How to prepare an excursion

Italiano

Preparing an excursion consists in planning a route by evaluating all the elements necessary to travel it in relative safety, thus reducing the mountain risk. The many questions concerning it must be answered concern health and training, of oneself and any companions, what will the weather be like, choose shoes and clothing, what to pack, nutrition and hydration, up to why you are going [^] The season influences many factors of the preparation, some tracks can become more difficult or inaccessible for the snow in winter. The main itinerary of the Northern Grigna, the ascent to the Brioschi Refuge, is proof of this, because the summer route is impassable due to the risk of avalanches and you have to choose to tackle the steep winter route.

First approach

The paths of the first excursions arise spontaneously, usually they are the easy trails of the territory that you live in or those close to you in a natural environment, with a short travel time. Or you can walk on vacation, when you have more free time. The pleasure and benefit that has been experienced increases the desire to follow others, such as continuing beyond the end of the last walk, out of curiosity and discovering. Continuing the activity, more distant territories are also chosen, which have particular characteristics of attraction, due to their conformation, biodiversity, landscape, and to get in touch with another culture, a peasant and alpine world. One is prompted to visit a place by information, such as reading articles in magazines or the internet, television, videos, maps, advertising, photography, or by a famous person or friend who has talked about it, a trip, a idea, or you follow the group leader. The goal can become to reach a summit or simply share time with others in nature.

Planning

The choice of route planning depends on your physical condition and training. The elements of a route are length, profile and height difference, travel time, nature of the soil, signage, the presence of shelters, refreshment points and water sources, difficulties, such as exposed sections, equipped routes, Most of these features are found on a topographical map of the route area, sufficiently detailed, with a scale not greater than 1: 35000. The level lines of a map, lines drawn along a constant altitude, allow you to understand how steep the path is. The map should not be left at home because it is useful for having an overall view of the place and orienting oneself, one of the skills required to move in an isolated environment. The presence of snow or ice increases the difficulty, sometimes by a lot, as well as the weather conditions.

The next phase is about how to dress, what to pack, prepared with due calm, and which shoes to choose. Finally, the departure time must be chosen in order to return before dark.

During the excursion it is good to stay on the predetermined path, rejecting the temptation of variations that could complicate it, which is best reserved for another schedule. Furthermore, it is good to evaluate if you are respecting the set travel time. An essential thing is to leave said or even better written where you go to family, friends or acquaintances, even briefly describing the itinerary and how long it takes, especially when you go out alone. Instead, today I forgot to say where I was going, so Enrica believed that I was in Grigna, while I was in Piani di Bobbio.

References

1. How to prepare for a trek". Salomon. Retrieved 6 December 2021.