Sicuri in montagna - costanaturatrekking

Mountain Safety & Advice

CLASSIFICATION
OF DIFFICULTIES

hiking

Hiking paths and difficulty level

T = Tourist Itinerary on small roads, stairs, mule tracks or wide paths. The routes generally do not require specific training other than that typical of the walk; suitable for everyone.
H = Hiking Routes on paths or obvious traces in various types of terrain (pastures, debris, stones …). They are generally marked with red and white paint or only red They can also take place in snowy environments but only slightly inclined. They require training to walk even for a few hours and stress on the knees for the presence of long stretches of stairs, suitable for all
EH = Experienced hikers these routes are generally signposted but with some difficulty: the terrain can be made up of slippery slopes of grass, mixed of rocks and grass, rocks, although paths that do not require special equipment you can present individual rocky passages easy to climb (use of hands in some places). They require surefootedness and absence of vertigo. The physical preparation must be adequate for a day of fairly continuous walking.
EEA = The routes equipped with fixed ropes, chains or ladders (via ferrata); must be addressed with adequate equipment and experience. require the use of snowshoes, have easy access routes, take place at the bottom of the valley or in wooded areas or on ridges which guarantee, overall, safe practicability.

Page edited by:
Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino Speleologico, Club Alpino Italiano, Cai Escursionismo.

All the useful tips for tackling a mountain excursion.

Getting out into the hills is the perfect remedy to the hectic lives we lead and has been proven to enhance our well-being, but we must be prepared as the mountain environment can change very quickly. The weather on the hill could be very much different than at the roadside.

There are many factors that go to make up how you can remain safe on the hill, such as having the right equipment and having essential skills such as navigation, knowledge of the effects of weather (use a mountain weather service), first-aid, recognition of the hazards and what to do in case of an emergency.

To gather experience, don’t jump straight in at the deep end: take a progressive approach and build on the skills and experience you have already gained so that you’re not tackling things beyond your capabilities.

PERSONAL PREPARATION

Physically and mentally

Only a very small number of walkers or climbers get into difficulty in the mountains, but you must be prepared and know what to do and who to call. If you are involved in an accident in the hills, the main thing is to remain calm, assess the situation and then decide what to do;

Make sure you and the group are not in immediate danger
Give first aid to the injured
Locate your exact position
Keep warm and decide whether to descend, find shelter, remain where you are or call for help.
If you do get into difficulty and need assistance, please call 112 and, then ask for Mountain Rescue.

EQUIPMENT

What to wear and what to carry in your backpack.

Everyone can be well prepared by ensuring to follow some basic advice:

Having the right kit is essential not only to keep you warm and dry but to keep you safe. The kit you buy, and use should reflect the type of activity that you intend to do and the conditions you may face.

The following list details the essentials for general hillwalking:

Trekking shoes Well fitting, suitable for the terrain you will walk on and the activity you plan to do.
Gaiters may be beneficial for areas that are particularly boggy or where ticks may be present.

Clothing A layered system is always best as you can adjust for the temperature better. The base layer should wick away the moisture with an insulating mid-layer and a breathable waterproof jacket (with hood) and trousers. A hat and gloves should be packed also.

Avoid any materials that may absorb water e.g. cotton T-shirt or jeans. If possible, wear clothing, especially a waterproof jacket that is a bright colour, so that you can easily be found in the event of an emergency.

DIET

Food and drink under control.

Don’t forget to pack according to the weather so a sun hat, sun glasses and sun screen along with midge repellent/net should be packed if appropriate. Take enough food for the whole of your journey.

Carry a water bottle. You will usually be able to top this up from mountain streams, but it’s best to check availability in advance so you don’t run short.

The organization of hiking trips

How to approach the mountain.

Navigation Always, always have a map and compass and know how to use it. Smartphones or GPS are excellent navigation aids but should not be relied on solely. Make sure you have the right map for the area you are walking in and check that your compass is working each time before you set off.

Backpack Only use a rucksack big enough for the items that you will need. You may have to keep the contents in a waterproof bag if the rucksack is not waterproof.

Safety equipment A whistle, head torch (with spare batteries or – better – a spare torch), survival bag, group shelter, first aid kit and mobile phone are essential. If you walk on your own, consider using a Personal Locator Beacon.

Other item Walking poles are very useful as they save energy and limit damage to the knees.

BAD WEATHER

If you know it, avoid it

Are written forecasts preferable to those that use icons? In a text, the forecaster can describe the forecast indicating the different levels of uncertainty. Forecasts using icons alone are approximate and cannot communicate the level of uncertainty and/or variability of the forecast.

While the icons for full sun or a cloud with two rain drops indicate good and bad weather, respectively, the icon with a sun, cloud and raindrop together may indicate an uncertain forecast or good weather in the morning and bad weather in the afternoon or vice versa.

THE MEASURE OF DIFFICULTIES

To each their own path.

Routes in the mountains present very different difficulties, which is why hikes should always be planned in advance by gathering reliable information or consulting books and manuals.

The choice of the path to be followed should be commensurate with the hikers' abilities, i.e. the ability and training of the weaker members of the group (remember that these, including children, should always proceed upstream of the experienced companion in challenging sections, both uphill and downhill, and in a close position). It should not be forgotten that some critical passages can only be overcome safely with the appropriate use of rope belaying.

The difficulty scale used by the CAI, and widely used, takes into account certain important parameters such as: the length of the route, the height difference to be overcome, the type of terrain, the exposure, and the difficulty of orientation. However, it must be remembered that the seasons and weather conditions can radically change the difficulty of the same route.

The presence of snow, an unforeseen frost, night-time damp on a steep meadow, a sudden thunderstorm, drastically worsen the difficulties of an itinerary, especially if one does not have the preparation and adequate equipment to deal with situations that are difficult to foresee beforehand.

The walking times should be studied beforehand and checked during the trip, without forgetting that, in the mountains, time is precious. Even in fine weather, it is useful to set off early in the morning to be sure of returning or arriving at the destination before dark, sometimes having to make up for unexpected route variations or adverse weather conditions.