What I need to know
The experience of the mountain, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, cycling, canyoning, skiing, any activity, even a small walk in nature, deserve everyone to live it even once in its life.
To spend well in nature, together with the people with whom we share, to overcome ourselves by managing to do what we could not even imagine, to feel the often unknown strangers so close to us yesterday to become simpler, more calm and stronger, is something that everyone is entitled to. This beautiful experience, in order not to revert to unpleasant, should have a proper assessment of our capabilities and the right equipment, always depending on the activity in which we want to participate. Those who have some relevant experience, understand about their capabilities as well as the importance of equipment. But what about those who have no experience? Is there love for the mountain and for activities in nature, is the determination and the will, which are our basic motivations, to live in the right way the experience we seek?
By reading the ascension program we always look at the degree of difficulty. In the program there is also a table explaining what each grade means. If we have never walked on the mountain, we start from the uphill with difficulty 1 or 2, reading carefully the driving times. Avoid starting with walking in the snow, it is good to try first in a mountain without snow. Because, due to weather conditions and not only, the degree of difficulty can change, we always get information about the route from the route coordinator when we declare our participation. But the coordinator can not know our physical condition, so we owe ourselves to be aware of our potential, our health, possible fears, etc. It goes without saying that there is no ascending without hillside and descent without downhill. So having information about altitude differences and driving times, we appreciate the route we can take part in.
When we have chosen the ascent that is on our feet, the chances of having an unpleasant experience, both us and our fellow travelers, are reduced or almost neglected, as long as we have the right equipment and follow these simple tips.
In the mountain we do not wear athletic shoes, but booties that cover our ankles. It may seem exaggerated and sure, it is not impossible to make a course with sports shoes. But if our foot turns and we get a sprain, something that can happen to each one of us, then we understand that it would have been much harder if we were wearing booties. We certainly will not blame anyone, but the consequences will be suffered by the whole group, and the pain we are suffering. Booties must clearly be waterproof and preferably from a mountaineering shop, where the seller will discuss with us the details so that he can help us choose the right ones. They slip less, keep our foot better, are anti-shock.
We buy mountaineering boots in our number, that is, not bigger, so to slip the leg in or small, so we will regret it quickly
We wear synthetic or woolen socks and we avoid cotton, not forgetting that nails do not help on the downhill. If we want to avoid pain and our purpose is not to move in black nails, we make sure to cut them, and not at the last minute.
Our trousers should be comfortable, do not block the movement and dry easily if wet. If it is cold, it is very useful to wear a isothermal leggings. For rain, it is good to have waterproof trousers.
We make sure that our outfit is like an onion, that is, we can put or remove clothes according to the temperature. We avoid cotton because they dry very hard. If we do not have an isothermal t-shirt, which is the best solution to keep our body at the right temperature and not to get wet, we prefer synthetic clothes. We also wear fleece, which, depending on season and temperatures, can be from very thin to very heavy.
We certainly have a waterproof and windproof jacket with us. We never forget it, not even in the summer.
If there is the slightest chance of walking in the snow, we have the ghettos that will protect us from getting snow on our shoes and help keep our feet dry. The gloves and the cap protect us from the loss of temperature, which is greater than the ends and the head, and we always have them with us. We do not expect to freeze to wear them.
The backpack is an important part of our equipment. It is not very important for small day trips where we have little to do with it but for longer trips and for more weight it is very important to have a backpack with the belt in the middle. We choose the size of the backpack, measured in liters, depending on the activity we want to do and we discuss it with our more experienced acquaintances as well as with the seller. We never buy a backpack without trying it on our back so we can see that it is the right number for us. Its weight must fall into the bowl, ie the belt of the backpack should be seated at the right spot. The weight should not burden the waist and shoulders. Many backpacks have a built-in cover that protects the backpack from being poured separately. If you do not have one or the other, even a garbage bag helps. In any case, it is good to put things in the backpack in such bags.
Baton is a very useful part of our equipment. Clearly we can walk without them. But they help us not only in balance and movement, especially on the downhill but, most importantly, they protect our knees. They are useful for those who have no problem with their knees, but they are essential to those who already have such a problem. We do not forget after every course of cleaning our bahton, especially if we have used them in snow, otherwise they are in danger of being blocked soon.
Also, we never forget sun glasses, sunscreen and hat (when we do not wear a cap), as well as a change of clothes, socks and a pair of shoes we leave in the car. If we know all of this and we want to participate in both long and / or winter ascents, we will clearly need extra equipment.
Coordinator. It does not belong to the “equipment” category, but its role is very important. The coordinator is a person with great experience in the mountain, capable of judging in difficult conditions, and to decide accordingly, always in the interest of the team. It is he who takes care to go up and come back with maximum security. Sometimes we may disagree with the coordinator either because we have relevant experience and we would decide differently either from ignorance and inexperience. We must remember that our participation in the activity also means accepting the role of the coordinator, who is the only one he finally decides. He needs our cooperation, so we do not run in front of him, and we never leave the team without informing the leader or the so-called “broom”, another important person who makes sure we all get to our destination. Whether we get first or last, there are neither medals nor punishments. That is why we follow the pace of the team as much as we can and try to enjoy the route.
If you have any questions, come and talk, every Thursday, 8 to 10 in the evening.
Good ascents!
