Here are some simple and useful tips to properly prepare your next snowshoe outing and thus make the most of the winter mountain.
Gather information:
- Check the mountain weather bulletin 08-92-68-02-74
- Check the avalanche risk assessment bulletin 08-92-68-10-20
- Ask professionals (guide and accompanying offices, ski schools, pisteurs) about mountain conditions. Listen to their advice, they live in contact with the mountain all year round and know it well.
- Check the recommendations and advice indicated on Topo guides or specialized magazines.
Preparation:
- Prepare yourself physically: the effort is more intense than for a summer hike.
- Study your route carefully on the map and prepare a walking plan: for example, on a half A4 laminated sheet, make a table indicating your route, the headings to follow and altitude of some notable points, estimated distances and durations between each point. It takes a bit of time, but just spending time doing this will make you know the route perfectly (thanks to the map) and in case of poor visibility, the information you have noted can be very useful to you. Plan a backup route in case of a difficult passage.
- Allow a significant time safety margin, in winter delays come quickly and night falls early.
- For the same reason, leave early, you will then have plenty of time to stroll along the way.
- Do not overestimate your abilities nor those of the people accompanying you. And not just physical abilities. Are you able to navigate if fog comes down and you have very limited visibility, for example?
- Never go alone, especially in winter. Still, for the great loners, think about informing someone of your route and leave it on your car (windshield) with a message indicating your expected return time and the rescue number if necessary.
