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Hiking an activity with risks attached

Contrary to strongly held beliefs, hiking constitutes one of the most accident prone of all pursuits carried out in the mountains.

In 1999, the National Service of Observation of Security in the mountains (SNOSM) recorded that more than 60% of the rescues that took place over the summer period concerned participants in this particular activity.

More seriously, among the 116 deaths in the mountains, 57 occurred during mountain hiking activities.

The second main cause of fatal accidents is the fall. Even though it is a well -known fact, hiking in the mountains is not without risk. a

To proceed on a steep path between rocky escarpments, to cross a "neve" in hard snow in the early hours, or to climb steep grassy hillsides, sometimes constitute major technical obstacles requiring real mountain experience, which can be similar in nature to true mountaineering. Many dramatic accidents can occur in these situations, where the technical difficulty is too testing for the unskilled. Besides these risks, rock slides can also happen in exposed sectors.

Overall, in these cases, it is essential to recall that hiking is a pursuit carried out in a high mountain environment with its attendant risks. To be prepared for these risks it is important to adopt the same rules recommended for high mountain activities and never to minimise the potential difficulties.

To be in the mountains requires a certain amount of physical and technical preparation, for instance, choice of route equivalent to the level of the group.

Above all, it is a question of thinking before acting, and here is some useful advice:

- Before departing, please, study your route well. Choose an itinerary adapted to your physical and technical level.

- Please, brief yourself on the meteorological conditions and the condition of the mountains involved.

- Please take with you the clothing and equipment suited to the chosen route.

- During the hike please be careful: do not hesitate to give up or avoid an obstacle.

- Please respect the environment and follow the safety rules of the group.- Please be on your guard always.

In conclusion, the first-aid workers of the PGHM (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne), too often identify accidents, which could have been avoided by better initial analysis of the situation. In every day life, accidents do not just happen, very often they are caused by the participants themselves and their lack of comprehension of the mountain environment they are in.

It is imperative to make full use of any information provided and to alert participants to the real risks involved in this activity.

Captain BLAISE AGRESTI, commanding the PGHM of Haute-Savoie - CHAMONIX October, 2001