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Information winter

Monday, 04 October 2010 21:07

Avalanches and safety

One of the most important tasks of a mountain guide in winter is to be aware of the danger of avalanches and to take the necessary precautions. Experience and knowledge are of the utmost importance and only by being in the mountains every single day and by digging snow profiles is it possible to fully comprehend the situation.

Every participant will be equipped with an avalanche transceiver (so-called ‘pieps’) and every group will have shovels and probes. The guides have a radio connection with each other as well as with the mountain rescue service.

Still it can happen that the program has to be changed due to weather conditions. This is for your own safety and we hope you will understand this.

Equipment

All clients receive a detailed list of clothing and equipment after booking. All winter courses and tours include the use of costly avalanche transmitters, as well as avalanche shovels and probes and if necessary glacier equipment such as a climbing harness and rope.

Summer courses and climbs include all technical glacier and climbing equipment such as crampons, harness, karabiners, ice axe, helmet and rope.

Other equipment like wind- and waterproof Gore-Tex outerwear and alpine boots (see p 31) can be rented at Basecamp Mountaineering (see advertisement on p 47). Sometimes it is better to first rent and then buy. Should you wish to buy the equipment afterwards, Basecamp Mountaineering offers a 50 % discount on the rental price. In this way, you are sure that you have the right equipment!

Ski and ski touring boots

There are plenty of ski and ski touring boots to choose from nowadays. A specific ski touring boot (like Black Diamond Method) is less stiff and comes with a vibram profile sole, making walking comfortable, but in descending this type of boot is less precise. They are perfect for our ski touring weeks in which a lot of walking is involved. In our other programs there is more descending than walking and a boot with greater stiffness and more preciseness is needed. You can bring your own downhill boots if you want. Better suited are special freeride boots like the Black Diamond Factor. However, this type of boot is less suitable for long ski tours because of its stiffness.

Whatever the case, make sure you do not buy your boots too big (as many people do). They should best be fitted by a specialised bootfitter.

Clothing: the layering system

Clothing plays a big role on our equipment lists. It is important to be well protected without getting overheated. The layering system is the key to selecting your clothing: a quick drying thermal base layer, a thin (fleece) shirt, (fleece or windstopper) jacket and wind- and waterproof outer layer (Gore-Tex, e.g. Millet). Ideal for quick adaptation to the wide temperature and activities range.

As far as the base layer is concerned, we prefer a mix of high-quality merino wool (less odour and comfortable to wear) and synthetic (strong and quick drying) material, such as Carline wool by Millet.

Ski touring and freeride skis

Freeride skis are wider than normal skis (80+ mm under foot) making the off piste skiing more comfortable, safer and less tiring while still comfortable on piste. This will increase self confidence. No need to be an expert to enjoy the deep snow! Freeride skis come in different widths and, if equipped with tour bindings and fitting skins, can be used for touring as well.

The so-called fun carvers (short skis with a narrow waist) are not suitable for off-piste skiing as their weight bearing capacity beneath the binding is too little. 

The courses do not include ski equipment such as boots, poles and skis. Participants may bring their own ski and/or ski touring equipment. Ski rental is also possible.

Our rental skis are mounted with Fritschi Diamir freeride and touring bindings. Both downhill boots and ski touring boots fit these bindings. To be able to walk you unlock the heel. You then fix so called climbing skins under your skis making sure your skis glide forward, thanks to the short hair on the skins, but they do not slide backwards.