above sea level, and abbreviated as ‘m’. In the Alps overall metres ascended and descended in a given day is of much greater significance than distance as it indicates how strenuous the route is. On moderately steep terrain it takes 1hr on average to ascend 300m (approx 1000ft) or descend 500m.
Distance is given in both kilometres and miles, intended only as a rough indicator of the length of each stage.
Difficulty on a scale of 1–3 is given to grade the stages of the trek:
Grade 1: a straightforward footpath with a moderate slope, suitable for all walkers.
Grade 2: fairly strenuous but not especially difficult.
Grade 3: requires experience on mountain terrain, can entail exposed stretches and require a head for heights, if not difficulty with orientation.
In general the GTA rates mostly as Grade 2, the odd difficult part Grade 3, and the even rarer easy sections Grade 1.
Dos and Don’ts
‘When one starts early one hurries to gain all possible benefit from the shade, but a late start renders such haste futile; so we dawdled from the start’ enigmatic advice from W.M. Conway (1895)!
Do start out as early as possible in the morning to allow for any necessary route detours due to landslips, flooded streams, damaged bridges and the like, not to mention getting lost, fatigue and so forth. Early starters also increase their chances of seeing wildlife, and decrease the likelihood of being caught out in storms which tend to come in the hottest part of the day, not to mention the disorienting fog which rolls in late morning.
Do find time to get fit before embarking on the trek as it will maximise your enjoyment. It’s a pity if exhaustion interferes with appreciation of the wonderful scenery, and in any emergency healthy walkers will react better.
Stick with your companions and never lose sight of them. Remember that a group’s rate is set by the slowest member.
Don’t be overly ambitious; tackle stages suited to your capacity. Read the route description carefully before setting out.
Don’t overload your rucksack. Weigh your pack on the bathroom scales (10kg absolute maximum). Don’t forget the extra weight of drinking water and food, and remember that as the afternoon wears on and the hut seems ever further away, your pack will inexplicably get heavier! Once you’ve packed the essentials, don’t be tempted to pop in anything that is not strictly indispensable. Your state of exhaustion in the evenings will almost definitely preclude reading – and therefore carrying – that paperback! Take lightweight gear, and transfer shampoo and so on to small plastic containers.
Avoid walking in brand-new boots to reduce the chance of blisters; on the other hand, old worn boots may have insufficient grip and be unsafe on slippery terrain. Select your footwear carefully.
Do check the weather forecast where possible – hut guardians are in the know. For Piedmont log onto www.regione.piemonte.it (click on ‘meteo’), otherwise 0171 66323 or 011 3185555. Be prepared to take a rest day or modify your itinerary if the conditions so dictate. Adverse conditions such as thick mist, icy rain or snow can transform even an easy Grade 1 path into a problem-fraught route. Should you be caught out in a storm, keep warm but stay away from metallic fixtures, dispose of your trekking poles for the time being, and avoid rock overhangs or prominent trees for shelter as they tend to attract lightning. Lying flat on the ground or curling up in a ball is usually recommended.
Do sign the register at the refuges and include your next day’s destination; the information could be essential in case of a rescue operation.
Don’t expect refuge staff to expend energy and resources on waste; take any rubbish to villages and towns where it can be disposed of appropriately.
Be considerate when making a toilet stop. Keep away from watercourses, don’t leave unsightly paper lying around and remember that derelict buildings and rock overhangs could serve as a life-saving shelter for someone else.
Emergencies
‘Help’ is aiuto (pronounced eye-yoo-toh) and Ho bisogno di aiuto means ‘I need help’. Experienced staff at refuges can be relied on for help whenever necessary.
It is essential for all walkers to have some sort of insurance. Members of the European Union – with the addition of Australia – need the E111 form (usually available at post offices, although this system is due to change at the end of 2005); this ensures health cover and hospital care. All other nationals need separate insurance. It’s also a good idea for everyone to take out an additional policy for mountain activities and rescue operations, as these can be costly. Members of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and the many affiliated groups with reciprocity agreements are automatically insured in case of accident. Residents of Britain can join the UK branch of the Austrian Alpine Club www.aacuk.uk.com
Getting assistance
A mobile phone can be extremely useful for alerting emergency services. Reception is not guaranteed in many alpine regions, though high passes tend to have a better signal than deep valleys. An old-fashioned whistle (or torch after dark) may be the best option. Use the internationally recognised signals: the call for help is SIX visual or audible signals per minute, to be repeated after a minute’s pause. The answer is THREE visual or audible signals per minute, to be repeated after a minute’s pause. Anyone hearing a call for help must contact the nearest refuge or police station as soon as possible.
When communicating with the rescue service, be prepared to provide the following information: your name, where you are, the nature of the accident, how many people need help and what type of injuries, exact location – altitude, landmarks, atmospheric conditions, any obstacles for the helicopter (eg overhead cables).
Waymarking and Maps
A good part of the GTA route is signed with official red/white waymarking – usually painted stripes on rocks or prominent landmarks, if not signposts. However, lengthy stretches are not, and local numbering is sporadically referred to, where present. It varies wildly.
Village fountains are common
Note At the time of writing a new waymarking campaign was being launched in the Province of Cuneo, accounting for the substantial
