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Waldschatzfinder

Mountaineering

Mountain tours done safely

Height brings its own rules: the weather changes faster, the way down is as hard as the way up, and the turnaround time matters more than the summit.

Record a tour Hiking basics

Plan the tour

Read the elevation profileTotal metres of ascent matter more than kilometres. As a rough guide, many people manage around 300 to 400 metres of ascent per hour; plan for your own pace.
Set a turnaround timeDecide in advance the latest time you turn around, whatever the summit looks like. Most mountain accidents happen on the way down, when people are tired.
Plan with bufferAdd time for breaks, weather and the descent. Check the sunset and go down before dark.
Leave a planTell someone at home the route, the start and return time, and who to call if you are late.

What to carry

  • Layers: base, insulation and a windproof, waterproof shell
  • Gloves and a warm hat, even in summer on high ground
  • Headlamp with spare batteries
  • Water, extra food and an energy reserve
  • Map, compass and a charged phone with power bank
  • First-aid kit, emergency blanket, whistle
  • Sun protection: cap, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Sturdy boots with a good grip, tested on the trail

Weather and typical hazards

Thunderstorms

Leave ridges and summits early when storms build. If lightning is near, get off the ridge, stay away from single trees and metal, and crouch low. Use the 30-30 rule: if the time between flash and bang is under 30 seconds, go down; wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.

Cold and wind

Temperature drops about 0.6 °C per 100 metres of height, and wind makes it feel colder. Wet clothes cool you fast; change layers before you get cold.

Altitude

Altitude sickness can start from about 2,500 metres, even in fit people. Headache, nausea, dizziness and poor sleep are warning signs: stop climbing and do not go higher until they clear. Worsening symptoms mean descending.

Rockfall and slippery ground

Do not walk directly below others, and call “rock!” when you knock something loose. Wet rock and loose scree are much harder than they look.

Snow and glaciers

Glaciers and steep snow need training and the right equipment: crampons, an ice axe and rope, and knowledge of crevasse rescue. Without that, turn around and choose a snow-free route.

Behaviour on the mountain

  1. Follow the marked routeShortcuts cause erosion and can be dangerous on steep ground.
  2. Match the slowest in the groupRegroup at every saddle or junction, and count heads.
  3. Protected alpine plants stayEdelweiss and many other alpine plants are strictly protected. Look and photograph only.
  4. Carry out all rubbishHuts and summits are not bins. Orange peel and tissues go back down with you.
  5. Give way and keep quietLet descending walkers pass on narrow paths and give huts and wildlife space.

In an emergency

Call 112 (in Europe) or the mountain rescue number of the country. Tell them: exact location (GPS coordinates help), what happened, number of people, injuries and the weather. Stay with the injured person, keep warm and stay visible.

Note: the emergency number and the rescue organisation differ by country. Check them before you go, and save them in your phone.

Combine it

Record the tourElevation gain, time and the way back, with terrain heights on request. Hiking basicsPlanning, gear and etiquette for every tour. Wild plantsLook and photograph. Many alpine plants are protected, so leave them where they grow.