In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Wise words and well worth heeding.
Most mountains are awesome, some are barren and stark and others (like my beloved Alps) are beautiful. All different but [U][I]all[/I][/U] - as others have said - [B]DANGEROUS![/B]
I have known times when travelling from the lake at a temperature of 28°C and climbing the
Passo dello Stelvio - 2758m (9045ft) from Bormio. Getting barely half way up (in July) and finding it was starting to snow.... a hasty, careful retreat is the only answer. But In a car is one thing - as thers have said, you DO NOT go walking without some experience...
[CENTER][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=2][I][B]Passo dello Stelvio[/B][/I][/SIZE][/FONT]
[IMG]http://www.montagna.tv/UserFiles/Image/Luglio2008/stelvio.jpg[/IMG]
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In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Mountains and the sea are very dangerous. The trouble is that only those who really know them have learnt to respect them. Weather conditions can change very easily and you have to be prepared for this. Yesterday I heard on the Spanish TV that the authorities are going to start charging people for those rescue missions which are triggered by their irresponsible behaviour. I am certain that other EU countries will start doing the same thing.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
We are climbers and walkers. ...In these high mountains it can and does snow at any time of the year, even summer. But even just reduced temperatures and rain, or even just cloud can turn a lovely summery jaunt into an epic. We always, even in summer take a rucksack full of water-proofs and warm clothing & even a plastic "Bivi-Bag" for emergences. Never, never, ever, go out without a compass and proper map. The mountains are not the danger , just some of the people who go up them. Of course this is not meant as a criticism of you Nielo. You did the right thing and sensibly turned back. You were in a car that could have kept you warm if you were stranded until help, that you would summon on your mobile phone arrived.
We think the sea is a dangerous place. At least when the weather gets bad in the mountains the ground doesn't start heaving up & down all over the place and try to swallow you all up
Pilch & Sprat
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
As a sailor and skier I'd have to agree with everything . At least in the mountains I've never been so naseous I wanted to die...
Last summer 4 young people died on Mt Blanc in a blizzard in August (I think). It may well have been ferragosto, as I went to a barbecue in a mountain village; there was sleet and a bitterly cold wind, and on the mountains above a thin covering of fresh snow. Loads of people were caught out and I lent my car blanket to a friend she was so cold. I have a healthy respect for the mountains, although that didn't stop me getting slightly sunburnt up there today!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree, Pilchard. Most experienced walkers or skiers and 'mountain people' know to go into the mountains prepared, but if you are not a mountain person, it is wise to stay on low ground.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Another consequence of these irresponsible attitudes is that they are not only endangering their own lives but also the ones of the rescuers. I think that governments should start prosecuting those who put so many lifes at risk through their own lack of better judgement. And make them pay for it.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Last year I was fortunate enough to drive from Penne to L'Aquila by the non-motorway route in September. I can remember thinking that it was not be a place to be unprepared in. Shortly afterwards we drove from Norcia to Casteluccio with variant weather all the way, the basic rule is treat mountains with the utmost respect - they've been there longer than you!!
I have walked through the Himalaya and am still here!!
We learnt respect for the weather early on, when we took no notice of darkening clouds whilst chatting in a bar. Husband was a rally driver so I respect his ability to drive safely in difficult conditions. However a slide from the top to the bottom of a hill, with Italians in their winter tyres veering round us, made us realise that Italy definitely has "the wrong sort of snow"!