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THE MOUNTAIN "Assassin"?

Unfortunately the winter season began with the tragic news about sci-climbers and hikers swept away by avalanches. And news are coming from very near the Mount Cusna, one of 10 peaks of which I speak in the 2000 book, perhaps my favorite.
not everyone knows that, but in our high Apennines accumulations of snow can become very large, even early in the season (currently more than one meter in altitude) and gullies in the rise in temperature after the first snowfall can lead to high risks associated with avalanches: look at this huge avalanche that I photographed in April 2009 in the Valley of Silence, on the North side of the Corno alle Scale, and I have already proposed last spring!

Fortunately, in addition to the dead there are survivors, as the two hikers missing in the Casoni's Profecchia and Bocca di Massa, in the shadow of Mount Prado. Parties with inclement weather and thick fog - a specialty of the Apennines, see photo on the side - they were lost and spent the night in a makeshift igloo. Shortly before dawn, were rescued from mountain rescue. Must say thanks to luck and the phone ...
In these cases, back to talking about "Killer Mountain". In reality, as all experts agree emphasize the Mountain is not bad: it's just a severe environment - especially in winter and bad weather! - Reserve and faces to those who love surprises so superficial and imprudent. This is true also for the high Apennines!
now in the warmth of the malls is material quality hiking and backcountry skiing and plenty of cheap, available to everyone. But do not just buy the best equipment: you should be able to use. And you have to accumulate experience on the ground, before launching into more challenging tours.
It is therefore essential to attend the courses of CAI, such as the next course of winter-walking to be held from January to March 2011 at the Bologna CAI (see photo for details, see also the NEWS blog in the top right).

Finally, not only ski-mountaineers, but also the hikers with snowshoes and / or crampons should pay attention to weather conditions, snow, snow cover in the days before the excursion, and in particular visit http://www.meteomont.org/ that region to region, with bulletins updated every 24 hours providing all this valuable information. For this the beginning of the winter season resume to publish weekly updates on the bulletin Meteomont Emilia Romagna region (see above).
Remember: do not transform a hike in a day to forget. And we have the courage to give up if the weather conditions and / or snow conditions are not favorable ...

Giovanni Mazzanti