaineers about safe walking in the mountains, invite them to mountain huts, which are a unique choice for vacation and invite them to membership in PZS.







"We invite you to become part of mountain nature yourself and join the large family of 60,000 members who support mountain infrastructure. Become a member of the Alpine Association of Slovenia and enjoy its benefits, such as cheaper overnight stays in mountain huts, cheaper purchase of mountain equipment in selected stores, discount on the purchase of mountain literature and tickets, and membership insurance."