Long-distance in Tirol

Emergency app Tirolean Mountain Rescue Service There is a lot to learn about mountain and that takes time!

Just like skiing, initial climbing experiences should be made in flatter terrain. First steps should be taken on hiking trails.

Hiking trail: easy, wide, in valley areas and adjacent forests For: beginners and walkers Requirements: sports shoes and weather appropriate clothing

Only after establishing adequate fitness levels, blackrated mountain trail, and this too takes For: those with a good head for heights, should you go one-step further and attempt time. The same applies here: practise makes surefooted and experienced alpine climbers red-rated mountain trails. You should bear perfect. Requirements: excellent physical condition, in mind that physical fitness, sureness of foot comprehensive alpine experience, alpine and a good head for heights is not something Difficult mountain trail: mostly narrow, climbing gear, safety and orienteering aids, that can be achieved from one day to the next, steep, very exposed, long sections secured good weather conditions but is developed with time and practise along with rope or cable, climbing passages. various mountain trails. For: those with a good head for heights, Take your time and make sure you come home surefooted and experienced alpine climbers safe and sound. Moderately difficult mountain trail: often Requirements: very good physical condition, narrow, steep, exposed in places, you may need alpine experience and mountain equipment, Source: Österreichischer Alpenverein to use your hands to help balance in some including alpine safety gear, good weather sections. conditions. This terrain is not suitable for For: surefooted and experienced hikers everyone. Requirements: good physical condition, alpine experience and mountain equipment : Exposed, unmarked trails There is also a lot to learn about hiking a and unsecured terrain, or on glaciers

· www.tyrol.com · Long-distance Hiking in Tirol 2 Keep in mind

Emergency numbers Planning a hike Tips and information ««140: Mountain rescue service – Alpine • Is the route/section appropriate to my • Continuously check your position emergency skills? Groups should always base their • When planning a hike, take into account ««112: European emergency number planning on the abilities of the weakest that your body cannot achieve top per- (works with any mobile phone & all available member. formance every day. Increase the strain networks) • Allow for possibilities to leave the route or slowly rather than starting off with the abort the hike hardest stage. No coverage? • Check the weather forecast for the • Bring along flip-flops or other comfortable If there is no reception and in dead spots, no following days shoes. After a day’s hiking releasing your emergency calls can be made. → Go to an area • Check where you can stock up with food feet from the hiking shoes is a real treat, and with better reception and dial 112 regularly. when planning a tour. This will prevent you sometimes hiking shoes are a no-no in the Euro emergency: Access to all available net- from dragging around the food for several sleeping areas of mountain huts. works if 112 is dialled after switching on the days. • Plan exit strategies: Which place allows you phone instead of entering the PIN or by to abort the tour as quickly as possible? using the SOS emergency function. • Weather: Ask the proprietors of the huts Equipment for advice. They are familiar with the local Reporting an accident • Breathable outdoor clothing which is also conditions and know the forecast. It is better • Who is reporting / call-back number? suitable for the weather conditions of the to stop a hike early than to get caught in a • What is the exact location of the accident? following days sudden thunderstorm in high Alpine • What has happened? • Plan enough food for all days (check terrain. • How many people are injured? availability at mountain huts) • Be aware of Alpine dangers. • First-aid kit • Equipment: bivouac sack, telescopic Emergency app Tirolean Mountain • Mobile phone with fully charged battery umbrella, hiking sticks, bonnet and gloves Rescue Service and charger Smart phone users can install the new emer- • Hiking map and guide gency app provided by the Tirolean Mountain • Sun protection (sun cream and glasses, hat) First aid Rescue Service. It helps making an emergency • Overnight kit, sleeping bag liner etc. • First-aid kit call and transmits one’s location. • Rain protection • Mobile phone with fully charged battery • Cash and charger

· www.tyrol.com · Long-distance Hiking in Tirol 3 Packing Checklist for multi-day hikes

Top pocket

Hiking map Blister plasters Fully charged mobile phone and charger (emergency phone numbers: mountain rescue 140, European emergency service 112) Pocket knife Cash Alpine club membership card

Front

Small snack (e.g. musli bar, etc.) Drink bottle Sun protection (sun cream, sunglasses, cap, etc.)

Bottom

Centre/back Bivouac sack Gloves and warm hat Functional shirt Headlamp Rain jacket Toilettenartikel Fleece jacket Waterproof bag for valuables Optional (depending on weather): Underwear waterproof trousers and small Sleeping bag liner umbrella Towel First aid kit Hiking socks Warm jacket

· www.tyrol.com · Long-distance Hiking in Tirol 4 General recommendations from the Alpine associations

1. Getting fit in the mountains 4. Appropriate footwear concentration and energy levels. Energy Hiking is an endurance sport. It makes the Good hiking boots protect and provide relief drinks are ideal for quenching your thirst. heart and circulation work, which requires to your feet and improve your footing. When Cereal bars, dried fruit and biscuits will satisfy you to be healthy and to realistically assess choosing a pair of shoes, make sure that they fit your hunger while walking. your fitness. Try not to rush and walk at a perfectly, have non-slip soles, are waterproof, tempo where nobody in the group gets out and that they are light. 8. Responsibility for children of breath. Discovering the landscape in a fun and 5. Sure footing is key varied way is very important for children. 2. Careful planning Falls as a result of slipping or tripping are the In passages where there is a risk of falling, Hiking maps, guide books, the internet and most common cause of accidents. Make sure an adult can only look after one child. Very experts can inform you about the length, that you do not lose your footing or concen- difficult hikes, which require long periods of height differ-ence, difficulty and current tration because you are going too fast or are concentration, are not suitable for children. conditions of a hike. You should always tired. Also watch out for falling rocks: by choose which hiking trails you will take walking carefully you avoid loosening rocks. 9. Small groups according to the skills of the group. Pay Small groups are more flexible and allow particular attention to the weather forecast 6. Stay on marked paths members to help each other. Tell everyone in because wind, rain and cold increase the risk In areas without any signs there is an increas- your group your end destination, route, and re- of an accident. ed risk that hikers will lose their way, will fall turn route. Stay together in your group. Atten- or that rocks will fall. Avoid short cuts and tion to those hiking alone: even minor incidents 3. Complete equipment go back to the last point you recognise if you can require serious emergency assistance. Make sure you have the right equipment for stray from the path. Steep old snow fields are the hike you are taking and that your ruck- often underestimated and very dangerous as 10. Respect for nature and the environment sack is not too heavy. Protection from the rain, one can easily slip. To protect the natural mountain areas, do not cold and sun should always be packed in your leave rubbish behind, stay on the paths, do not rucksack, as should a first-aid kit and a mobile 7. Regular breaks disturb wild animals or livestock, do not touch phone (European emergency number 112). Regular rest helps hikers to recover, enjoy the plants, and respect protected areas. Take Maps and GPS will help you find your way. the landscape, and makes the hike more socia- public transport or use carpooling to get to ble. You need to eat and drink to sustain your your destination. © Club Arc Alpin, 2012

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