Adventure sports showcase the most exhilarating way to enjoy our days off and leisure time. However, certain sports or locations require special considerations due to their unique characteristics.
Physical Preparation
To venture into the mountains without taking unnecessary risks, good physical condition is essential. If you've been inactive for a while, engage in preparatory exercises like running, swimming, or cycling. It's advisable to spend a day or two at a resort at the start of the season – this serves as training while allowing you to test and adjust new equipment.
Mastering the technique means descending snowy slopes is rarely problematic, but don't underestimate the ascent. This requires good cardio-respiratory fitness (improved through running or cycling) and specific muscle strength. Proper preparation ensures you don't exhaust yourself climbing, as excessive fatigue can compromise your technique and resources during descent.
Route Planning
Before setting off, thoroughly research your intended route. Consult a highly detailed map (mountaineers typically use 1:25,000 scale maps) and seek advice from local forestry officials and mountain guides. Speak to someone who's completed your planned route and check road conditions and local weather reports. Never venture into mountainous terrain unless you're confident handling all potential snow and ground conditions, and crucially, avoid routes or activities beyond your technical ability. The more information you gather, the safer your journey will be.
Navigation
Route-finding presents a key challenge in mountainous areas. In familiar territory with good weather, navigation is straightforward, but unfamiliar terrain or sudden storms complicate matters. Effective navigation using quality maps – checked frequently during your excursion – is vital.
Essential equipment includes a compass, altimeter, and GPS (providing positional coordinates). If you become lost despite proper equipment, stay calm. In daylight, attempt to locate your position using map and compass. At nightfall, establish an emergency camp and wait until morning to decide whether to summon help or continue independently.
Weather Conditions
During any mountain excursion, cold, sun, wind or snow can become serious hazards. Prevent cold-related injuries like hypothermia or frostbite by wearing proper gear – dry, insulated clothing plus mittens, hat, and balaclava for facial protection. When stopping, add layers and sit on insulation or your rucksack.
For extended stops, seek shelter from wind and snow. Hands and feet are most vulnerable to heat loss and frostbite. If fingers lose sensation, swing arms in wide circles to restore circulation. For feet, perform pendulum leg movements or stationary jogging.
Sun protection is crucial – always wear goggles and high-factor sunscreen (necessary even on cloudy days). Long trousers and sleeves provide essential skin protection, even in summer.
If caught in a storm, seek immediate shelter. With poor visibility, pitch your tent or find a cabin. On avalanche-prone slopes, move to safer ground. During electrical storms, descend to lower altitude, shelter in large caves or tree groves, and sit on your sleeping mat for insulation.
Altitude
Altitude sickness occurs due to reduced oxygen pressure at high elevations. Symptoms include dizziness, sleep disturbances, headache, nausea, and general weakness and fatigue. It typically begins above 2,500m – affecting most mountain areas – though brief exposure may only cause extra tiredness.
Prevention involves gradual ascent and sleeping below 3,000m. When above 3,000m, limit sleeping altitude increases to 300m per night. Gaining slight altitude before descending to sleep aids acclimatisation.
Emergency Procedures
After an accident, decide whether to summon help or evacuate the casualty. Consider your group's resources, location, and weather. Minor issues may be treatable with your first aid kit – which for extended trips should contain bandages, tape, cotton wool, antiseptic, antibiotics, painkillers, and scissors. If unequipped to treat injuries, radio for help, clearly stating your location and the patient's condition. Keep the casualty warm and immobilised until help arrives.
Avalanches
Avalanches pose extreme danger to mountaineers and skiers – thorough research is essential. Check weather and local avalanche reports, and consult locals. En route, watch for recent avalanche debris. Always verify your avalanche transceiver (ARVA) functions correctly before departure.
Most avalanches occur during or immediately after storms, as fresh snow is highly unstable. During snowfall, maintain heightened awareness, especially during heavy precipitation.
Continuously assess snowpack stability, identifying weak layers to plan your route accordingly. Unstable snow forms straight cracks under ski pressure. Look for avalanche signs like fallen trees or debris accumulation. In avalanche terrain, avoid slopes exceeding 30 degrees and never ascend open slopes directly. When crossing dangerous areas, proceed singly with constant visual contact between group members.
The golden rule of avalanche safety is avoidance. If a route appears unsafe, abandon it. Even when nearing your summit, turning back may prove the wisest decision.
