The practice of the mountain requires knowledge, experience, preparation, evaluation skills and caution: do not forget that a humble and respectful approach is a prerequisite for success!
Before leaving, it is important to:
- Be informed about mountain conditions and on the basis of it choose the route
- Check weather reports
- Plan your route taking into account the length and the gradient of the path and adapt it to your physical condition and technical skills
- If you are unsure of your skills ask mountain professionals
- Train physically
- Have equipment in perfect conditions and suitable clothing
- Pack your backpack in a functional way and adapt it to the trip that you do, do not forget mobile phone with charged batteries, if possible GPS
- Tell someone (the manager of the refuge, your family, your friends) your destination, the route you chose and the estimated time of return
- Be ready to give up in case of doubt!
Rules of conduct:
During the excursion, consider the weather conditions change, estimate your position and check the distance covered on these bases, as well as on your physical condition and those of your companions.
Remember:
- there can be sudden atmospheric and climate changes in the mountains
- the temperature falls to 6/7 degrees per 1000 meters and strong winds at high altitude determine the "wind chill" effect, that is they make us feel colder than the air temperature really is
- the heat loss occurs mainly from the head, hands and feet, thus they require accurate protection
- hypothermia occurs rapidly and has effects throughout the body causing freezing with significant effects and increasing the psychological and physical degradation
- you can only fight fatigue with appropriate training: inadequate preparation, energy expenditure, dehydration, lack of acclimatization cause a rapid physical decline with consequences on the ability of evaluation and decision
- using less oxygen in the air at high altitude may cause acute mountain sickness characterized by headache, insomnia, fatigue, nausea and even psychophysical deterioration to severe complications: preventive acclimatization is essential as well as adequate nutrition and hydration. The only effective treatment is the rapid but cautious descent!