"Easy" mountain routes can be more dangerous than difficult ones. What you need to know

Two groups of people disappeared in the area of Oslyanki Mountain, popular with tourists in the Perm Region, on December 13 and 15, one of them was searched for almost two days, but as a result, all the missing were found alive. Despite the fact that the height of the peak is only 1119 m above sea level, some of its slopes are avalanche-prone, and frequent fogs and changeable weather conditions pose an additional risk to travelers. The danger of easy mountain routes and why they are the source of the saddest statistics can be found in the Izvestia article.

Underestimating the route

• If you look at the mortality statistics in the mountains, the most dangerous are not the high and difficult peaks, but at first glance quite simple and accessible routes, which are often chosen by beginners. For example, in the ranking of deadly peaks according to Gear Junkie, Mount Washington in New Hampshire in the USA is in eighth place, which can be reached by funicular. At an altitude of 1916 m. It is a popular destination, and not all tourists take into account that the strongest winds in the world blow on this mountain, and the temperature at the top can drop to -46°C.

• Even if the route technically seems easy to traverse, it is necessary to take into account the terrain. If there are glacial lakes at the top, then after intense heat, heavy rains or snowfall, there is a risk of mudslides — streams consisting of water and rocks. Only knowledge of the terrain will help protect you from them: an experienced instructor will tell you how to avoid the mudflow zone when climbing and setting up a camp.

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13 men from the Sverdlovsk region did not return to the base on December 13

• Mountain rivers must be traversed before dawn, while their flow is relatively calm. As the sun rises and the snow and ice melt at the top, the flow accelerates and the chances of crossing the river safely and quickly will be much less. An additional risk is represented by rock fragments, which can be carried by water.

• The risk of rockfalls is indicated by a collapsed mountainside. The cause of the collapse may be not only an earthquake, but also water frozen in cracks, which, expanding, tears apart rocks. You can only travel on such slopes in a helmet.

• Avalanches are another danger of mountain routes. They can descend at any time of the year: the most dangerous slopes can be identified by the trail left by an avalanche. An experienced instructor can use these signs to identify a dangerous area and adjust the route.

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Weather conditions

• Information about weather conditions will be an important step in preparing for the hike. It is necessary to study the forecast not only for the days of the ascent, but also for several days before and after the expected end of the route. A sudden change in the weather may be preceded by a squally wind, which is especially noticeable closer to the top and carries the risk of hypothermia.

• Prolonged precipitation increases the water level in rivers or provokes rockfalls and mudflows, and in hot weather there is a risk of landscape fires. Underestimating the weather conditions can be deadly, even if the route is simple. For example, Elbrus is called an easy-to-climb mountain: all accidents on it occur due to weather changes and underestimation of risks by tourist groups.

• Camping equipment needs to be selected based on this information, and you may even need to take things with a reserve. A windbreaker can protect you from strong winds, but it won't help if the air temperature drops significantly. The choice of shoes also depends on the weather and route. For example, trekking boots with hard soles and deep treads are more suitable for climbing on rocky surfaces, and if you expect to travel light with smooth trails and dry weather, you can use trekking sneakers.

Preparing for the hike

• Mountain tourism is not a vacation. Even the easiest route may require some physical training from the participants. First of all, endurance is required to overcome the climb, which can take several hours, as well as the ability of the legs and back to withstand loads. Cardio exercises are also recommended before hiking — this is necessary so as not to start suffocating even at a low altitude.

• By law, tourist groups and independent travelers are required to register with the Ministry of Emergency Situations 10 days before entering dangerous mountain routes: mountainous areas where rockfalls and avalanches are possible, as well as hiking in forests and nature reserves, cave descents and rafting on rivers with rapids. In this case, rescuers will know exactly where the group was supposed to be at a certain period, which greatly facilitates the search.

• It is not necessary to register one-day routes, but often, even when preparing more serious exits, tourists forget to notify the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and rescuers learn about the disappearance of people only after their loved ones sound the alarm. This happened to the tourists who climbed Oslyanka. According to search engines, tourists disappear on this peak almost every year.