take several hours to reach a place where first aid is available. A basic kit should contain a selection of plasters, antiseptic cream and a triangular bandage. Buy one that includes some instructions on what to do in common cases needing treatment. Optional extras may include a blister kit, something for insect bites, tick remover, insect repellent and sun-protection cream. Depending on your susceptibilities, you may also need sunglasses, skin cream and lip salve.
Your kit should also include an advice sheet. Although expert attention should always be obtained as quickly as possible if necessary, or you may have a qualified first aider in your party, some immediate guidance may be very welcome
Map and compass While waymarking on most routes in the High Tatras is very good, when tired or in poor visibility you may become disorientated, or take a wrong turning, and then a map and compass will be of enormous help in deciding which way to go, or how to regain your intended route. You may prefer to use a GPS unit, but as the battery may run out or there may be no signal, you should carry a map as back-up.
Mobile phone More for summoning help in emergency than for chatting with family or friends from the mountain tops, which may be very expensive. Note that some parts of the Tatras do not currently receive a signal.
Whistle For attracting attention in emergency. If you cannot easily reach help, attract attention to your plight by giving the international distress call – six long blasts, repeated every minute. An answering series of three blasts means that your signal has been noticed, and help is on the way. A torch can perform the same function in the dark, using flashes instead of whistle blasts.
Emergency food If you should suffer an accident, or become lost and dispirited, it will boost both your morale and physical strength to dig out that bar of chocolate, or packet of peanuts or raisins, when the nearest refreshment facilities may be several hours away.
Weather forecast Each day, before you set out, get the weather forecast from your hotel reception, an information office or the mountain rescue service, and plan a route that takes the weather into account.
Remember the wind chill factor. The higher the wind speed, the more it cools the temperature, so that you may not only have to battle against the wind, but also wear more clothes to guard against the cold. The more effort you have to put into your walking, the greater the cooling effect. The actual fall in the temperature experienced varies, depending on the wind speed and the amount of effort being expended, but while walking at a steady pace it is approximately in the region of 1–3°C (2–6°F) for every kilometre per hour of wind speed. You are likely to notice the wind speed more as you climb, especially where there is no protection from trees.
Remember the altitude factor (also called the lapse rate). On top of the wind chill effect, the temperature drops as you climb, by about 1°C (2°F) for every 150m.
Thunderstorms When a thunderstorm threatens, do not go higher but descend straight away, especially if you are on or near a summit or ridge, as lightning tends to strike in such places. Do not take shelter under a tree or prominent rock, as these are also favourite targets of lightning. Get down into a valley, or find a chalet or refuge where you can sit out the storm.
Falling stones or rocks Take care, especially when walking or scrambling on a steep slope with loose rocks, that you do not dislodge one, and watch out for those dislodged by walkers higher up the slope. If you should set loose a rock that threatens to roll some way downhill, yell out a warning. In English one would shout ‘below!’ or ‘look out!’, but better in the Tatras is pozor! in Slovakia, or uwaga! (pronounced ‘oovahga’) in Polish. Or you could try the German Achtung!
Slippery rocks and paths In wet weather some kinds of moss- or lichen-bearing rock, and wooden rain channels or bridges, become slippery, and paths can turn into torrents. Some walkers find one or two walking sticks or poles helpful on steep or rough ground, although they should be stowed in your rucksack when scrambling or using chains and other fixtures.
Leave word of your proposed route Do this with someone, such as the hotel reception, who will realise if you fail to return that something may have happened, and will know where the mountain rescue will need to look. Some hotels keep a walks book for this purpose. Obviously you should then stick to your proposed route, and report in when you return.
Know your limits If the weather should deteriorate, or you are finding the going too hard, do not be ashamed to turn back.
Walk in company Try to avoid walking alone on the more remote and less popular routes. If you should fall and twist your ankle, the sooner you get help the better, and an uninjured companion will be able to reach it much more quickly. Ideally there should be at least three in your party, so that one can go for help while the other stays with the injured person. If you should suffer an accident when on your own, other walkers are usually very willing to help, as no doubt you would help them if necessary.
Descending the chains from Giewont summit (Blue 206, Poland)
Help! If an accident should happen, for which help is needed, keep calm. Use your mobile phone to summon help. If you do not have one, or there is no signal, in most parts of the High Tatras there is usually a mountain chalet or refuge nearby, which is linked by telephone or radio to the mountain rescue service. Places with mountain rescue facilities are marked on maps of the Tatras with a blue cross. If you are closer to a village, find a telephone kiosk, hotel or shop. Contact the mountain rescue service directly by dialling 18300 in Slovakia or +48 601 100 300 in Poland – add these numbers to your mobile phone contacts. Alternatively, you can dial the international emergency number 112, but it may take longer to get through to the mountain rescue service.
In Slovakia there is a charge if you have to bring out the mountain rescue service. If your travel insurance does not cover this, you may wish to take out a policy that can be bought at local tourist information offices. There is currently no charge in Poland, unless due to wilful negligence on your part, such as ignoring professional advice, in which case you will be expected to pay the full cost, or at least make a donation.
Mountain walking insurance is available through the Austrian Alpine Club, the BMC and also through other bodies or as part of commercial policies.
Winter walking
In the Slovak Tatras the higher routes are closed in winter and spring (generally 1 November to 15 June), because of the dangers from snow and ice on steep slopes, and from avalanches, and to protect wildlife, which may be hibernating or rearing their young.
On the Polish side there is no formal ban on walking in the higher regions, but some routes are inaccessible in practice. You are expected to use your common sense and take notice of avalanche warnings.
The path descriptions for each country include an indication as to whether each is open or closed in winter and spring. In Slovakia, most walking maps also include a symbol to indicate that certain routes are closed in winter.
Substantial snowfalls may occur from November onwards, more unusually in September or October, and the lakes start to freeze over. The average winter temperature in the High Tatras resorts is around minus 5–6°C (22–24°F). However, most of the lower routes, up to the mountain chalets or refuges, remain open and well used – as do the chalets and refuges themselves for welcome refreshment. Provided that you are well prepared, walking through the snow in winter can be a delightful experience. You will probably find that others have gone before you, treading out a path in the snow. Most of the chalets and refuges are open all year round, so there will be ample opportunity for a hot drink or meal.
You should wear and carry everything that you would in summer, with
