Qhis year more than ever the mountain is among the favorite destinations of many vacationers. Cooler climate, direct contact with nature, less crowded places are some of the reasons that bring more and more Italians to the peaks.
Trekking, walking, hiking they are certainly the most popular activities to which you dedicate yourself during a holiday in the mountains. Unfortunately, however, particular attention is not always paid to the dangers – which exist – and we start a little too “on the adventure”. In fact, according to CAI data, ben 75% of summer mountain accidents are caused by sliding on slopes.
Friendly and safe mountain
Just to make the holidays in the mountains safe and proof of unpleasant accidents, the Cai Alpine Rescue Guide promoted the campaign “Friendly and Safe Mountain”Which aims to inform everyone on the appropriate behaviors, and on those to avoid, to live with serenity and safety the excursions, walks and treks to the summit, whatever the degree of preparation of departure.
The advice of the CAI
The first thing to do, when planning a hike or a walk, is to read the weather reports of the area that you intend to attend at least 3/4 days before the exit. For more security, it would be best to ask the help of an expert for interpretation.
Any tour or excursion then goes carefully prepared by consulting books or websites to identify the actual technical difficulties and, for more information, you can always contact the local Guides, Rescue Operators or Shelter Managers.
Although they are now also available on smartphones, take them with you a hiking topographic map of the area and a compass it’s always a good idea. Remember, then, that to orient a map the top of the map must point north as indicated by the compass.
Then consider your physical condition before trying your hand at particularly long or difficult routes and do not forget that the most delicate moment may turn out to be the descent because relaxation, determined by fatigue, could make you make some dangerous mistakes.
To this end, you can recognize the difficulty of the paths by very clear wording; the classification It is divided into:
T = tourist
E = hiking
EE = expert hikers
EEA = expert excursions with equipment
Before leaving
Before leaving, it is also important to properly prepare the backpack, always carrying with you: hat, via ferrata gloves, a fleece, a rain jacket, a protective cream with high SPF (at high altitude, UV rays are less filtered and therefore more direct and strong), an anti-insect spray and sunglasses.
Remember, then, that the air temperature it decreases by about 6 ° C every 1000 m of altitude. Don’t forget either a first aid kit and any spare parts. Needless to say, you must always equip yourself with appropriate footwear, with non-slip sculpted sole. As for the hi-tech gadget which may prove useful to have with you, instead consult the gallery above.
And if you are a real lover of the mountains and its multiple sceneries, it might be worthwhile adequate training to safely tackle these routes attending a course organized by the CAI.
They seem trivial or obvious advice, but often you do not think about it only to find yourself in unpleasant if not dangerous situations.
During the excursions
Nutrition and hydration are essential during walking. Because of the effort there is a detail need for carbohydrates easily assimilated and source of energy. The same attention must be paid to the water, not surprisingly the main component of our body. Try to drink a lot, even if you are not thirsty, perhaps adding sugars to the water. Bring some too natural snacks such as dried fruit; they will not take up too much space but will be useful for recharging.
Instead, forget about the fruits and berries you find along the path, unless you are an expert on the subject. A beautiful plant or fruit with eye-catching colors, as well as a mushroom that we think might be edible, can contain harmful if not lethal toxic substances.
Don’t venture alone
As far as you know the area, you have documented yourself and prepared everything with the utmost care, basically solo excursions should be avoided. In any case, always leave it said where you are headed by informing the hut managers of your passage and filling in the shelter and / or bivouac book. Keep in mind that it takes about an hour for a trained and moderately equipped hiker to overcome 300 meters of elevation gain.
When is it best to leave? Early in the morning. This because thunderstorms in summer are more frequent in the afternoon. In summer, then, you can run into no less dangerous heat storms due to convective lifting. When the sun warms the ground, the layer of air closest to the ground warms up; the air, thus heated, being lighter than the surrounding air, is carried upwards expanding and condensing into clouds: the faster and more developed the uplift, the greater the precipitation and related phenomena such as lightning, also accompanied by strong gusts of wind.
Finally, consider that your training, the difficulties of the itinerary, the meteorological changes, the high attendance of certain routes, can extend the expected travel times.
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