Snowy mountains require an experienced, equipped and...

Snowy mountains require an experienced, equipped, and respectful visitor.

Snowy mountains require a complex visitor who masters technical aids, has knowledge of mountain hazards, meteorology, orientation, movement, and above all, a great deal of respect for the mountains and awareness that the mountain will wait for them, as warned by the Alpine Association of Slovenia at a press conference at the beginning of the winter mountaineering season on Velika planina on December 8. Winter visits to the mountains are marked by lower temperatures, shorter days, closed mountain huts, and specific snow conditions, so going to the mountains in winter requires precise planning, obtaining information from the field, considering personal experiences, appropriate equipment, and knowledge of its use.



The theme of International Mountain Day, which we celebrate on December 11, is sustainable tourism in the mountains - this year even more important from the perspective of the increasingly massive visits to the mountains during the pandemic. "The sensitive mountain world in a broader sense was already overburdened with visitors in seasonal peaks before the coronavirus, now the demand is even greater. Everything strives towards nature, towards the mountains, but many do not realize the sensitivity and fragility of the mountain world, on the other hand, many go to the mountains unprepared. Safety in the mountains is also equivalent to sustainable mountaineering tourism," emphasized the vice president of the Alpine Association of Slovenia and mountaineering education instructor Martin Šolar, and outlined the specifics of orientation in winter: "In winter or in snow, the mountains are different, so good preparation for the tour, knowledge of the proper and correct use of equipment, and knowledge of the specifics in the mountains in winter time are especially important. Paths are usually under snow in winter, and in many cases, markings are also under snow, signs can be snowed in. At the same time, we must also consider that we should not blindly follow the path route that is drawn on the map or that we have in navigation. We need to assess snow or avalanche conditions and only if the risk assessment is low, follow the visible point of our ascent or the compass and map or navigation device."

Snow has thoroughly covered the Slovenian mountain world, and due to large temperature changes on steeper slopes, spontaneous triggering of the snow cover often occurs, as presented by the professional associate of the Alpine Association of Slovenia and mountain rescuer Matjaž Šerkezi on the current conditions in the mountains: "The danger of triggering snow avalanches above 1400 meters altitude is level three on the five-level European scale or considerable, lower it is level two. The snow is wind-blown, particularly dangerous are areas with inclinations between 30 to 55 degrees, where due to the amount of snow, spontaneous triggering of the snow cover occurs. Triggering is even more frequent with additional load. The base must also be considered, as in many places there was already previous snow that was frozen, compacted ... New snow fell on this base, which triggers even with a smaller load. Such areas are dangerous mainly because the danger is hard to assess. It is difficult to assess even for individuals who deal with snow avalanches daily. Places with less snow are dangerous for triggering slab avalanches, as there have been pronounced temperature changes in these days. According to data from the Slovenian Environment Agency, the trend of snow conditions in the next days will not change significantly, and the snow will remain dry due to low temperatures. The gentle cover will slowly stabilize. However, dangerous will remain mainly places with wind-blown snow. Due to renewed snowfall, the danger of snow avalanches will increase."

"Visiting snowy mountains is for experienced individuals. Knowledge of using winter equipment, such as ice axe and crampons, is necessary, otherwise both aids can be deadly dangerous. Every visitor should have an avalanche kit, ski tourers an avalanche backpack. Visiting mountains in winter, as we see individuals today ascending Viševnik, Grintovec, even Triglav in mini crampons or chains, with poles in hands or with two ice axes, one ice axe and without gloves ... is dangerous behavior. Such individuals are not even aware of their actions, that they are in danger and that with 'instructive' posts on social networks they put others in danger. Snowy mountains require a complex personality who masters technical aids, has knowledge of mountain hazards, meteorology, orientation, movement ... Above all, has a great deal of respect for the mountains and is aware that the mountain will wait and knows to turn back two steps before the summit," Šerkezi laid on the heart of mountain visitors.

For visiting mountains in winter, we need complete winter equipment - ice axe, crampons, and helmet, when visiting high mountains also an avalanche kit. Before every tour, it is necessary to check the equipment condition, snow conditions in the area we are heading to, and the openness of mountain huts. In addition to technical equipment for walking in mountains in winter, we need all the equipment as for mountains in summer, dry conditions, additionally good winter mountaineering boots, gaiters for protection against snow entering the boots, quality clothing that protects against wind, cold, and moisture and has good insulating properties. Protection against strong sun is necessary, do not forget spare clothes and the fact that in winter the day is shorter and most mountain huts are closed, which is why we need more warm liquid and food in the backpack. Do not forget the map, headlamp with full batteries, first aid, and alu-foil or a large black bag for protection against hypothermia.

The most important basic equipment for walking in hills in winter is good winter mountaineering footwear, highlighted Martin Šolar: "A good winter boot may seem clumsy at first glance, as the well-profiled sole is harder, boots are usually higher and made so that they are warmer and do not let in moisture." Hiking poles in winter provide additional support on snowy ground, they are a great help in walking in deep snow, also on frozen snow when we do not have crampons on feet, it is also important that in winter they are equipped with wide snow baskets and metal tip. "For visiting high mountains, the only correct choice is 10- or 12-point mountaineering crampons. Various mini crampons, chains, and other rubber derivatives, which are a real fashion hit in recent years, belong in the city and on more flat terrains, as they do not have front points and are not suitable or can be very dangerous for serious mountaineering tours. Unfortunately, we see people using mini crampons in high mountains, even mountain runners use them. The use of mini crampons has already contributed to accidents, even with fatal outcomes. Mini crampons are not even classified as proper winter mountaineering equipment," further warned the mountaineering education instructor Šolar and demonstrated the danger of mini crampons when used on unsuitable terrain, as on steep slopes they can come off the boots, causing a slip.

"Just as it is clear to us that for a winter visit to the mountains we dress warmly and put on boots, it must be clear to us that 12-point crampons and a classic ice axe belong in the backpack, along with a helmet. With crampons, we make walking in compacted and hard snow easier, on icy surfaces they are the only ones that prevent slipping, and the helmet will protect the head. A slip can still happen, effectively and quickly we can stop only with an ice axe. Of course, we need to know how to use the equipment, as just having it does not guarantee safer walking, on the contrary, we can be dangerous to ourselves," highlighted the professional associate of PZS and mountaineering education instructor Matej Ogorevc, when he demonstrated the use of crampons and ice axe.

We adjust the size of crampons already at home, on the terrain we put them on before we reach terrain dangerous for falling. When we put on crampons, we take the ice axe in hands, which we attach with a strap, Ogorevc listed some basic rules for walking with crampons and stopping with an ice axe: "Walking with crampons is specific - the step must be slightly wider, feet turned outward. We step as perpendicular as possible to the ground, so that all points can play their role. In the case of walking perpendicular up the slope, we walk on two front points. When walking downhill, we step first on the heel and then on the whole foot. If the slope is too steep, we turn the body towards the slope, descend again only on the front two points of crampons. The most critical are turns during walking, when we need to be even more careful not to catch the crampon in the pant leg and fall. Regardless, during walking we must be focused and always prepared for a fall. As already said, we can stop a fall only with an ice axe, we must react instantly and start stopping practically right after the fall. Already after a few seconds, the speeds are so high that we will not be able to stop quickly (and painlessly) anymore. Therefore, here too applies - practice makes perfect. We can master on every tour, we just need a few meters of slope with a safe runout and appropriate equipment."

Also, an obligatory part of every mountaineer's technical equipment is the avalanche kit, explained the instructor of the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia Matjaž Šerkezi: "The avalanche beacon is intended for rough and the avalanche probe for fine determination of the victim's position, the avalanche shovel for quick and effective digging, as the chance for survival in a snow avalanche is greatest in the first 15 minutes after burial. We must always use the avalanche kit as a set, as only the complete one enables effective search for the buried in an avalanche, for which we of course again need knowledge and experience." Everyone who finds themselves in the mountains in winter should master the two-way test of avalanche beacons, searching for the buried with an avalanche beacon, and digging out the buried. Currently, the greatest danger is slab avalanches, which in the entire area of the Alpine arc countries are the most common cause of accidents and death in the mountains, warned Šerkezi: "A slab is a hard, compacted snow plate that breaks off, triggers already with a small load - if as a mountaineer we step on it, if a ski tourer skis onto it - and we slide down the slope on it. We quickly reach high speed and practically there is no rescue. Slabs are the biggest concern even for the most experienced mountaineers, such as guides, instructors, mountain rescuers, as they are hard to predict or assess."

Mountain rescuers intervene more frequently year after year. By December 7, 2021, they carried out 602 rescue actions (while last year all year 485), of which 29 with fatal outcomes (last year 33). That among the interventions of mountain rescuers there are very few events at organized mountaineering activities, can be an invitation to mountain visitors to join one of the 293 mountaineering societies and clubs, concluded Šerkezi and presented the importance of membership in the mountaineering organization: "For car insurance we never hesitate, for our own insurance we are ready to save without thinking. The PZS membership fee namely also represents quality insurance for covering the costs of rescue in foreign mountains, together with health assistance. The membership fee for 2022 remains the same, with it we also support diligent mountaineering workers, enable financing of the renovation of mountaineering paths and huts, and as members have numerous benefits."