SALVAMONT - Tips

Tips for mountain hiking

• Choose the routes according to your experience and training;
• Do not go hiking if you are tired or do not have a doctor's opinion in case you suffer from certain diseases or are convalescing;
• Before leaving for the trip, find out about the proposed itinerary, the degree of difficulty of the route, the condition of the markings, accessibility, dangerous sections, the weather and the operating schedule of the cable transport means;
• Inform mountain rescuers, cabin keepers, foresters, shepherds about the condition of the route (paths, footpaths, markings), refuges and mountain rescue points;
• Find out about the weather forecast for the next 24 hours, avoid traveling in bad weather;
• Calculate the time needed to complete the route according to your preparation;
• Set out on the mountain with proper gear and a map of the area. Don't forget to pack your flashlight, compass, map, cell phone, and first aid kit in your backpack.
• Do not load the backpack beyond reasonable limits;
• Avoid going on the road alone, preferably in a group of at least three people, one of whom knows the area;
• Inform the lodger about the route you want to follow and register in the tourist traffic register;
• Choose the routes according to the physical and mental preparation of the weakest in the group;
• Use only marked routes, do not deviate from the route, avoid shortcuts Follow and respect the markings and signs on the route;
• The step of the tried tourist is regular and rare, hurried walking leads to premature exhaustion of forces;
• At the start, walk at a slower pace, gradually reaching normal walking speed;
• When climbing, step on the entire sole, with the knees slightly bent; when going down, also step on the whole sole, but with the knees more pushed forward and the bust bent;
• The length of the step should be proportional to the waist and related to the inclination of the slope;
• Breathing should be quiet, adapted to the speed of travel, and the pace of walking should be variable depending on the slope of the terrain;
• On grassy slopes, slightly inclined (25 degrees), and very inclined slopes (over 40 degrees), the ascent is done directly, between these inclinations, the ascent is made in serpentines;
• On grohotisches, the ascent is done on large boulders, and on the descent only on the small grohotisches. The marching order will be in column, one at a time;
• The less initiated will be placed in the column immediately after the leader of the group; after the first 20 minutes of walking there will be a break; the first longer break (20-30 minutes) will be taken after 2 hours of walking;
• While walking it is recommended to speak as little as possible and in no case loudly;
• When you're on mountain paths, don't forget to take into account some basic rules regarding walking, breathing, and nutrition;
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages before and during the trip; they weaken the body, reduce the ability to exercise and in winter promote frostbite;
• It is good to drink water only at the end of the breaks, before starting again;
• Avoid smoking during the trip;
• Pay close attention to food on the mountain, especially in winter: fatty and sugary substances, lemonades, hot and well-sweetened drinks are recommended. During longer breaks you can eat sweets (sugar, glucose, honey, etc.);
• In the event of difficulties on the route or worsening of the weather, retreat to the nearest cabin;
• In case of storm or rain with electric discharges leave the summit; do not shelter near isolated, tall trees or near rocks; don't run;
• In case of fog, heavy rain, blizzard urgently look for shelter, those who go on research do not do it at a greater distance than the distance at which the human voice is heard or the light of the flashlight is seen; by no means leave behind the weary;
• In winter, in bad weather (blizzard, fog, frost), you will move in a compact group, if the area is not at risk of avalanches;
• Avoid shouting and any other noises in places where avalanches can occur; when crossing the slopes favorable to avalanches, the passage is made at a distance of a few meters from each other and they step exactly in the wake left by the head of the column, advancing in Indian line; you must not, for any reason, fall behind the group;
• Do not make fire in the forest and alpine pastures. Do not throw away matches or lit cigarettes;
• Protect flora, fauna, caves, natural monuments, waters;
• Don't pollute nature;
• When leaving a rest stop, leave a clean trail behind you;
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages before and during hiking;
• Do not damage tourist facilities, markings and signs;
• Respect natural monuments and protected areas;
• Do not throw waste in the mountain area;
• Respect the rules of behavior in the cabin and the necessary rest time;
• In the event of an accident, react promptly and effectively to protect and secure the injured. Notify the rescue service specifying the following: what happened, how many people need help, when the accident occurred, where the injured persons are located;
• In case of wandering, keep the unity of the group. Stay awake and aware. Move around to prevent hypothermia. Do not drink alcohol. Notify the lifeguard;
• Call with confidence on authorized mountain guides and mountain rescue members.
• Respond to requests from lodgers, other tourist groups or mountain rescue teams to help people in distress;
• Don't forget to inform yourself ahead of time about useful telephone numbers, the local rescue service, the Salvamont National Dispatch (0salvamont – 0725826688), etc. Periodically look at the cell phone screen to track the presence or absence of signal and remember where you last had signal.