{"id":619,"date":"2020-09-25T14:22:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-25T14:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mountain-level.com\/?p=619"},"modified":"2023-12-12T17:49:42","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T17:49:42","slug":"the-klettersteig-6-important-points-every-hiker-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mountain-level.com\/index.php\/2020\/09\/25\/the-klettersteig-6-important-points-every-hiker-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The Klettersteig – 6 essential points every hiker should know"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The next level in hiking for mountain enthusiasts who are always looking for adventures is\u00a0\u201c<\/i><\/em>the Klettersteig<\/i><\/em>\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0or\u00a0\u201c<\/i><\/em>the Via-Ferrata<\/i><\/em>.\u201d<\/i><\/em><\/p>

As for any challenging experience, you have to be aware of the\u00a0risks involved\u00a0in this activity. There is a price to be paid to belong to this distinct group of hikers: you always need to have the\u00a0will to conquer your fear, always\u00a0push towards your goal, and of course, always\u00a0enjoy the ride.<\/p>

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker, the organizer, or just a participant, you need to consider some\u00a0requirements\u00a0to be safe,\u00a0protect others, and have\u00a0a fantastic trip.<\/p>

Be aware that\u00a0your tour starts with the preparation, during which there are some essential points to consider:<\/p>

1. Route and conditions \u2013\u00a0which route is the right one?<\/strong><\/p>

Is your fitness level good enough to complete the trail? Everybody should know that to reach a specific route, you have to hike a bit before; that means you don\u2019t have to use all of your energy before the starting point.<\/p>

Be aware of the\u00a0length\u00a0of the route to know precisely how much hiking you have to do before and after the actual Klettersteig.<\/p>

To help climbers identify which route is the best for them and understand the\u00a0difficulty, each path is marked using\u00a0\u201cthe International Scale<\/i><\/em>\u201d: A \u2013 easy to E \u2013 extremely difficult (the route\u2019s indicator is placed right after the name of each route).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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It is also essential to know if there are some\u00a0resting places\u00a0\u2013 intentionally designed places where you can catch your breath a bit, drink something, have a little snack, or maybe take some pictures. On challenging routes, starting with C and D, there are even\u00a0emergency exits\u00a0on the way to help climbers reconsider the tour.<\/p>

When you plan your tour, the\u00a0position to the sun\u00a0also plays a crucial part. Therefore, you should know precisely when the actual Klettersteig will be reached (in the morning or the afternoon), as an East wall is different than a West one (slippery stones, cold temperature, or too much sun).<\/p>

An excellent place to inform yourself is the Internet, and nowadays, many websites offer support for most tours \u2013 before starting, download the\u00a0GPS(gpx)\u00a0map and the\u00a0topo\u00a0for the selected route.<\/p>

At the beginning of the season, you should also consider if the Klettersteig is an alpine environment and if\u00a0the route\u00a0is open and\u00a0verified. Is snow still there?<\/p>

Important notice:\u00a0Do not go into closed routes!\u00a0If the path is marked as closed, it means that a specialist had important reasons to close the route to the public: it may have missing parts, some sections may be under construction\/replacement, or the environment might not permit a safe passage. Every route is verified by qualified personnel on a fixed period.<\/p>

2. Weather \u2013\u00a0inform yourself in advance about the weather conditions<\/strong><\/p>

On a typical hike, one can return in case of bad weather, but on a Klettersteig, the situation is a bit more complex. If the route is\u00a0wet, if it\u2019s\u00a0cold, or if the\u00a0wind is strong, the chance of falling is increasing.<\/p>

Consider also that a Klettersteig is a giant electricity-conducting system, and a\u00a0lightning\u00a0strike puts your life in danger.<\/p>

In case of rain,\u00a0do not let go\u00a0of the metal wire!\u00a0Do not unclip\u00a0yourself! Please search for the immediate exit and use it.<\/p>

3. Equipment \u2013\u00a0the proper gear<\/strong><\/p>

Mandatory gear:<\/p>

\u2013 harness\u00a0(waist or combi);<\/p>

\u2013 Klettersteig-set\u00a0with the energy-absorbing system;<\/p>

\u2013 helmet: it protects you from stones that fall or protects the head from unwanted wall strokes;<\/p>

\u2013 gloves: they protect you from the strands that come out of a damaged wire, and they also offer extra grip;<\/p>

\u2013 shoes.<\/p>

Optional:\u00a0resting line\u00a0(after difficulty C is helpful),\u00a0sunglasses\/protection glasses,\u00a0sunscreen,\u00a0first aid kit,\u00a0phone,\u00a0water\u00a0(beverages),\u00a0food,\u00a0lamp,\u00a0extra\u00a0functional clothes.<\/p>

Like every object, each piece of equipment has a lifetime. Therefore, be aware that the hikers must replace the Klettersteig set\u00a0after ten years\u00a0or after a\u00a0severe fall.<\/p>

4. The participants\u00a0\u2013 know every person<\/strong><\/p>

To get the maximum from your hike, pay attention to your hiking buddies\u2019\u00a0fitness level. All the members should have a comparable\u00a0condition, similar\u00a0knowledge\u00a0and, very importantly, each member must be surefooted and\u00a0not afraid of heights!<\/p>

5. On the hike\u00a0\u2013 suggestions, and recommendations<\/strong><\/p>

Partner-check:\u00a0before entering the route, as a security measure, use the 4-eyes principle and\u00a0verify each other\u2019s equipment:<\/p>

\u2013 control the fastening of the\u00a0harness\u00a0to the body;<\/p>

\u2013 control the connection between the\u00a0Klettersteig-set\u00a0and the harness;<\/p>

\u2013 control the fastening of\u00a0helmet\u00a0clips.<\/p>

Keep the distance:\u00a0there should always be only\u00a0one climber\u00a0between two fixed points.<\/p>

One wire rope section\u00a0should be\u00a0left empty between the participants\u00a0in vertical sections. Otherwise, the fall of a hiker placed above would be very dangerous for the participant placed right below them.<\/p>

Communicate your intentions\u00a0when overtaking someone. Do not remain unsecured or wait until the terrain permits a safe passage.<\/p>

In case of\u00a0rockfall, announce it to the participants located below quickly and firmly.<\/p>

If you walk on easy terrain, you can secure yourself with only one carabiner(clip one of the Klettersteig-set\u2019s carabiner to the other one).\u00a0Never connect one carabiner to the metal wire and the other one to your harness\u00a0(if you do this, you will bypass the energy absorber, which will lose its safety function).<\/p>

Take into consideration\u00a0that every participant of the hike should not be overstrained mentally and physically.\u00a0Be patient\u00a0and remember that everyone was once a beginner \u2013 in such case you have more time to enjoy the view.<\/p>

Never forget that\u00a0the hike is finished when you are back down safely!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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6. Environment\u00a0\u2013 protect the nature<\/strong><\/p>

In the mountains, we are guests, and we should act like ones. Take your garbage back with you (bottles, cans, plastic packaging). Do not light fires and camp only in permitted areas. Consider the animals around you, do not disturb them, and do not collect flowers.<\/p>

By considering these points, not only will you be able to\u00a0enjoy your hike\u00a0safely, but you will also have a\u00a0magnificent adventure to remember\u00a0over the years.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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