There is a trend, a negative trend of increasing of accidents in the outdoor environment. If listening to guides and people in the branch it is obvious what it can depend on. We can see overall that people are more active than before, but with less of time to spend per activity. Today people have shorter time for the activities, using a two day trip in a mountain environment or hiking in the woods. The social media also push people to do more things for promoting their personal “branding”.

Social media affect our outdoor habits..

This means that people never got skilled in anything, but got a broad understanding of a lot. There are reports about people going up to Kebnekaise (high alpine environment) in jeans and sneakers. People are choosing the most difficult route on the Via Ferrata, rather than a one that matches their skills and experience.

Don’t force the mountain rescue to action because of lack of skills or equipment…

How does it come? I think people force them self to it, it is much tougher to show others that they can fix the most difficult of the ways and the most spectacular activities. They don’t have so much time to spend for learning, understanding and enjoying it for full. So instead they buy new equipment to compensate the lack of their skills and knowledge, and for their own confidence. Which of course is good for the outdoor marketJ. But having a second thought, ask yourself: why am I doing it, is it for me or for others to see what I have done? For just a couple of years ago, there were a lot of week hikers/skiers in the mountains. Today it is rare to see them.

Some interesting statistic about accidents: In USA the rescue team in the Rocky Mountains reports this: out of 2198 rescue mission, 19, 4% (428) was related to rock climbing. 43% out of the rescue mission was related to that the climbers were stranded or lost. From a climbing technical point of view; rappel, belay and loss of head lamp?! Was the biggest issues.

For a safer rappel, use the B.R.A.K.E for control:

Buckles check the buckles on your harness. Check all straps, Rappel-device and rope. Check the carabiners and that the rope is correct tread trough the rappel anchor, Anchor make sure it is strong. If it is a three secure its alive. , Knots check all the knots in the system, Ends confirm that the ends of your ropes are on the ground or that they reach the next anchor. Confirm that your system is closed with knots at the end of your rappel lines.

Sunday I was at Skuleberget for some Via Ferrata. Two routes was the target of the day. I was hoping for the black route, but the fate wants something else. It was meant to be the yellow and the red one this time. As always Skuleberget delivered. The early September air was crisp, and a perfect day on the wall. The weather in spite it was not crowded. I expected more people due to the fantastic weather. As always Skuleberget delivered. Hoping for at least one more visit this season..

Via Ferrata at Skuleberget Sweden..

The mysticism of mountains has always been a fact. High mountains have always been in the focus of religions and in wars of course. You can read about it in the bible, and a lot of other books have been written in the subject. There is a podcast about horror stories, and I have chosen a section that can fit in here. So enjoy the creepypodden.

Don’t follow the wrong guide:-)

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/839222?programid=4845

Mountaineering season is coming up so here you got some good inspiration for it…

https://greatist.com/fitness/cardio-bodyweight-exercises

And if you need a headlamp due to the report above you got a good suggestion here:

https://www.addnature.com/black-diamond-revolt-matt-black-452056.html

 

See ya soon..