High mountain weather hazards
Before going to the high mountains, it is important to Know the potential dangers For better preparation. The dangers in the high mountains are mainly related to the weather. Among the items that can endanger the life and health of lovers of high mountain sports, we find:
- low temperatures,
- danger of fog and avalanches,
- Deposits
- Strong wind,
- Thunderstorms, etc.
So the weather is a critical factor for high mountain sports. Before going there, you should first consult the weather forecast for the climate. If the weather conditions are unfavorable, the best is to cancel your stay. Guides, climbers, or shelter rangers usually have reliable weather information. This is why we can trust their advice. In addition to expectations, it is important to be aware of Previous days Weather conditions mountain walk. This helps wetlands to be better identified and prepared.
How to effectively protect yourself from the cold in the mountains?
In order to protect yourself from the cold in the high mountains, you must wear appropriate clothes.
Wear warm jackets in the high mountains
To protect yourself from the cold in the high mountains, the best solution is to wear mountaineering jackets. The latter is designed with materials that provide good thermal insulation. Low temperatures are no longer an obstacle for high mountain sports enthusiasts thanks to the mountaineering jackets that can be found in tech clothing stores. There are jackets made of natural goose down or duck down.
Although these accessories are effective in protecting against the cold, they are less durable. It can lose up to 40% of its insulating ability when wet. Jackets are the most durable synthetic bottom models. These provide a warm, windy feel and are very breathable. Synthetic mountaineering jackets are lightweight and compressible.
These warm jackets can easily be stored in a bag. The mountaineering jacket can be worn as a mid-season jacket or as a second layer. Besides jackets, waterproof jackets are important to protect against inclement weather. Synthetic down jackets are suitable for mountaineering, hiking, skiing, etc. Usually equipped with zipped hand pockets Interior pockets for storing personal items. To choose such clothes, it is necessary to ensure that they have been tested and approved for high mountains.
High Mountain – Source: spm
Other useful accessories to protect yourself from the cold
It is also important to cover the lower and extremities of the body well for better protection from the cold. To protect the lower body, a two-layer system is effective. with one thermal underwear And insulating pants, the lower body is well protected. To protect the head and neck, you can wear a hat and neck warmers. For lovers of skiing in winter, it is optimal to provide a helmet and a ski mask to cover the face well.
Gloves allow you to keep warm while being free to use your hands. Trekking or mountaineering shoes are important equipment to tackle the cold in the high mountains. These shoes should be breathable to prevent sweating. To enhance the protection of the feet, it is important to wear them good quality socks. Woolen socks are suitable for hiking in the high mountains.
Tips for staying warm during a mountain stay
After a long day of hiking, a mountaineer or hiker deserves a good night’s rest. For this night to be fun, it is important to stay warm. For this purpose, a suitable sleeping bag should be provided. In addition to being highly insulating, The sleeping bag should be of medium size. Small sleeping bags do not provide good thermal insulation, while large ones often have cold spots inside. To stay warm during a temporary stay in the mountains, you should avoid lying on the cold ground. For example, you can lie on a small folding mattress or place twigs or ferns under your shelter to avoid contact with the ground.
The paper bag It is an important accessory for heating during a temporary stay in the mountains. Silk fabrics are perfect for gaining a few extra shades inside a sleeping bag. During a bivouac night, a hat, gloves, and socks are always necessary to stay warm. Before going to bed, some people exercise in order to warm up.
However, it is important to be careful when dealing with sweat. Sweat salts absorb moisture. In this case, even if it was well equipped, one could be very cold. Before going to bed, it is better to increase the body temperature without sweating. Another tip for staying warm during a temporary stay is Reducing air exchange Between inside and outside the sleeping bag. For safety, you must provide a lamp and an external battery to charge your phone.
What do you eat and drink in the high mountains?
In high mountains, good nutrition is just as important as cold protection equipment. To stay warm, a mountaineer or hiker must have Rich and balanced diet. For example, you can choose:
- cereal bars,
- jam slices,
- macaroni,
- Hard-boiled eggs,
- fish,
- cheese, etc.
Soup and instant bread They are also good foods to eat in the mountains. Raw vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and cabbage will be very useful in making gourmet sandwiches and salads. To provide the body with vitamins, fruits such as hazelnuts, olives, oranges and carrots are ideal. As far as drinking is concerned, you should always have a good amount of water when you are in the high mountains. To get good hydration, a mountaineer should drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. It is important to drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty. For a change of drinks, you can keep some tea bags to drink warm.
What do you do if you get lost in the mountains to protect yourself from the cold?
When hiking in the high mountains, it is possible to get lost or stumbled. In this case, do not panic. The first option to solve this kind of situation isCall 911 And wait for them patiently. To prevent the phone from draining, all the apps on the device should be closed. Among the equipment necessary for sports in the high mountains, the whistle is considered one of the most important. This accessory enables a distress signal to be triggered and identified quickly. You can also make a fire that you will have to feed with green leaves to produce more smoke. These will attract the attention of emergency services.
When you get lost in the mountains, you can find the way on your own. To achieve this, we can try to trace our steps. With area map, compass and GPS, you can easily find your way. The Navigation tools So it is very important for high mountain sports. If a mountaineer or climber does not have one, they can follow a river or stream. Waterways generally cross inhabited areas.
