Trekking in the Silvretta and Rätikon Alps. Kev Reynolds
Чтение книги онлайн.
Читать онлайн книгу Trekking in the Silvretta and Rätikon Alps - Kev Reynolds страница 7
While the vast majority of trails adopted by treks in this guide are waymarked and clearly defined under normal summer conditions, in a very few places the route is not obvious and concentration will be called for. There are also several remote sections where an accident could have serious consequences. Mountains contain a variety of objective dangers, and it is the responsibility of all who tackle a multi-day route to be alert to such dangers and be prepared to cope with them and their consequences. The following list of dos and don’ts therefore contains common-sense suggestions to help avoid mishaps.
Safety dos and don’ts
Plan each day’s stage with attention to detail. Study the route outline, taking account of the amount of height gain and loss, and the estimated time needed to reach your destination. Don’t over-estimate the physical ability of you or your companions, but make a generous allowance for delays and interruptions, for bad weather and imperfect trail conditions.
Check the weather forecast with the hut keeper before setting out.
Write your details in the hut book before embarking on your day’s trek – this is important in case of accident.
Watch for signs of deteriorating weather, and do not be too proud to turn back should it be safer to do so than continue in the face of an oncoming storm, or on a trail that has become unjustifiably dangerous.
Do not venture onto exposed ridges if a storm is imminent. In the event of being caught out by a storm avoid isolated trees, prominent rocks or metallic objects (temporarily discard trekking poles), and refrain from taking shelter in caves, beneath overhanging rocks or in gullies. Instead kneel or squat on your rucksack with head down and hands on knees.
Know how to read your map and compass, and consult the map and guidebook frequently to anticipate any obstacles, change of direction or fork in the path. Do not stray from the marked way in foggy conditions.
Carry a first aid kit and a few emergency rations.
In the unhappy event of an accident stay calm. Move yourself and, if feasible, the injured person (being careful not to exacerbate the injury) away from any imminent danger of stonefall or avalanche, and apply first aid. Keep the patient warm, using any spare clothing available. Make a written note of exactly where the patient can be found, and either telephone for assistance (if you can get a signal for your mobile phone) or send for help while someone remains with the injured person – assuming, that is, you’re in a party of more than two. Should a mountain hut or farm be nearby, seek assistance there. If valley habitation is nearer, find a telephone and dial
112 (Europe-wide emergency number)
117 (Switzerland – police)
140 (Austria – mountain rescue)
Should it be impossible to go for help, the international distress signal (given at the front of this book) is six blasts on a whistle (and flashes with a torch after dark) spaced evenly for one minute, followed by a minute’s pause. Repeat for as long as necessary. The response is three signals per minute, followed by a minute’s pause.
Remember …
There is no free mountain rescue service in the Alps such as we have in the UK, and costs incurred by an emergency, including hospitalisation, are likely to be considerable. However, one of the benefits of membership of the Austrian Alpine Club (www.aacuk.org.uk – see Appendix C) is mountain rescue insurance in the event of an accident. At the time of writing (2013) the value of this is up to €25,000 per person.
Note, however, this does not provide a comprehensive travel or medical insurance and you are strongly advised to take out additional cover adequate to your needs. Read the small print of any policy with care, make a note of the assistance number to call in the event of a problem, and carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
It is advisable to leave a copy of your insurance details and travel and trek itinerary with a responsible person at home, and to carry with you photocopies of important documents – information pages of your passport, insurance certificate etc – as well as an emergency home contact address and telephone number.
Using this guide
Alpenrose in front of the Kirchlispitzen, as seen from Trek 2, Stage 4
The treks described in this book have all been walked over a number of visits to the region, during which time a few variations to the original routes became necessary when changing conditions made one or two stages unsafe. The ‘unchanging, eternal hills’ belong only to the poet’s imagination. Reality is different – the Alps are in a state of flux. So it’s quite possible that during the lifetime of this edition, more physical changes to the landscape will take place as a result of natural events such as rockfall or shrinking glaciers and snowfields. Should you discover any sections of a route in this guide have altered in any significant way I would welcome a note to that effect, sent to me by email or letter via the Cicerone office in Milnthorpe.
Routes have been described as accurately as possible, but anyone choosing to follow them will also need a map and compass and be prepared to adapt to conditions as found. This guidebook only reflects trail conditions as they existed during my most recent visit in the summer of 2013, and the sketch maps illustrating the route are provided as a planning aid and are not intended as an alternative to the topographical map or maps recommended above.
Route profiles have been devised to give a rough idea of the undulating nature of each route in a simplified form. They do not attempt to give an accurate representation of every up and down experienced along the way.
Each trek is broken into ‘stages’ of unequal length dependant on the existence of accommodation. On the Rätikon Höhenweg some of the huts are spaced little more than a morning’s walk apart, giving an opportunity for the fit trekker with limited time available to complete two stages in a single day. However, the majority of itineraries outlined in this guide remain inflexible and equate to a day’s travel.
At the beginning of each stage description, a summary of the route is given in terms of distance, approximate time needed to reach that day’s destination, height gain and/or loss, and the highest point reached. Heights and distances are given throughout in metres and kilometres, but please note that while heights quoted are usually taken from the recommended map, inconsistencies occur between sheets produced by different cartographers. Of necessity distances have been estimated by measuring the route on a map – by its very nature this will not provide an accurate reading, especially where there are numerous zigzags on the trail, but a rough idea should suffice since most trekkers measure their progress by the amount of time it takes to walk from point A to point B rather than by distance.
It is important to remember that times quoted are approximate only, and make no allowance for rest stops, picnics, or photographic interruptions, for which you should add 25 to 50 per cent to the day’s total.
It is inevitable that times quoted here will be considered fast by some trekkers, slow by others. By comparing your times with those quoted in the text, you should soon discover how much our pace differs and make the necessary adjustments to your day’s schedule. These treks have been devised to gain maximum enjoyment from wandering through a magnificent mountain environment, and the guidebook’s