Mountain info and resources
Going out into the mountains requires some background information, here I share some of the resources I use to oriënt myself and to get prepared for an upcoming hike. This list is not definitive and still being worked on, there is always more to learn about the mountains.
Route grading
Hiking trails can have different levels of difficulties, where some trails are paved others can be very difficult to navigate. Luckily, most routes are given a rating in the Alps. I always add these on my website to give you an idea of the difficulty.
In Italy they use the following levels of difficulty, these can sometimes be found on signs aswell.
| Italian grade | Description | Marking |
|---|---|---|
| T: Tourist | very easy hikes along wide tracks without any danger, these routes are made so that almost all people can do this trail. | White red white (T) |
| E: Escursionista | very low exposure hikes, usually along quite well trodden paths. Mostly easy single track/double track trail. Everyone with a normal fitness level can hike on these trails. | White red white (E) |
| EE: Escursionista Expert | exposure likely on these trails, hands sometimes required on easy scrambles. Narrow and less defined paths. These routes can get quite exposed at times and are thus only for people who have some experience in the mountains. Sure footedness is required. | White red white (EE) |
| EEA: Escursionista Expert con Attrezzatura | attrezzatura meaning equipment. Difficult trails with high levels of exposure requiring gear such as helmets, ropes or a Via Ferrata set. Paths not always marked. | White blue white (EEA) |
From here on you get into mountaineering grades which follows the French system, from F up to ED. But these routes are you wouldn’t go on if you wouldn’t have the knowledge.
SAC Scale: The SAC scale is made developed by the Swiss Alpine club, although not commonly found in Italy they can sometimes be written on the internet. And Milan is also not very far from Switzerland so it’s still useful to know.
| Grade | Trail | Terrain | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1: Hike (T) | Wide trails, well marked and easy to navigate. | Flat to slight hills, no risks of falling. | Yellow |
| T2: Mountainhike (E) | Well trodden routes that are easy to hike and usually well signposted. | Steepening, slight chance of falling | White red white |
| T3: Difficult mountain hike (EE) | Trails usually there, using of hands on some parts. Open parts usually secured by chain. | Partly exposed, trails not always in great condition, chances of falling, using of hands necessary | White red white |
| T4: Alpine hike (EE) | Trails not always there, using of hands on some parts. | Largely exposed, steep, hands used a lot | White blue white |
| T5: Difficult alpine hike (EEA) | Usually no trail, sometimes easy scrambling required | Exposed, steep and technical terrain requiring basic knowledge of equipment. | White blue white |
| T6: Very difficult alpine hike (EEA) | Usually no trail with scrambles up to class 2 | Exposed, steep and technical terrain requirin more indepth knowledge of equipment. | Usually not marked |
Weather
I would like to start of this part with saying that I’m not a meteorologist, but I do have a small background in Meteorology and I deal with it on a daily basis in my job.
The weather in the mountains can behave very differently and change very quickly. It is one of the most important items to check before going on an adventure. The area around Milan is the perfect location for (big) thunderstorms to build up quickly. Especially in summertime.
Mountains make for difficult forecasting, background information in these areas and experience help you make your own decisions when you’re out and about, as the forecast is not always accurate.
Some sources that I like to use:
www.windy.com
One of my favourite website to use for checking the weather is windy.com.
Windy comes with a load of features and is easy to use and navigate.
One of my favourite features on this website is the ability to change forecast provider. Different forecast services have different qualities and areas they usually excel in. Next to this you can compare different forecast and get a more complete picture of the weather that is to be expected.
You can also check the actual weather radar, data collected by satellites of the actual situation of cloud build up. A very useful tool when you’re already on the mountain to see how an area is developing and where it is moving.
There are also a lot of webcams placed in the alps. Which are accessible through Windy as well. All in all a great application to have when you’re out and about.
https://avalanche.report/bulletin/latest
In winter, it’s always important to be aware of the snow conditions and avalanche probability. This website is one of the best ones to find information about the area. If you have not had any avalanche training, be sure to stick on the trails in winter. And even if you stick on the trail it’s a good idea to check the avalanche probability because if it’s really high it can also occur on the well established trail. You’ll also find information about snow depth at different altitudes and locations usually measured by people.
Other
CAI Membership:
If you are planning on staying in a lot of rifugios or live in Italy and are in the mountains a lot. I recommend becoming a member of the Club Alpinismo Italiano. It is a relatively straight forward process and cost around €60-70 a year if you’re above 25 and €30-40 a year if you’re below 25.
Being a member of the CAI covers mountain rescues as insurance and gives you discounts at Rifugios.
More information can be found on their website: https://www.caimilano.org/