While astronomical spring is fast approaching, the winter season, as far as both skiing and snow hiking are concerned, will have a significant tail that makes the need for a further reminder of how important prudence and awareness are when venturing into challenging winter environments more important than ever.
GET INFORMED… ABOUT HOW TO BE INFORMED!
The first step to experiencing the mountain environment in the right way is what, with a play on words, we might define as «getting informed about how to be informed». Search engines, video tutorials, social networks and AI make it extremely easy to find information regarding the consultation of weather and snow/avalanche bulletins, suitable equipment, excursion planning, assessing one’s own abilities, and procedures for alerting rescue services in case of need. To avoid ambiguity and incorrect (or only partially correct) information, it is even more appropriate to rely on a shared language, at least among all the bodies that deal daily with mountains and rescue services, as it is the case in Trentino with the “Safety on the Mountain” (Prudenza in montagna) project, and in the province of Belluno with the “Conscious Mountain” (Montagna consapevole) project.
“CONSCIOUS MOUNTAIN” AND “SAFETY ON THE MOUNTAIN”
Last spring, the DMO Belluno Dolomites Foundation, with the support of the Province of Belluno, AGRAV, AULSS 1 Dolomiti, CAI Veneto, UNESCO Dolomites Foundation, the Alpine Guides of Veneto and the Alpine and Speleological Rescue of Veneto – Belluno Dolomites Delegation, launched the project «Conscious Mountain» as part of the Network for the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation, coordinated by the Province of Belluno. The DMO Belluno Dolomites Foundation portal outlines not only the 11 basic rules for winter hiking but also details on planning, reading bulletins, choosing equipment, and obtaining information from the competent authorities and support facilities, for every type of experience: from snowshoeing to off-piste, from ski touring to ice climbing.
The Belluno initiative was inspired by what was launched in 2022 thanks to the synergy between Trentino Marketing, UNESCO Dolomites Foundation, the South Tyrol Mountain Hut Association, S.A.T. (Società Alpinistica Tridentina), the Alpine and Speleological Rescue of South Tyrol, the Board of Alpine Guides, the Provincial Board of Ski Instructors of South Tyrol and the Police Forces. In addition to the sets of ten rules and dedicated days, the project also provides operators in the sector with the opportunity to download images and infographics for each individual outdoor activity, in order to further promote a culture of prudence (not of safety, because, as we are reminded, in the mountains zero risk does not exist) based on clear and shared language.