What to do if a thunderstorm catches us in the mountains...

What to do if a thunderstorm or we get lost catches us in the mountains.

Summer months represent the peak of mountaineering activity in the Slovenian mountains, which are visited annually by 1.7 million visitors, both Slovenians and foreigners. A trip to the mountains must be carefully planned, prepared for, and all necessary mountaineering equipment that we know how to use must be taken along. A mobile phone with a full battery is indispensable, but when electronics fail, the most valuable are the printed map and guide, which will help even if we get lost. To avoid thunderstorms, we set out early in the morning, and if they surprise us, we descend from ridges and exposed peaks as soon as possible.



"This summer is marked by thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, so we must monitor the weather and head to the mountains early. In certain areas, we can still encounter compacted and frozen snow, which can only be crossed with appropriate equipment - ice axe, crampons, and suitable footwear. We recommend using a helmet, which protects the head in case of a fall on wet roots or rocks and from small falling rocks, which there are more of this year mainly due to abundant snow in winter and current downpours that loosen the rocks. Where paths run under walls, using a helmet is essential," advises a professional associate of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) and alpine instructor Matjaž Šerkezi, and reminds that the tour must be adapted to the experience and abilities of the weakest participant, as publications in media and social networks can directly and unconsciously invite readers to move on more difficult terrain, which is dangerous and the cause of numerous mountain accidents, of which there have already been 244 this year, with 19 individuals losing their lives.



In the backpack of every mountain visitor, regardless of the type of tour, belong aluminum foil or a large black bag or bivouac bag, personal first aid kit, headlamp and spare batteries, mobile phone with full battery, notebook and ordinary pencil, candle and matches in a waterproof bag, and iron reserves (food with high energy value and long shelf life that is light and has small volume). Mountaineers should also take warm clothing, hat, and gloves; in the mountain world, the weather changes very quickly, very low temperatures and snow in the mountains in summer are not unusual, and most hypotheremias occur precisely in the summer months. It is also necessary to inquire about the path and its condition. Mountain paths in Slovenia are excellently equipped, but they are in nature and exposed to various disturbances such as the number of visitors, avalanches, downpours, so a path that was safe and passable yesterday can have a completely different appearance the next moment. Quality and verified information on the condition of mountain paths and safer mountain visiting can be found on the website of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, more detailed information from the keepers of mountain huts. In case of an accident, always call 112.



A mobile phone is useful for navigation in the mountains and indispensable if we need to call for help, but for safer mountain visits, a compass and mountain map belong in every backpack, warns the general secretary of PZS and mountain education instructor Matej Planko: "Even when electronic devices fail, batteries run out, or we accidentally damage the screen, the valuable aids are the printed map and guide. Here the information is verified, unlike information on websites and social networks, where distance must be maintained and a lot of experience in judging is needed; in addition, they are an important source of data for tour planning, which is essential and key from the perspective of safer mountain visiting. Therefore, a compass and mountain map belong in every backpack; for tour planning, use printed guides, and web data should serve to refresh conditions and current events in a particular area." The Alpine Association of Slovenia has been publishing mountain maps and guides of Slovenian mountain areas for decades, which are a vivid and reliable depiction of the mountains on paper and the best aid for mountain visitors in the field.



The map and compass will also be welcome if we stray from the path or get lost in the mountains. "Mobile applications, which are also featured in the current issue of Planinski vestnik, are helpful for tour planning, but are not a substitute for the printed map and classic compass," emphasizes Matjaž Šerkezi as well: "If we get lost, stay calm and try to safely return along the path we came by to the first known point, e.g., a signpost, marker, or known section of the path. If darkness or fog catches us and we are not life-threatened - life-threat means injuries, severe cold ... and not the need for water and food -, try to spend the night outdoors or bivouac emergently, by putting on all clothes, sitting on the backpack in the shelter of trees, bushes, log, and maintaining a positive thought, then solve the situation with daylight. It is important to inform loved ones of our intention and thus reassure them. In the night and fog, do not continue the path into the unknown under any circumstances, as this mostly ends with serious injuries resulting from slipping or falling over a wall. If our life is threatened or we are injured or in an area with a high possibility of objective dangers, call 112. It is also important to save the mobile phone battery, as it will be the only connection with mountain rescuers."



This summer is not sparing with showers and thunderstorms, so it's good to know how to behave if a thunderstorm catches us in the mountains. There is no protection against lightning strike, only prevention, which means setting out to the mountains early enough and being safe in the valley or mountain hut in the afternoon when summer thunderstorms are most common, recommends Šerkezi and explains: "If a thunderstorm surprises us in the mountains, we must 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 ourselves and do not throw them away, but put them in a safe place away from us, as we will need them after the storm. We recommend sitting on a rope or the backrest of the backpack, putting feet in the backpack, and putting on protective clothing. We must be as low as possible. Also avoid solitary trees and exposed objects, do not touch walls with the body through which lightning currents can 'walk'. The safest from lightning strike is on a scree, where we crouch or sit on the backpack. If we still continue descending, the distance between us should be at least 20 meters."