To immerse yourself in the heart of grandiose landscapes, you come into contact with a wild world in its raw state. A fascinating universe to which we must adapt, unlike our daily environment. This environment that surrounds you, lives, changes constantly. Appropriate equipment is therefore necessary to return from a day in the mountains, with edelweiss in your eyes!
Hiking is an activity in a natural environment, far from help, so you should prepare yourself to limit the risks as much as possible. Before giving you some recommendations, here is a little advice: listen to yourself, do not overestimate your abilities, if in doubt, it is better to give up, another day it will be better!
Before leaving
Before you leave, always take a little time to sit down and gather all the essential information.
- Choose a adapted hiking to your physical condition and level.
- Prepare your route using the maps IGN TOP 25 at 1/25000e or the “L'Oisans au Bout des Pieds” maps on sale in the Oisans tourist offices (€6 for the map and the guide, 6 maps for 6 valleys).
- Check out the weather forecasts local.
- Never go alone in the mountains ! This basic rule does not exempt you from informing a loved one of your program for the day (starting point, itinerary and objective of the day). To find you, you have to know where to look for you! Ideally, give a return time slot to let them know when you will return to civilization.
To take away
You wouldn't go to the beach without a swimsuit? Well in the mountains we slips hiking shoes!
- In addition to suitable shoes and clothing, In the backpack we put at least: water stocks sufficient (1 liter per person), a snack (at least cereal bars, dried fruits or chocolate), sunglasses, waterproof garment or windbreaker, a cap, crème solaire, warm clothing, couteau, a bag trash can to take the waste back down, and of course, a little basic pharmacy including bandages in case of blisters.
- Depending on the weather conditions, also plan for a hat and a small pair of gloves (it's cold at altitude) or a pair of gaiters (to cross the snowfields in spring). And to be completely complete, we also recommend a flashlight or frontal, a whistle (more effective than voice) and a blanket.
- For orientation, it is important to have a map of the area : technique like the IGN's TOP 25 or more accessible like the OBP cards, Oisans at your fingertips.
Good behavior in the Écrins park and everywhere in the mountains
- Stay on marked trails for your safety and to preserve this magnificent wilderness.
- In the Ecrins National Park, comply with the reglementation specific.
- Leave the flowers, minerals, fossils, etc., in their natural habitat, do not collect so that everyone can benefit.
- Respect other users from the mountains: mountain bikers, horse riders, shepherds, foresters…
- Stay discreet, animals fear noise.
- Bring back your trash with you.
- If you have a bad weather (fog, thunderstorms, strong winds) turn around !
Signage and beaconing
The cards “Oisans at your fingertips” identify the car parks that are the starting points for hikes. Once you are on a marked route, each crossroads has a PDIPR post (the famous yellow signs) which indicates:
- the name of the crossroads and its altitude (green ring)
- the main directions and the name of the next intersection (yellow sign)
- distances and walking time.
- the circuit numbers of the “Oisans au Bout des Pieds” topo-maps
To know
Mobile phone
It doesn't go everywhere, but, good news, the 112 him yes: even without network or without plan, but not without battery! Think about “airplane” mode to save battery, searching for the network in areas with poor coverage is energy-intensive for your device.
The offices of the guides and the escorts
They can provide you with information, but above all, support you. With them, security becomes exciting., because behind every good practice hides the secrets of a vertical, mineral and animal world. The mountain without a guide is a bit like a pair of scissors without a hairdresser, you can always take a risk, but the result will not be the same...
A night in a mountain hut has to be reserved
Even if the refuge keepers are ambassadors of mountain hospitality and conviviality, the fact remains that the number of beds is fixed and meals are prepared in the morning. So remember to book!
On the material side, add to your bag: a sleeping bag sheet, earplugs, a headlamp, a toiletry kit, change of clothes and a means of payment (credit card is not the rule).
To get the most out of your refuge experience, check out the page How to spend the night in a mountain hut.
Be careful with children
More fragile, they are more sensitive to altitude, sunstroke or dehydration... and especially to the combination of these factors.
For basic advice: consider putting your child in a cap, eyeglasses and crème solaire. If your cream is not effective, it is better to cover it with long sleeves. Children are very distracted, take their hand in case of air passage. For very young children in baby carriers, the risk of sunburn or heat stroke is greater because they are static. Make them drink very regularly and let them air out outside the baby carrier.
NO SKI LIFTS BEFORE 2 YEARS
A Sudden ascent to altitude can leave serious after-effects to the ears of a little one. It is therefore strongly advised not to take the ski lifts with a child under 2 years old. Wait until he is older, he will be able to babble better at the sight of a marmot!
Altitude sickness, symptoms and precautions
A sudden rise in altitude can be badly experienced by the body. The best is to stay a few days at an intermediate altitude before climbing higher. You should know that we are not all equal when it comes to altitude sickness, some will suffer from it, others will not even feel it. It is due to lack of oxygen and manifests itself by headaches, nausea, palpitations, ringing in the ears, great fatigue. The best remedy is to descend (gently) to a suitable altitude to our physical condition. Sleep makes things worse, so if you sleep in a refuge, don't go to bed thinking it will be better tomorrow, it will be better when you go back down.
Good reflexes in the mountains
Or how to protect nature and prepare yourself