Winter in the Mountains Responsibly, Respectfully, Gradually - and...

Winter in the Mountains Responsibly, Respectfully, Gradually - and with Making the Right Decisions.

Go to the mountains responsibly, it is important to gradually accumulate experience, and on the tour to make the right decisions that ensure the highest possible level of safety, the Alpine Association of Slovenia warned at a press conference at the beginning of the winter mountaineering season on Pokljuka on December 6, 2023. Winter visits to the mountains are marked by lower temperatures, shorter days, closed mountain huts, specific snow conditions, often also strong wind, therefore going to the mountains in winter requires precise planning, obtaining information from the field, taking into account personal experiences, appropriate equipment and knowledge of its use.

Snow has thoroughly covered the Slovenian mountain world, but the beauties of snow-covered mountains also bring numerous traps to visitors. According to the Slovenian Environment Agency, the danger of triggering snow avalanches is currently at the third level on the European five-level scale - that is, considerable. The problem is blown snow, and the pattern of danger is cooling after warm weather or warming after cold. "The problems that appear are mainly that the snow is not transformed and in many places is not well bonded to the base, especially where it is grassy. As a consequence of the wind, klože are formed, compacted, hard slabs of snow that give way even under small load. Above 2000 meters, there is about a meter of snow, but it quickly decreases with decreasing altitude. There we encounter icy patches. Lower down, there is a lot of fallen leaves, which with a large amount of precipitation has turned into mush and is dangerous for slipping. In the coming days, snow and avalanche conditions will change dramatically and we recommend regular monitoring and following recommendations. If it is the third degree of danger, we advise against visiting such areas, at the second degree, great caution is advised," the current snow conditions were outlined by the PZS professional associate, alpine instructor and mountain rescuer Matjaž Šerkezi.

For visiting the mountains in winter, we need complete winter equipment - ice axe, crampons and helmet, when visiting high mountains also the avalanche trio. Before each tour, it is necessary to check the condition of the equipment, snow conditions in the area we are heading to, and the openness of mountain huts. In addition to technical equipment for walking in the 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, let's not forget spare clothing and the fact that in winter the day is shorter and most mountain huts are closed, which is why we need more warm liquids and food in the backpack. Let's not forget the map, headlamp and phone with full batteries, first aid and aluminum foil or a large black bag for protection against hypothermia.

Snow-covered mountains attract more and more visitors, from hikers and alpinists to ski tourers. Equipment is more easily accessible, as are information, but for a safe visit to the mountains, we need a lot of knowledge and experience. "Even in winter, there are more and more beginners in the mountains, whom we recommend to attend appropriate courses from competent persons and go to the hills only with appropriately trained guides. The new and modern handbook by Tone Golnar 'Tour Skiing' or other appropriate professional literature also introduces us to tour skiing. The key is the responsibility of each individual. This includes possessing appropriate equipment, knowledge of its use and qualification for the selected tours. It is important to gradually acquire experience, always starting with qualified instructors or guides, constantly upgrading knowledge, and finally, it is necessary to make the right decisions that ensure the greatest possible measure of safety," emphasized the PZS general secretary Damjan Omerzu and added: "Let's not forget, there is nothing wrong if at some point we decide that it is no longer safe to continue, turn around and return to the valley. With this, we even demonstrate a higher degree of maturity, experience and personal responsibility."

Mountains in winter require a complex visitor who masters technical aids, has knowledge of dangers in the mountains, meteorology, orientation, movement, above all a great measure of respect for the mountains and awareness that the mountain will wait for him. "Conditions in the mountains in winter can be even more unpredictable than in summer. Accordingly, we must adapt our step to the snow conditions, as well as the decision when it is time to put on crampons and replace poles in hands with an ice axe. This must be done in a safe place, before we really need the ice axe and crampons. We must take into account that movement in snow requires more energy. During ascent and descent, the same tour can await us with many different surfaces, from deep snow to intermediate rocky blown areas and icy base," Omerzu explained about movement in winter conditions, which he practically demonstrated on Pokljuka with the representative of the PZS Youth Commission Klara Kavčič.

"It is important that we know how to assess the conditions on the terrain, read avalanche forecasts, have appropriate equipment and know how to use it, so that an avalanche does not occur - if it does, we have only 15 minutes to find and dig out the injured friend. The theory is clear, but in reality, the statistics are very bad. 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," highlighted the PZS professional associate and mountain rescuer Matjaž Šerkezi. An obligatory part of every mountaineer's technical equipment is also the avalanche trio. 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, since the chance of survival in a snow avalanche is greatest in the first 15 minutes after burial. The avalanche trio must always be used as a set, as only the entire set enables effective searching for the buried in an avalanche, for which we of course again need knowledge and experience. "Especially to ski tourers, we recommend the use of an avalanche backpack, which keeps us on the avalanche surface in case of an avalanche and protects our head, but this must not be a reason for additional risk."

The most popular paths in the wider area of Pokljuka run near quiet areas for capercaillie, black grouse, rock ptarmigan and chamois, therefore the Alpine Association of Slovenia with partners of the VrH Julijcev project has prepared a map of recommended ski touring paths on Pokljuka, on which ski tourers will provide animals with a greater measure of peace. "With a responsible attitude to the mountains, considerate visit and behavior, we can help reduce pressures on nature in the mountain world. In this way, we can contribute to this year's central theme of International Mountain Day, which is restoring mountain ecosystems; we will celebrate it on December 11, when we will also give special emphasis to the Read the Mountains action," announced the PZS vice-president Martin Šolar and called on mountain visitors to "be considerate to nature, with responsible behavior help the animal world survive the winter. Hikers and ski tourers, let's be a connected part of mountain nature together with animals. Within the Vrh Julijcev project, we have prepared a new leaflet Respectful and Responsible Visiting of Mountains in Winter, with which we explain the reasons that are important for species protection in the mountains and at the same time address mountain visitors on how to behave in the mountains in winter. Stick to marked and established paths or trails, especially in the forest and on forest edges. Avoid areas that animals use for resting and feeding, such as sunny rocky and unsnowed areas. It is important not to cause unnecessary noise, if a dog accompanies us, it should always be on a leash."

Tips for a Safer Visit to the Mountains in Winter

Never go to the mountains alone in winter! Inform your family about your paths and plans.
Choose mountaineering company for selected tours carefully and consider if the tour participants are up to the selected goals! Avoid self-proclaimed guides and check their competencies.
Go to the mountains appropriately equipped, learn to use the equipment.
The tour starts at home with appropriate overall preparation, choice of goal and participants, preparation of all necessary equipment, monitoring weather and snow-avalanche conditions and overall consideration of everything necessary.
Already at home, check the operation of the avalanche beacon and replace batteries if necessary, at the starting point check the operation and use it consistently.
Before the start of the season, practice walking with crampons, proper use of the ice axe and stopping with the ice axe on a slope with a safe runout.
Choose paths suitable for your psychophysical abilities, on the tour adapt to the weakest participant.
When planning the tour, take into account the short day, set off on the excursion, tour or hike early enough.
Check the openness of mountain huts (most high-mountain and mid-mountain huts are closed in winter).
Take into account data on snow conditions - on the height and state of the snow cover and on the degree of danger of triggering snow avalanches. After heavy snowfall or thawing, do not go to the mountains for at least three days due to increased danger of triggering snow avalanches.
Constantly evaluate the happenings on the tour, psychophysical well-being of individuals, snow condition, avalanche safety and other and appropriately respond to possible complications or problems. Do not forget that accidents in the mountains are usually the result of a sequence of small errors that accumulate.
Go to the mountains responsibly, it is important to gradually accumulate experience, on the tour to make the right decisions that ensure the highest possible level of safety.
Attend appropriate courses to raise knowledge and experience, if we are not up to the tour ourselves, get an appropriately qualified guide.
Take into account that you are only visitors in nature and that this is the world of animals, which are particularly sensitive in this period due to lack of food and even more exposed to injuries and death.
Take all waste to the valley and dispose of it in appropriate containers. Among the wastes that do not belong in nature are also peels of citrus fruits and bananas.
Alcohol does not belong in the mountains. Not even for courage.