Hiking on the plains is a relatively easier activity than hiking in the mountains. The path in the mountains is treacherous and the weather is ever-changing. If you don’t have special skills to survive in the mountain then you won’t be able to achieve your trekking goals for the day. In this blog, we have listed the essential survival skills and other techniques that will help you scale peaks and survive days in the mountain. We have also focused on the essential steps you need to follow for your safety during your stay in the mountain or when you are scaling the route to the summit.

Check the Avalanche and Weather Report

Enquiring about the local weather from sites like the Met office that will give you a rough idea about how the weather will help on the day of your outing. The important thing to note here is that you must verify the weather during the morning just before heading out. The weather forecast in the mountains can change in a matter of hours and you should make the final call on heading out only in the morning, after making sure that the weather will remain favourable. During the winter season, you must enquire about the local areas on the trail where there is a risk of avalanche. You should also inquire about the possibility of snowstorms on the way. Getting hit by an avalanche or being stuck in a terrible snowstorm could prove fatal and thus having information about the possibility of either of them is necessary for survival in the mountain.

Learn New Mountaineering Techniques

Learning new mountaineering techniques not only includes learning the skills but also learning how to use the latest mountaineering safety gear for help during emergencies. For example, learning how to self-arrest while descending from a snowy peak or how to use the ice axe will be beneficial to survive in the sketchy sections of the mountain. Using crampons to walk on the ice or surviving in the mountain when the wind speed is over 50 mph are other such skills you must master for survival in the mountains. You must learn to use the avalanche gears and practice finding rucksacks under the snow to master your skills of finding someone stuck in an avalanche.

Learn Rope Climbing and Making Snow Shelter

Many people think that learning rope climbing is just a skill that will help you scale mountains. However, this activity is also a healthy workout for the whole body and even if you are in the city, you can practice wall climbing to strengthen muscles. Rope climbing can also help you in survival during rescue missions. Similarly, learning to make a snow shelter will immensely help you if you are stuck in a snowstorm with your group. With the help of your group, you can quickly make a snow shelter on the mountains and stay protected from the storm. This skill must be mastered as a winter walking survival skill in the mountains.

If you want to learn similar mountaineering skills, then you can enrol yourself in some mountaineering courses. Taking a course will give you the confidence to use your skills and the chance to practice what you have learned by conducting mock survival situations. If you have ever been a part of any such course or you know other survival skills, then do share your experience with us.