With sneakers towards Cabana Dochia: two young people from Suceava, turned away from the route by the mountain gendarmes
Two young men from Suceava county were stopped by the mountain gendarmes while they were traveling on the route to Cabana Dochia, in the Ceahlău Mountains, being caught climbing the mountain wearing sneakers, even though it is winter conditions.
The boys got off safely. PHOTO: Romanian Gendarmerie video capture
Considering the inadequate equipment and the high risks generated by the weather conditions specific to the cold season, the gendarmes advised the two to give up continuing the route. The young people heeded the advice they received and got off safely without incident.
The representatives of the Romanian Gendarmerie draw attention to the importance of adequate equipment in mountain hiking, especially in winter, when the routes can become dangerous due to ice, snow and low temperatures.
“Mountain police remind tourists that proper equipment is essential for safety on mountain trails, especially in winter,” sent Gendarmerie officials.
The intervention is part of the prevention activities carried out by the Montană Gendarmerie, whose main purpose is to protect the lives of tourists and avoid accidents on mountain trails, by monitoring frequented areas and advising people unprepared for hiking in difficult conditions.
The hidden dangers of winter mountain hiking
In winter, in addition to the risk of avalanches, tourists have to face other dangers specific to mountainous areas.
One of them is the disappearance of markings under the snow, which significantly increases the risk of getting lost. Fog, wind and snowy ridges reduce visibility, increasing the danger. Cornices, which are massive deposits of snow that hang over gaps and can give way with simple stepping, are one of the reasons why some trails are off-limits in winter.
In addition, rocky areas covered with ice, as well as snow bridges formed over ravines or streams in glaciated regions, are extremely risky.
Another problem is the extended duration of the trails, at a time when the trails become difficult to access, the weather is capricious, and the days are short. In the event of an accident, tourists must take into account that Salvamont interventions can be extremely difficult or even impossible in some alpine areas.
