How to respect and protect the mountains

The first step to protecting the mountains can all be taken, always, and it's simple: just respect them, which doesn't just mean not littering them with rubbish left by truly uncivilized people, but also feeling the duty to protect them with our behavior, respecting the people and animals who live in these areas, and the beautiful things we are fortunate enough to encounter.

The mountain, like the sea, is respected in every period of the year, not only to protect it and not waste its charm and beauty, but also because these are places that, now more than ever, are at the centre of enormous pressures, environmental (first of all the climate crisis and pollution) and anthropic (the rampant overtourism It spares no corner of the mountain, and in any season of the year).

Respecting the mountains means knowing them, experiencing them with lightness and passion, but without unnecessary forcing, with behaviors so simple that ignoring them becomes scandalous and, in some respects, even absurd.

• Choosing the itinerary. Not all routes are the same, and selection shouldn't be made simply on a whim or out of curiosity. It's important to measure your own level of fitness, avoid taking risks (mountains are challenging), and carefully check the weather forecast before any type of excursion or high-altitude sporting activity. Two small, but useful, precautions. Always inform someone outside the group of your plan, and don't be careless with your gear: in the mountains, it's essential to always be well-equipped.
• Follow paths and trails. During the summer and the temperate seasons, there are clearly marked trails, while in winter, the mountains can mean skiing on the slopes, but in any case, the essence of correct behavior remains the same: in the mountains, you must not stray from the trails, when there are any. Unless there is a very experienced guide who accompanies you and guarantees your safety and respect for the places.
• Zero waste. The mountain is not an urban street, where there are bins to put any type of rubbish, divided according to the criteria of the collectionAlways imagine going to places where there aren't even bins, and then base your actions on the "zero waste" goal.
• Cigarette butt holder for smokers. The mountain is not a zone No smoking, Although there are a thousand reasons, from health to the environment, to avoid smoking when you go to the mountains. If you really can't give up your cigarettes, equip yourself with a cigarette butt holder: woe betide anyone who leaves even one on the ground butt.
• Respect animals. You're not at the zoo, and in the mountains you'll probably come across wild animals or even herds of them. Don't disturb them, don't force them to suffer the violence of your Selfie And while you're fiddling around, don't shout or make excessive noises that might scare them. In short: leave them alone. They have every right to.
• Respect the flora. In general, you should avoid picking mountain flowers and plants during your hikes. If you decide to do so, familiarize yourself with the rules of the mountain areas you're visiting and strictly adhere to their contents.
• Silence is golden. The mountain is a place of atmospheres, made and basted with the silenceDon't waste this wonderful chemistry, inspired by a natural quiet, so rare in city life. Spare yourselves the loud music, songs, and shouted conversations. You're not in a nightclub or a stadium.
• Report damage and problems. Ultimately, more than any rule or prohibition, respect for the mountains, to be effective and consistent, must be shared with the community of people who frequent the area where you are. So, for example, if you encounter a trail in poor condition, or if you find yourself on a clearly neglected trail, try to cooperate and report any malfunctions you encounter. The CAI (Italian Alpine Club) service, for example, is very efficient in this regard. The mountains, like every piece of nature, belong to everyone, and we can all truly protect them.
• Don't light fires and know your water sources. Bonfires in the mountains are always risky. While it is useful not only to always have a water bottle with water, but also knowing the areas where it can be easy to find it at the source.
• Respect local rules. Not all mountains are the same, and the rules can vary from one region to another. You just need to be aware of this and act accordingly.

How to behave in the mountains

Those who love mountain holidays know they must follow a series of rules to make their stay safe and comfortable. Let's take a look at how to behave in the mountains.

• First of all, before leaving, always find out about the distances to be covered, The presence of any shelters where you can refresh yourself or rest, and the weather conditions, to avoid encountering storms that can prove very difficult to manage. It's especially important to plan ahead if you're traveling with children.
• Before leaving for the mountains, you should always leave word where you are going., in case you get lost along the way.
• During the excursion, you should not rush to arrive and if you leave in a group, you must always keep pace with the weakest and slowest.
• From time to time, it is necessary to take breaks, to refresh themselves and drink some water.
• Those who stop in shelters, especially if the trekking It's a long journey, and you must always remember to register in the shelter book, so as to leave a trace of your journey.
• If an unexpected storm approaches during the journey (which is very common in the mountains), we have to go back, remembering to stay away from isolated trees and not to remain on the summit or crest of a mountain.
• In the mountains, cell phone use must be limited. and turn off all settings that drain battery quickly.
• Whoever goes to the mountains must dress appropriately, with comfortable clothing, suitable footwear, possibly non-slip, waterproof and lightweight.
• The underwear should be warm and the clothing waterproof and windproof.
• The hiker always carries one with him waterproof backpack in which to store, in an orderly fashion, everything that might be useful along the way.
• Plenty of fluids, energy-rich food and a good sunscreen which protects from the kings which are very treacherous in the mountains.
• The hiker always carries a GPS device, a topographic map, a first aid kit and a headlamp for illumination during winter hikes, when the sun sets earlier.

Why don't you shout in the mountains?

There's a specific mountain etiquette, made up of rules that, as we've seen, must be respected to make everyone's holiday more enjoyable and to respect the ecosystem as a whole. The most important thing is that in the mountains, you shouldn't shout, make noise, or play loud music. I boschi They are places where silence must reign, so that animals can live their existence in peace. In the mountains, we spend time together happily, showing mutual respect and, above all, respect for this wonderful environment waiting to be discovered.

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