The Slovenian Alpine region is demanding and requires a well-prepared individual with experience and knowledge of equipment use. To make the steps of both domestic and foreign visitors to Slovenian mountains safer, to ensure they are properly equipped, to help them find their way on hiking trails or in case of an accident in the mountains, the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS), in collaboration with the Mountain Rescue Service of Slovenia, has prepared a bilingual brochure with tips for safer summer mountain visits.
"The Slovenian Alpine region is wonderful, especially in the summer months, when it's scorching in the valleys but the air higher up is fresh and pleasantly cool. However, it is demanding, and even in late summer, we can encounter snow patches or be surprised by afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and turbulent weather changes. In light of the rising number of mountain accidents, at the Alpine Association of Slovenia we endeavour throughout the year to raise awareness among mountain visitors about safer mountain-going, the pitfalls they might encounter, and what to watch out for when preparing a trip. For this purpose, in collaboration with the Mountain Rescue Service of Slovenia, we have prepared the brochure 'Safer in the mountains in summer', which contains all the key information on safer mountain visits: how to plan, what hiking trails Slovenia has, what to pack in the backpack, what to do if an accident occurs. This is just a small step towards reducing the number of mountain accidents, but each individual can make a bigger one by preparing for the trip, following recommendations, and above all, using common sense in their head rather than in their mobile phone," emphasises Matjaž Šerkezi, PZS professional associate for prevention and training.
On northern slopes and in deep gullies, high mountains still have plenty of hard snowfields that pose an extreme slipping hazard! Therefore, in addition to quality footwear and other essential gear in the backpack (first-aid kit, map, headlamp, emergency food ration and sufficient fluids, mobile phone, aluminium foil or bivouac sack), we also recommend crampons and ice axe. Loose rocks crumbling from walls due to winter effects are also dangerous. A helmet is thus almost obligatory technical gear if moving in wall areas or below them. Many trails may still be littered with rocks or damaged after winter's end. Mountain visitors should consider all this when choosing their destination, route, and activity - adapting it to their psychophysical fitness and experience. Route planning is the first step to safer mountain visits, so check the weather forecast and trail conditions before setting off. If planning to overnight in a mountain hut, make a reservation as some are heavily booked; if not going, definitely cancel it to spare hut keepers much inconvenience and worry.
The brochure is printed in Slovenian and English, 10,000 copies each. Find it on the PZS website in PDF format and at the Alpine Association of Slovenia headquarters; from this week it will also be available elsewhere in Slovenia - in tourist information centres, local tourist organisation offices, police stations, some accommodation providers, mountaineering clubs, and huts.
"At the Alpine Association of Slovenia, we believe foreign visitors should already be alerted to the dangers, required gear, and knowledge needed for safe mountain-going in the initial phase when presenting our beauties to them. Alongside our regular prevention activities, this year we have also prepared a summer safe mountain visits brochure in Slovenian and English. We are already in talks with the Slovenian Tourist Board on how to convey this information as quickly and effectively as possible to foreign mountain visitors, tourist service providers, and information centre staff who often advise these visitors on excursions or hiking trips," explains Matej Planko, General Secretary of the Alpine Association of Slovenia.
https://www.pzs.si/javno/javno/PZS-varneje-v-gore-poleti-slo.pdf
https://www.pzs.si/javno/javno/PZS-summer-mountaineering-safety-tips_eng.pdf