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30 Good preparation and prudent planning can help
prevent accidents from happening in the mountains. Breathe in the fresh mountain air, delight in the panoramic views, exercise the body: hiking in the mountains and climbing via ferratas are currently on trend. Stunning landscapes, an excellent network of hiking trails and well-equipped via ferratas invite outdoor lovers to explore our beautiful country on foot. However, being out and about in Alpine terrain demands a high degree of self-responsibility, the ability to assess one’s own capabilities, and a keen awareness of potential dangers. Whether for a hiking trail or a via ferrata – thorough preparation is essential. In particular, you should make sure that you know your exact route and the conditions along the way. Hiking paths, mountain trails and Alpine routes demand different levels of ability. For via ferratas, too, the grades of difficulty vary from one region to another. Therefore, find out about the degree of difficulty and the demands of your chosen via ferrata in advance.
Careful planning is a must
Pay attention not only to the rough indications of difficulty, but also to other criteria, such as altitude differences, exposure to the elements or, in the case of via ferratas, the time it takes to reach and climb them. Allow yourself plenty of time, including for breaks. Also take into account the time of year, the openness of the chosen route and the weather: you can find out more about current conditions from websites and web-
cams, at cable car stations, from hut wardens or by talking to the locals. Do the test
Overdoing things increases the risk of accidents and makes your hike less enjoyable. Be realistic about your own abilities and plan accordingly. If you are hiking with other people, remember that the weakest member of the group determines the pace and the level of difficulty. Not sure which hiking routes are
Self-test and further information 3 Test and tips on the topic of hiking: Are you fit for a mountain hike? Take the test: www.sicher-bergwandern.ch 3 Safety on a via ferrata: Ten recommendations: www.sac-cas.ch/klettersteig 3 Maps: The free swisstopo app brings the national maps of Switzerland to your smartphone: www.swisstopo.admin.ch
3 Route planning: Where should your next hike take you? You can find numerous suggestions here: www.schweizmobil.ch www.schweizer-wanderwege.ch 3 Raising the alarm: All you need to know about raising the alarm and the Rega app: www.rega.ch/raising-the-alarm www.rega.ch/app
