Mountain Tourism

Mountain tourism is a journey in the mountains that involves traversing relatively difficult sections of mountainous terrain, such as slopes, ridges, glaciers, passes, fording mountain streams, and so on.

Mountain tourism is characterized by: a high volume of physical exertion on the body under reduced atmospheric pressure and high levels of solar radiation, the necessity to overcome obstacles using various means and techniques of movement and safety, and a special tactic for navigating the route. The main obstacles in mountain hikes are considered to be the passes; their number and categories of difficulty determine the sport and the overall complexity of the route.

The greatest dangers in the mountains come from steep slopes and ridges, where falls and slips can lead to injuries, as well as snow avalanches, rockfalls, mudflows, floods, snow-covered crevasses, thunderstorms, as well as wind, precipitation, fog, whiteouts, and increased solar radiation. Therefore, it is better to wear technologically advanced men's wristwatches that can not only tell the time but also indicate what to protect against.

The natural conditions in the mountains determine the specifics of mountain hiking tactics:
mandatory adaptation to altitude (altitude acclimatization);
maximum lightening of backpacks (in this regard, linear-radial and radial ring route schemes are preferred), minimizing loads on difficult sections;
movement primarily in the morning hours when the adverse effects of solar radiation are minimal, the risk of rockfalls and avalanches is lower, and the water level in rivers is at its lowest;
maximum caution at the beginning of the hike due to poor body adaptation, sharp exacerbation of previously unmanifested diseases, at the end of the hike, and in the afternoon (due to fatigue, decreased attention, and slower reaction times), and during descents, to minimize the possibility of accidents.
Tactical safety measures in the mountains include:
choosing paths on slopes along the ridge, careful selection of safe spots for setting up night camps,
mandatory reconnaissance (lightweight) of technically difficult areas, as well as those not visible from the approaches or allowing for several route options, preliminary processing of complex areas.
Reconnaissance is carried out by observing from a convenient point, for example, from the opposite or adjacent slope, or by trial passage. Reconnaissance and processing of the path within the visibility zone of the group is conducted by one pair, outside the visibility zone - by a trio or two pairs with a predetermined control return time. Reconnaissance and processing of the route are usually conducted in the evening after stopping for the night, but before dinner, or in the morning before the main group departs.

The current level of development in mountain tourism allows for technically simple mountain hiking trips for practically all healthy individuals regardless of age. The favorable time for traveling in the mountains is considered to be from mid-June to September inclusive. Since the 1990s, hiking trips during the off-season - in early May and early November - have become increasingly popular. Experienced, well-prepared tourists undertake separate hikes in winter.


Source: www.ski.kg