Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 2)

To continue with part two of my condensed guide to mountaineering...

(Adapted from the UP Basic Mountaineering Course)

While here's a link to Part 1 for reference:
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)

*****

Part 2: Climb Proper

Pacing
* Always start with a slow pace to slowly warm up your muscles. Then gradually change your pace to the group’s desired pace.
* Maintain a steady rhythm while trekking. When negotiating steep slopes, keep the rhythm (pace) by shortening your strides. On level ground, maintain the rhythm by taking longer strides.
* Do not allow anyone to lag behind. An isolated climber heightens the risk factor in an expedition.
* Should there be a need to stop, inform the lead or tail man so that he or she can give the appropriate order to stop.
* The pace of the group should be that of the slowest member or the person who has the heaviest load. This prevents a large team spread along the trail in very long gaps. In some cases, a struggling or an injured climber can be deployed at the rear part ONLY if he/she will trek with his/her groupmates.

Trekking Techniques
In negotiating the trail, some techniques must be kept in mind in order to provide the safest and least difficult route to the summit or objective. Some guidelines are mentioned here.

* Prevent muddy spots from turning into 10-20 foot wide mud highways. Be sure to stay on the trail if it is muddy or wet. If you walk around the mud the trail will widen and become even muddier in the future. Mud is part of the backcountry challenge. Expect it. Hike through it. It is not that difficult. You can even use a stick, walking staff or trek pole to help gauge the depth of the mud and to help you with balance.


* Foot prints will also tell you how deep a mud is. It’s faster to step on someone’s foot print than exploring an alternative path. On steep trails, boot skid marks also tells you that someone already “slipped here” so avoid it if you can. If your boot got stuck on the mud, just step backwards to let it free.


* If a log or a fallen tree is blocking the trail: check if it is safe to pass, either crawl under or walk over by stepping on joints of branches. If it is not pasable, make a detour.
* If a log is quite high to step on, you can sit on the log and make a pivoting move by moving your both legs over the log, these lessens the strain on your legs

Descending
* Reposition heavy items (mostly wet clothes or tent) at the bottom part of your pack prevents pushing your head first to the ground when you lose balance.
* To maintain balance and traction during descent, learn to dig first with your heel or the side of your foot.
* When there is a need to hold on roots or vines, first test if they are sturdy enough to carry your weight and that they do not have any thorns.
* If the terrain is too steep and slippery, face the wall and step downwards as if you are going down a ladder.

River Crossing
River crossings can be dangerous. Depth and strength of the current will affect your movement in the water. It is therefore important to assess the need to cross the river before proceeding. Check the area for other avenues to get safely across like natural bridges or shallower portions. If you are in any doubt as to the safety of a river, you should not attempt a crossing. Certain precautions can be taken when crossing a river becomes necessary:

* Loosen shoulder strap, unfasten your hipbelt and sternum strap when crossing rivers and streams - whether a log bridge, over rocks or through the water itself. This will allow you to remove your backpack quickly in case you fall into the water. Backpacks tend to float and will trap your body which is less bouyant (forcing you) under the water.
* Bend your knees and face the incoming current for better balance. Cross in a diagonal line of the river so you are able to see any approaching debris.
* Wet and mossy rocks (usually green) are very slippy so AVOID stepping directly on top of it. Set your foot “in between” rocks instead for better grip. In case your foot got stuck in between rocks, pull it by stepping backwards.


* Face the current. Water carries floating debris downstream which may hit you if you are unaware or not paying attention.
* When the water exceeds waist level, the use of a rope is recommended. A rope is strung across the body of the water diagonally downstream and used as a guide for the members crossing. Climbers should stay on the downstream side.

Flash Floods - Flash floods are lethal. Do not attempt to cross during a flashflood. The water current can turn deadly very quickly and often without any warning. The strong and fast current often carry large debris that can sweep you into the river even if you are crossing with the assistance of a rope line, trekking poles or locked arms with a fellow trekker. It is best to be cautious and wait on higher ground for the flash flood to subside as it does not last for very long. Flash floods are often preceded by a sudden heavy downpour or a long spell of rain. The color of the water may turn from clear to the color of light tea or beer to coffee. There are no observable audible signs as they may be drowned out by the sound of rain, and they are observable visually only when they are full-blown and thus already deadly. (The occurrence of flash floods may intensify in frequency due to denudation of mountain slopes, quarrying, river silting, obstructions to the normal flow of waterways and the increasing intensity and frequency of storms due to Global Warming and Climate Change.)

Rests
During rest periods, do not sit or lie down at once. Keep standing at least thirty (30) seconds to allow your pulse to normalize before sitting down. Drinking too much too quickly will induce an abrupt lowering of your body temperature.

Trail Etiquette
1. When trailblazing, avoid the indiscriminate cutting of vegetation. Do not leave hack marks as trail signs on trees. Keep trailblazing to a minimum to preserve the natural state of the wilderness. Inform the person behind you of imminent obstacles or dangers along the path.

2. When the group is unsure of the proper path toward the objective, the team should take a break to allow several members scout for the right trail or path.

3. "Short-cutting" a switchback is bad trail etiquette because it kills vegetation and loosens soil creating a new trail straight up and down the hill, which will in time get large and hollowed out from erosion. Do your part to keep our trails beautiful and control erosion.

4. Do not litter. If you find litter on the trail, pick it up.

5. Smoking on the trail or during short rests is strictly prohibited.

6. Inform the person in front of you if they dropped anything on the trail or if you notice loose straps, flaps, belts and knots on their clothes, packs or shoes that may have come loose during the trek.

Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 2)

To continue with part two of my condensed guide to mountaineering...

(Adapted from the UP Basic Mountaineering Course)

While here's a link to Part 1 for reference:
Idiot's Guide to the Mountains (Part 1)

*****

Part 2: Climb Proper

Pacing
* Always start with a slow pace to slowly warm up your muscles. Then gradually change your pace to the group’s desired pace.
* Maintain a steady rhythm while trekking. When negotiating steep slopes, keep the rhythm (pace) by shortening your strides. On level ground, maintain the rhythm by taking longer strides.
* Do not allow anyone to lag behind. An isolated climber heightens the risk factor in an expedition.
* Should there be a need to stop, inform the lead or tail man so that he or she can give the appropriate order to stop.
* The pace of the group should be that of the slowest member or the person who has the heaviest load. This prevents a large team spread along the trail in very long gaps. In some cases, a struggling or an injured climber can be deployed at the rear part ONLY if he/she will trek with his/her groupmates.

Trekking Techniques
In negotiating the trail, some techniques must be kept in mind in order to provide the safest and least difficult route to the summit or objective. Some guidelines are mentioned here.

* Prevent muddy spots from turning into 10-20 foot wide mud highways. Be sure to stay on the trail if it is muddy or wet. If you walk around the mud the trail will widen and become even muddier in the future. Mud is part of the backcountry challenge. Expect it. Hike through it. It is not that difficult. You can even use a stick, walking staff or trek pole to help gauge the depth of the mud and to help you with balance.


* Foot prints will also tell you how deep a mud is. It’s faster to step on someone’s foot print than exploring an alternative path. On steep trails, boot skid marks also tells you that someone already “slipped here” so avoid it if you can. If your boot got stuck on the mud, just step backwards to let it free.


* If a log or a fallen tree is blocking the trail: check if it is safe to pass, either crawl under or walk over by stepping on joints of branches. If it is not pasable, make a detour.
* If a log is quite high to step on, you can sit on the log and make a pivoting move by moving your both legs over the log, these lessens the strain on your legs

Descending
* Reposition heavy items (mostly wet clothes or tent) at the bottom part of your pack prevents pushing your head first to the ground when you lose balance.
* To maintain balance and traction during descent, learn to dig first with your heel or the side of your foot.
* When there is a need to hold on roots or vines, first test if they are sturdy enough to carry your weight and that they do not have any thorns.
* If the terrain is too steep and slippery, face the wall and step downwards as if you are going down a ladder.

River Crossing
River crossings can be dangerous. Depth and strength of the current will affect your movement in the water. It is therefore important to assess the need to cross the river before proceeding. Check the area for other avenues to get safely across like natural bridges or shallower portions. If you are in any doubt as to the safety of a river, you should not attempt a crossing. Certain precautions can be taken when crossing a river becomes necessary:

* Loosen shoulder strap, unfasten your hipbelt and sternum strap when crossing rivers and streams - whether a log bridge, over rocks or through the water itself. This will allow you to remove your backpack quickly in case you fall into the water. Backpacks tend to float and will trap your body which is less bouyant (forcing you) under the water.
* Bend your knees and face the incoming current for better balance. Cross in a diagonal line of the river so you are able to see any approaching debris.
* Wet and mossy rocks (usually green) are very slippy so AVOID stepping directly on top of it. Set your foot “in between” rocks instead for better grip. In case your foot got stuck in between rocks, pull it by stepping backwards.


* Face the current. Water carries floating debris downstream which may hit you if you are unaware or not paying attention.
* When the water exceeds waist level, the use of a rope is recommended. A rope is strung across the body of the water diagonally downstream and used as a guide for the members crossing. Climbers should stay on the downstream side.

Flash Floods - Flash floods are lethal. Do not attempt to cross during a flashflood. The water current can turn deadly very quickly and often without any warning. The strong and fast current often carry large debris that can sweep you into the river even if you are crossing with the assistance of a rope line, trekking poles or locked arms with a fellow trekker. It is best to be cautious and wait on higher ground for the flash flood to subside as it does not last for very long. Flash floods are often preceded by a sudden heavy downpour or a long spell of rain. The color of the water may turn from clear to the color of light tea or beer to coffee. There are no observable audible signs as they may be drowned out by the sound of rain, and they are observable visually only when they are full-blown and thus already deadly. (The occurrence of flash floods may intensify in frequency due to denudation of mountain slopes, quarrying, river silting, obstructions to the normal flow of waterways and the increasing intensity and frequency of storms due to Global Warming and Climate Change.)

Rests
During rest periods, do not sit or lie down at once. Keep standing at least thirty (30) seconds to allow your pulse to normalize before sitting down. Drinking too much too quickly will induce an abrupt lowering of your body temperature.

Trail Etiquette
1. When trailblazing, avoid the indiscriminate cutting of vegetation. Do not leave hack marks as trail signs on trees. Keep trailblazing to a minimum to preserve the natural state of the wilderness. Inform the person behind you of imminent obstacles or dangers along the path.

2. When the group is unsure of the proper path toward the objective, the team should take a break to allow several members scout for the right trail or path.

3. "Short-cutting" a switchback is bad trail etiquette because it kills vegetation and loosens soil creating a new trail straight up and down the hill, which will in time get large and hollowed out from erosion. Do your part to keep our trails beautiful and control erosion.

4. Do not litter. If you find litter on the trail, pick it up.

5. Smoking on the trail or during short rests is strictly prohibited.

6. Inform the person in front of you if they dropped anything on the trail or if you notice loose straps, flaps, belts and knots on their clothes, packs or shoes that may have come loose during the trek.