Mountains live a peculiar life. Seeming from a distance dead and motionless, they are in continuous movement. Silent silence gives way to the roar of landslides and the roar of the storm. A warm sunny day gives way to a harsh, frosty night.
When a person gets into the mountains, he has to fight against the elements - a force many times greater than the physical strength of a person.
And in this struggle, a person emerges victorious only when he is stronger than the mountains. The climber is armed with technology, experience, knowledge, the power of his mind, and with these powerful means of struggle he emerges victorious. At every step, the climber is threatened with dangers, both obvious and hidden. To overcome them and pave the way to the peaks, the climber must know a lot, understand a lot and see a lot; must know the dangers of the mountains well, foresee them, solve them in advance and be able to avoid them.
Mountain hazards are conditionally divided into two groups: objective hazards that exist in the mountains themselves, and subjective hazards that arise for reasons that depend on the climber himself. Objective hazards, in turn, can be divided into general and local hazards. General dangers can threaten everywhere, regardless of terrain and place; these include: rain, fog, storm, thunderstorm, darkness. Local dangers arise only in certain areas: these are rockfalls on rocks and from rocks, avalanches on snowy, firn and ice slopes, hidden cracks on glaciers, etc.
One of the most serious dangers that a climber has to deal with in the mountains is bad weather. A mountain that is easy to climb in good weather becomes very difficult and dangerous in bad weather.
Rain
During or after rain, small mountain streams turn into violent and dangerous streams. The grassy slopes of the mountains become slippery. Rain makes unstable small screes, which, with prolonged, even light rain, begin to crawl, sometimes in very large masses. It is not only difficult to move along wet screes, but it is also difficult to hold on when falling; it is also easy to get hit by rockfalls here. Even a slight rain does a lot of destructive work in the rocks, as a result of which rockfalls occur. Climbing wet rocks is not only difficult, but also dangerous.
When the temperature drops after rain, the rocks are covered with a thin ice crust, and then climbing them is very dangerous. On snowy and firn slopes, rain can cause an avalanche; on a glacier, it weakens the strength of snow bridges over cracks. When it rains, one should especially beware of rockfalls and avalanches in gutters and couloirs, which are natural drains not only for water, but also for stones and snow.
When it rains, it is best to stop climbing and take cover in a tent. In case of rain, you need to have a storm suit with you.
Storm and cold
A storm in the mountains is a wind of great strength with sharp gusts. A storm can be snowy or snowless. Even in the gorges, the force of the storm is not only very tangible, but sometimes makes it necessary to take the most drastic measures of protection. The higher the altitude and the lower the air temperature, the greater the strength of the storm, the greater the danger. Severe frost in calm weather is easier to bear than light frost in strong winds.
A snowless storm often rages even in perfectly clear weather. Then from below, from the gorge, you can learn about the storm raging on the tops of the mountains, by the so-called “flags”, or, as they say, “smoking peaks”, when snow dust is blown away by the wind from the ridges and from the peaks and spins from the leeward side.
On the crests of ridges or on individual open ledges, the storm manifests itself especially treacherously; a climber walking in almost complete calm receives a sudden air push, which is enough to knock a person down. The storm can cause rockfalls and avalanches.
Snowstorms are even more dangerous. The fight against a storm in the mountains is mainly a fight against the cold, and from this it follows that the best remedy protection is sufficiently warm and windproof clothing. If it is impossible to continue the movement, a tent will provide an indispensable service; if there is no tent, it is necessary to dig a cave in the snow or in the firn; on the glacier, you can descend into a shallow crack, after checking the reliability of its bottom, you can hide in an ice cave; on the rocks it is best to hide in a niche or lay down a cover of stones. It is necessary at the beginning of the storm to put on the entire supply of warm clothes. On bivouacs, one must stick together, closely clinging to each other, and in no case disperse one by one.
If it is necessary to continue moving in a storm, it is necessary to avoid the crests of the ridges and individual open ledges so as not to be thrown off by a strong gust of wind. The windward side should be avoided, which is better to be preferred to a site that is more difficult, but protected from the wind. Particular attention should be paid to the thoroughness of protection, to the possibility of rockfalls and avalanches. If the climbers went unbound, they should be contacted.
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm usually does not last long, but it may be followed by prolonged rain, snowfall, or a storm. Hail often accompanies a thunderstorm. Thunderstorms are dangerous electrical discharges that can cause death or severe burns. Lightning mainly strikes the most protruding places and primarily tends to the metal.
The closer the climber is to the place of electrical discharges, the greater the danger he is exposed to. Therefore, when a thunderstorm approaches, climbers who are on the ridge, on the gendarme, on a separate ledge, must immediately go down under some kind of cover. All metal things need to be folded away from you, but not below you and not above you, but up to the side. The approximate distance to the place of electric discharges can be calculated as follows: count how many seconds will pass between the appearance of lightning and the roll of thunder, divide the resulting number of seconds by three, and we will get the approximate number of kilometers separating the climber from the place of electric discharges. During a thunderstorm, beware of rockfalls and avalanches.
Fog
First of all, fog has an overwhelming effect on the psyche of a novice climber. With fog, movement on the glacier and on the rocks is hampered by the lack of visibility. It is very difficult to determine the duration of the fog, so it is also difficult to decide which is better:
wait for a clearing in order to continue the ascent, or return, if possible. It is generally not recommended to continue driving in the mountains during fog. In no case should one disperse one by one in different directions in search of a convenient passage or place for a bivouac.
When lost right direction one should not look for a way out and wander uselessly in the fog. Better to bivouac and wait for a clearing. The rocks from the fog get wet and become slippery, and with a subsequent decrease in temperature, they become icy. Therefore, one must be especially careful on rocks, among glacier cracks and on steep slopes. You can only go connected.
When driving in fog, you can only navigate using the map, compass and altimeter. When driving in these conditions, do not rush. On closed glaciers, it is more common to probe the snow with an ice pick. Do not slide down. When returning in the fog, the advance marking (marking) of the path made during the ascent will be of great service.
Any change in the weather is determined quite accurately and in advance by the meteorological service. If there is a meteorological station nearby, you need to find out the weather forecast and, in case of unfavorable data, wait out the approaching bad weather below, so as not to be caught high in the mountains.
Weather changes can be indicated not only by meteorological instruments, but also by various, fairly specific local signs.
mountain rivers
Most mountain hikes involve crossing mountain rivers. Bridges and luggage are on the rivers near settlements, and even then not always, and they are not always safe enough. Usually the climber has to wade across. Mountain rivers can grow significantly from heavy rains, a breakthrough of a dam formed during collapses, etc. The ability to swim in mountain rivers is almost useless; knowledge of the crossing technique is necessary here.
Before entering the mountains, you need to study the methods of crossing: crossing a thin slippery log, horse fording, walking alone and in a group (front, holding the waist), crossing over stones, crossing along a rope (strengthening the rope). Security while crossing mountain rivers is obligatory.
Nightfall
Movement in the mountains at night, as a rule, cannot be recommended. At night it is difficult to navigate, movement becomes slow and uncertain. There is no way to recognize and, therefore, timely avoid danger (steepness of slopes, cliffs, hidden cracks, avalanches, rockfalls, etc.). At night, you can walk with a flashlight and only on the safest terrain and in exceptional cases. The sun
Burns of the skin of the body, face, lips, sunbathing on the way weaken the climber, reduce his ability to work, and sometimes even put him out of action. Overheating can result in heat stroke. Before climbing and during climbing, one should not take sunbaths, one must protect the skin of the face from burns, lubricating it with glacier ointment (washing is not recommended), protect your eyes with smoky glasses. In order to avoid burning the lips, water should be drunk through a rubber tube.
Rockfalls
Diverse atmospheric phenomena are slowly but continuously destroying the mountains. The change from heat to cold promotes the formation of cracks and fissures in the rock. Further penetration and freezing of water, even in very small crevices of rocks, gradually destroys them, separating them from each other and turning the monolithic mass into separate fragments.
Wind, water and a sharp change in temperature further dismember the rocks and throw debris down, forming rockfalls. One small stone that has fallen down can knock down another, which lies unsteadily on a ledge, which, falling, in turn knocks down a third ... a whole hail of stones falls down. Falling stones are caused not only by atmospheric phenomena. Birds, animals and man himself are often the cause of rockfalls. The places of rockfalls are determined by the presence on their slopes and under them of fragments of stones and screes, stone dust and scratches on the rocks. The most dangerous are the couloirs and troughs, the ridges and ridges are less dangerous.
Rockfalls can threaten everywhere - both on moraines, screes and rocks, and on grassy, snowy, firn and ice slopes located near rocks or at least far away, but where there are rocks above. On such slopes, muddy furrows left on the snow and ice by rolled stones testify to rockfalls, here stones that have fallen from above can also lie.
AT good weather most of the stones fall around noon. In bad weather, with rain, storms and thunderstorms, rockfalls can occur at the most unexpected time. If it is necessary to cross areas threatening rockfalls, climbers should go one at a time, carefully observing the places where rockfalls occur.
Rockfalls on the rocks do not go continuously. Early in the morning, when everything is frozen, the stones do not fall. But as the sun rises, light rockfalls begin at first, and at noon, when the sun shines in full force, the rockfalls intensify. By evening, the destructive effect of water decreases, and rockfalls are not so plentiful, but in the first hours of the night, rockfalls increase again, as the cooled stones shrink, move from their place and fly down.
In the event of a rockfall, you must quickly take cover behind a rock ledge or behind a large stone. If this is not possible, then it is necessary, standing still, to observe the flight of a stone and only at the last moment deviate to the side. When small stones are pouring down in a hail, it is necessary to raise a rukzak on your head. A common mistake of novice climbers is that, having seen a stone jumping over ledges from a distance, beginners begin to rush in different directions, turn their backs to a rockfall, protect their heads with their hands (this can only be used in a completely hopeless situation, when, for example, a stone flies straight to the head). On steep screes, in order to avoid rockfalls, you need to go in a wide front or in a closed column as close as possible to each other, and converge all together on turns.
Avalanches
An avalanche is a mass of snow that quickly slides down a mountainside. Snow that falls in the mountains throughout the year does not remain motionless: it slowly, imperceptibly to the eye, slides down under the weight of its own weight or collapses in avalanches and ice avalanches. An avalanche can be caused by a variety of reasons: the movement of climbers, the fall of a collapsed cornice, various atmospheric phenomena.
All types of ice collapses are a very serious danger, which is directly dependent on the size of the collapse. The speed of the ice collapse is many times higher than the speed of the avalanche and approaches the speed of the fall of the stone. The climber is exposed to the greater danger, the closer he is both to the place where the collapse occurred and to the center of its further movement. Ice collapses can occur from the movement of the ice itself, from overloading the ice mass, from thawing and softening of ice, etc. During an icefall, due to softening of ice from heat and imbalance during the movement of the glacier, a seraks or a separate block of ice can fall.
Due to the overload of the eaves hanging on the crest, it can break off and fall down. On an icy slope, a piece of ice can break off from faults, and finally, sometimes, although extremely rarely, entire glaciers and icy mountain slopes collapse.
For example, in 1902, the entire northeastern slope of Mount Dzhimarai-Khokh (Kazbegi region) collapsed.
The ice rolled down 12 km. 36 people died, about 1800 head of cattle. The people's resort Karma-don was littered.
The occurrence of avalanches depends on the amount and condition of snow, on the base on which the snow lies, on various atmospheric conditions, on the impact of external forces on the snow cover (push from a fallen cornice, rockfall, movement of a group of climbers).
The snow mass is kept on the slope by the adhesion force both between the snow layer and the base on which it lies, and the internal adhesion between individual snowflakes. When this connection is broken, avalanches occur. Avalanches can slide everywhere where the steepness of the slope exceeds 20-25°.
Snow is divided into four main types: powdered, fallen at low temperatures or blown downwind; wet, fallen out at high temperature or exposed to it after falling out; packed snow; firn snow. Each type of snow can form an avalanche under the right conditions, but dry, powdery snow is the most dangerous. The speed of movement of avalanches depends on the base soil on which the snow lies, on the steepness of the slope, on the state and size of the snow mass set in motion.
Under equally favorable conditions for avalanches, a powdery, dusty avalanche will move at the highest speed. At the upper end and along its sides, the avalanche moves much more slowly than in the middle.
Avalanches have many varieties, but we will only point out the main ones. The most frequent are avalanches from freshly fallen snow. They are further divided into dry and wet. Due to the insignificant connection of individual snow particles with each other and with their base, the occurrence of dry avalanches is usually sudden, and they can be caused very easily, but especially on a smooth solid base (ice, firn, packed snow). Most often they are in winter.
Wet avalanches form from snow that has fallen at high temperatures, or from snow lying on slopes that are heavily lit by the sun. The subsequent drop in temperature turns the unstable wet snow into a harder snow mass, which reduces or even eliminates the risk of an avalanche.
On the windward side of the slope, powdery, dry snow is covered with a crust under the influence of wind and frost, which has no connection with the snow and only rests on it. Violation of the integrity of this crust causes slumping of the entire snow layer located above the place where the crust breaks, and then a layer avalanche is formed.
If you've ever thought about going down one of the most extreme ski slopes in the world, but haven't yet got the courage to do it, get a feel for what's in store for you by watching a selection of videos made by skiers during such slopes.
The degree of danger and fear at each descent largely depend on the condition of the snow. Even the steepest and scariest ski slope is not so dangerous when covered with a thick layer of fluffy snow.
The 22 km White Valley of Chamonix is the highest and longest off-piste in Europe, a rite of passage for assertive and ambitious skiers on their way to becoming experts. You can get here by cable car Aiguille du Midi (3812 m).
White Valley has a 2800-meter vertical drop and many very real dangers - cracks, seracs, rocks and snow avalanches; only skiers who feel confident on the red slopes, who can control the speed of the descent, apply slippage, maneuver in tight spaces, should try to go this way. It is better to take the descent in small groups, accompanied by a guide who will not only ensure safety, but also show you the most interesting places. All participants must have avalanche beacons, probes and shovels.
There are several options for passing the descent: the usual through the Valley, through the Petit Envers du Plan or the Grand Envers du Plan. The last two are visually more interesting, but have many cracks and a high risk of avalanches. The duration of the descent is 4-6 hours depending on the route. For safety reasons, it is better to start the descent in the morning. Optimal time year - February-March.
In the video, a group of skiers take the cable car up to 3812 meters, pass the narrow ridge of the Aiguille du Midi and ski down the mountain.
2. Corbet Couloir, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA
Named after Barry Corbet, Jackson Hole's ski instructor, Corbet Couloir is recognized as "America's most dangerous ski run." However, the slope itself, which is often covered with fresh snow, is not so terrible. The main thing is to overcome yourself at the very beginning of the descent.
You can get here by the Rendezvous cable car. The entrance to the couloir is about three meters wide with rocky walls on both sides. Skiers must jump off the ledge and fly nine meters down a 50-degree slope below, or jump into a sharp turn, trying to stay away from the cliff.
3. Swiss Wall, Avoriaz
The La Chavanette slope in Avoriaz is known as the "Swiss Wall" - even the name conjures up scary scenes and in itself should warrant a place on the list of "the most dangerous ski slopes in the world." Those who have already worked up the courage to cross it on skis should know that this is one of the steepest slopes in the world - it is so steep that you cannot see what lies ahead.
The lifts on the left side of Avoriaz lead to the Chavanette sector and further to the infamous "Swiss Wall". From Avoriaz you can get here using the Choucas chair. Those who get up early can find fresh snow here, which makes the descent not so dangerous, but by the end of the day the wall turns into a steep mogul ice field (as in the video) - hundreds of meters of dense mounds. To go downhill from turn to turn at a speed other than good physical training You need to have perfect technique. No wonder at the beginning of the descent there is a sign "Only for experts." Once you've passed the first six turns and the rounded ledge, The Wall reveals itself as a steep (55 degree) 200m slope. Derby Chavanette is held here every year in February: the length of the route is 5 km with a vertical drop of 1120 m.
The participant is obliged
Carefully consider the preparation of equipment according to the recommended list. Lack of appropriate clothing and footwear endangers your health and limits the group's opportunities. Make sure your friends prepare for the trip responsibly too. Participants without necessary equipment are not allowed to hike. If you have any questions, please contact us - we will advise, help you buy or rent.
Refuse to drink alcohol during the active part of the route.
Do not smoke near participants who do not smoke.
Follow the instructions of the instructor.
By your actions, do not create situations that may pose a danger to you or others.
Mountain safety rules
1. The movement should not be individual, but group, which will ensure the mutual assistance of the participants on the route.
2. Avoid division of the group and violation of discipline. Any absence is possible only with the permission of the elder.
3. Each group, regardless of its size, should have a well-trained leader with great experience and authority.
4. The pace of movement and stops must correspond to the level of preparedness and capabilities of the participants, the conditions of the terrain and weather. Do not allow unreasonably high speed.
5. Observe the correct mode of exercise, rest, nutrition, drinking regimen, take measures to ensure good thermoregulation of the body.
6. Maintain high discipline and a sense of mutual assistance in the group.
7. Do not allow swimming in mountain lakes, where there is a danger of drowning or catching a cold.
8. Do not shorten the path at the expense of safety (you can get into an avalanche, slip, fall on stones).
9. Avoid moving in bad weather, fog, in the dark, late at night. The main part of the day's transition should be made in the morning hours.
10. Avoid climbing and descending slopes and chutes with loose stones.
11. As already mentioned, do not go at night, except in cases of rescue work, in case of danger of frostbite or for educational purposes.
12. Choose the route taking into account the specific conditions (snow cover structure, the condition of the participants, the weather), always preferring a safe route.
13. Greater maneuverability of the group and its individual members should not be achieved by lightening the equipment or reducing the amount of bivouac equipment and products.
Rice. 12. Steep slopes and especially gutters, strewn with unstable stones, are dangerous when crossing.
14. Do not lose or forget things, so that at one time or another you will not be left without the necessary equipment and equipment.
15. Relentless attention to warning signs in the mountains to avoid getting into an avalanche or collision on the ski slope.
16. Avoid any kind of work in avalanche zones, and if necessary, erect special protective structures or systematically dump accumulated snow using explosions or other methods under the guidance of specialists.
17. When driving in the mountains, do not drink alcohol; this will protect the body from harmful consequences and dangerous behavior.
18. To avoid injuries, do not collect stones in the warehouses of the mountains.
19. Do not overcome difficult sections without sufficient confidence in the strength of the supports and your own strength.
20. Observe the declared deadline for returning from the route. This mobilizes participants and facilitates rescue operations in the event of an accident.
21. We repeat, each participant must know and follow the rules of movement in the mountains.
22. In case of an accident, be able to provide immediate assistance to the victim.
23. Avoid deviating from the planned route and tactics of movement (except in cases of complicating the situation - in order to ensure security, rescue operations, etc.).
24. Carefully follow the signals warning of danger, quickly and accurately execute the appropriate commands.
25. When driving on unstable stones, steep slopes, slippery surfaces, place your feet carefully and correctly, and, if necessary, insure.
26. At the slightest doubt about safety, resort to insurance.
27. If the condition of the group and its equipment deteriorates, retreat in a timely manner to the nearest camp, settlement, hut along the easiest and safest path.
28. If it is impossible to find a hut, skillfully and in a timely manner set up a reliable bivouac, or move along a safe valley to the nearest settlement, or return along a familiar path back. Sometimes the life of the participants depends on it.
29. When moving in severe frost, make short stops for rest, continuously move your fingers, facial muscles, lightly rub the exposed parts of the body, use jumps and other movements. Constantly monitor the appearance of signs of frostbite in comrades.
30. In case of heavy rain or hail, stop in a sheltered place and wait out the bad weather; in case of snowfall, act taking into account the nature of the relief, snow cover and the state of the group.
31. When driving in fog, in order to avoid loss of orientation, falling into an abyss, falling from a snow ledge, falling into an avalanche, increase attention; constantly monitor the marking of the route, check it on the map and compass. In case of danger - wait for the fog to dissipate, use a rope.
32. In case of strong solar radiation, protect eyes and exposed areas of the body from burns.
33. When driving in winter conditions:
a) start the hike in good weather and not earlier than 2-3 days after the snowfall;
b) overcome steep icy slopes without skis, on crampons, cutting steps or arranging railings from ropes;
c) in difficult areas, firmly attach the skis to the backpack so that they do not interfere with movement (hands are freed and stability increases);
d) overcoming snowy ridges and snow-covered rivers to begin after careful reconnaissance, probing the way with an ice ax or ski pole, with mandatory rope insurance from a safe place;
e) when driving on a very steep dangerous slope, keep the ice ax in a position convenient for self-holding, the hand must be in a lanyard;
f) not allow gliding on steep, impenetrable or impenetrable firn or ice slopes with high speed and without preparation in order to avoid falling into the abyss, cracks, wounds on the rocks;
g) Avoid driving on snowdrifts located on steep slopes, as well as sliding on grassy slopes, so as not to slip and hit the rocks;
h) to know that slopes are safer, on which there are a lot of stones and bumps under the snow, and bushes in their lower part.
34. When skiing:
a) do not cut the avalanche slope;
b) do not overcome a steep icy slope;
c) not to allow dangerously high speed, making it impossible to own skis;
Rice. 13. Climbing and descending steep mountain slopes covered with hard firn are comfortable and safe when performed with an ice ax and a rope with increased attention.
d) in fog, do not walk along dangerous cornices, gorges, rocks, unknown places;
e) when skiing down from the mountains, carefully monitor that the skis do not catch on the bushes, do not run into a tree, hidden or open stones, so that the ring of the stick does not hook on a bush or root;
f) during a long descent at low temperatures, protect the face, ears, chest and other parts of the body from frostbite;
g) avoid sharp turns, jumps and ski strikes on avalanche-prone slopes.
35. When resetting avalanches using explosions:
a) be careful when handling explosives;
b) the place where the explosion is supposed to be carried out must have a safe approach; he should not be in danger from an avalanche, whether naturally descended or artificially caused. When choosing such a place, you need to try to correctly outline the path for the fall of the discharged mass of snow;
c) the explosion area must be closed to visitors.
36. With a thunderstorm:
a) go down the ridge;
b) lay down iron objects ten meters from people;
c) do not stand under a single tree, marking posts, on the bank of a reservoir;
d) do not run, but walk slowly;
e) the group should disperse;
f) do not stop at the edge of the forest and on the terrain through which water flows;
g) do not stand near places where there are metal wires;
h) if possible, sit on an insulating material;
i) remember that not every lightning strike is fatal and energetic intervention of the group can prevent misfortune.
37. If necessary, crossing the river:
a) first of all, choose the place and time of the crossing;
b) correctly determine the place and type of insurance, arrange the members of the group, taking into account their experience, strength and growth;
c) have rescue posts during the crossing;
d) be attached to a rope stretched across the river not with the help of a grasping knot, but with a carbine at a distance from the chest of no more than one elbow;
e) in case of a hanging crossing, the main rope must be very strong, while an auxiliary rope should be used, with which, if necessary, the stuck person could be pulled back or forward.
38. In case of misfortune, send at least two of the most trained athletes to help.
39. In an emergency, maintain high morale, strong nerves, composure, confidence, the ability to act correctly and quickly, without panic.
40. In case of any surprise during the movement, correctly and soberly assess the position and condition of the group, notice further actions.
41. When the forces in the fight against the wind, low temperature are exhausted and the participants are not able to mobilize the remnants of physical and mental strength to overcome the path, it is necessary to quickly find shelter and organize a bivouac.
42. A backpack should fit well. The ends of tent racks, teeth of cats and other sharp objects that can injure a comrade walking behind should not stick out of it.
43. Do not allow unauthorized leaving of a marching column or bivouac.
44. Do not cross fast rivers, do not overcome cracks and other obstacles on the route without ensuring the necessary safety.
Mountains live their lives, giving rise to a number of objective dangers for humans.
Stones crumble, glaciers flow and crack, and as a result of their melting, rivers rage, replenished with rain and melted snow. Snow, accumulating on the tops, tends to move down in menacing avalanches. Slopes pose a danger not with a simple relief for a flat person: rocky, scree, firn, snow, ice and even grass.
And climatic conditions, which are also referred to as objective dangers, due to the height, the openness of space.
Coming to the mountains, a person brings subjective risk factors, or the human factor.
The sun.
Sunburn of the skin and eyes. This is another danger that lurks in the mountains, since the proportion of ultraviolet rays in the spectrum sunlight increases due to the absence of sources of mountain air pollution by industrial enterprises and the decrease in the layer of the atmosphere as one rises to the mountains.
Ultraviolet rays are biologically active. Falling on the human skin, they cause the activation of the molecules that make up the living cell. This dramatically increases their activity and ability to react with other molecules of amino acids, proteins and other biological compounds, which disrupts the usual course of metabolic processes. Cells are damaged and biologically active substances are released from them, which act on blood vessels, expanding them. And as a result, the skin turns red.
In addition to sunscreens with a high UV protection factor, visors, a scarf or T-shirt tied around the neck or head, a panama hat or a wide-brimmed hat will play a protective role.
Lips will protect hygienic lipstick. Only apply more often - after 2-3 hours. Dry your lips thoroughly after drinking and do not lick them. Water on the lips plays the role of micro lenses that condense the sun's rays and enhance the damaging effect. And finally, remember that severe sunburn occurs in fog.
An eye burn occurs when you stay without goggles in conditions of active solar radiation for a long time. After 4-6 hours, a person has acute pain in the eyes, tearing, spasm of the eyelids, redness of the eyes. Vision deteriorates. With frequent eye burns, vision can be irreversibly reduced.
Fog.
It often happens even in good weather in the highland zone. Danger - loss of visibility and, hence, difficulty in orientation. The ability of fog to deprive a person of a sense of location is sometimes incredible: you get lost even in a familiar place. Walk carefully in the fog, from object to object. The trodden path improves the position - it speeds up the movement. In the fog you can not disperse to the sides. Be aware that fog increases the risk of severe sunburn to the skin and eyes. 
Rain.
Rain in the mountains brings the following troubles. A heavy downpour can give rise to a mudflow. By making trails and slopes slippery, rain makes walking difficult and increases the risk of injury. Water-soaked clothing does not protect against the cold, and the risk of catching a cold or hypothermia increases. Therefore, when it rains, follow the safety rules in the mountains. Move away from the riverbeds, and move carefully along the slopes and paths. Take waterproof and warm clothes and shoes with you. Better if you bring a raincoat with a hood. Remember the saying: "There is no bad weather - there are bad clothes." 
Thunderstorm.
A thunderstorm poses a threat to people in the high mountain zone. Danger - lightning strikes. During a thunderstorm, do not hide on a hill, near a vertical rock ledge, under a lonely standing trees. Some peaks, due to the geological structure, are struck by lightning more often than others.
When a thunderstorm approaches, you need to leave the ridge, the pass, go down from the protruding rocky ledge. The distance to a thunderstorm can be easily determined by measuring the time from the flash of lightning to the sound of thunder. Multiplying the found seconds by 300, we get the distance in meters to the source of the electric discharge. When a thunderstorm approaches, move metal objects aside, sit on a dry, rocky place, tilt your head and clasp your knees with your hands. If one of the fellow travelers is struck by lightning, it is necessary to immediately approach the victim, examine him and, with symptoms of clinical death, immediately begin resuscitation measures.
Darkness.
Darkness makes obstacles invisible, greatly distorts and hides danger. At night it is difficult and often impossible to navigate, the movement becomes dangerous and slow. It is allowed to move at night only, if absolutely necessary, with a lantern and on a safe terrain and, or along a previously explored route. 
Wild animals.
First of all, the danger in the mountains is bears, ungulates during the mating season, less often wolves, and even then in packs and in winter, even more rarely wild boars. Female animals with cubs are especially dangerous. Do not approach bear cubs, elk calves, wild pigs, deer, wolf cubs 
3. Dangers caused by the wrong actions of people who find themselves in the mountains.
Accidents in the mountains occur due to ignorance and non-compliance with safety rules.
The following also contribute to the emergence of dangers:
Inconsistency of the chosen route with the forces and experience of the group.
Lack of physical and technical readiness participants.
Insufficient experience and authority of the leader.
Lack of discipline, clear distribution of responsibilities, coherence in actions, mutual assistance.
Insufficient knowledge of the route
Wrong or no insurance.
Weakening of attention with fatigue.
Poor quality or lack of equipment, clothing, shoes.
Lack of wealth and, or poor quality of food and medicine.
Remember the phone of the Ministry of Emergency Situations - the Unified Rescue Service - 112 
snowy avalanche, stormy sat down, insidious landslides... All these natural phenomena are associated with mountainous terrain and can pose a significant danger both to people and to their homes, roads, bridges and other objects. What is it?
snow avalanche- This is a mass of snow sliding down the steep slopes of mountains and moving at a speed of up to 30 meters per second. It's almost impossible to run away from her. The greatest destruction is produced not even by the avalanche itself, but by the air wave that "runs" ahead of it. The cause of avalanches may be the intense melting of snow accumulated during the winter, an earthquake and a nearby explosion, causing shaking of the slopes. In Russia, avalanches most often occur in the North Caucasus, the Urals, in the mountains of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. Avalanche-prone places are under the constant control of special services, which from time to time provoke artificial avalanches (warning the population about this), build protective structures and carry out rescue work.
It is curious that such a formidable phenomenon as an avalanche often becomes an inspiration for poets. "... Avalanches are coming one after another, and after the rockfall the rockfall is roaring...", Vladimir Vysotsky sang. And how many lines where avalanches are mentioned in the poems of Yuri Vizbor! Artists can poeticize danger, but in ordinary life it is better to avoid it.
To avoid falling into an avalanche, it is necessary not to go out into the mountains in snowfall and bad weather, to know avalanche-prone slopes (a steepness of more than 30 degrees), not to cross narrow hollows surrounded by steep "sides". The most avalanche-prone period is spring and summer (from 10 am to sunset). If you spot an avalanche high in the mountains, quickly move out of its path to safety or take cover behind a high cliff. If it is impossible to leave, get rid of all things, take a horizontal position (head towards the avalanche), pulling your knees to your stomach, cover your nose and mouth with a mitten, scarf or collar. Once in an avalanche, try to "float" with it, keeping as close to its edge as possible. Try to create space around your chest and face to breathe. Do not shout - it is useless: the snow completely absorbs the sounds, and screams and senseless movements weaken you and deprive you of oxygen. If you were covered by an avalanche, do not despair: save your strength and do not let yourself fall asleep - there have been cases when people were dug out from under an avalanche even 5-10 days after the incident.
What is sel? This is a temporary stream of water, carrying a large amount of clay and rock fragments of various sizes. Such a stream sometimes suddenly arises in riverbeds and mountain hollows. North Caucasus, some regions of Eastern Siberia and the Far East. Mudflows occur after heavy rains, intensive melting of snow and glaciers, as well as after an earthquake or volcanic eruption. The height of a mudflow wave can reach 15-20 meters, and the roar of a stormy stream can be heard for tens of kilometers. Places where mudflows may occur, and the possible time of their formation, as a rule, are known. Mountain rescuers warn tourists and the local population about this danger. In dangerous areas, anti-mudflow dams and dams are being built, the level of mountain lakes is being lowered, and slopes are being strengthened by planting bushes and trees on them. You can escape from the mudflow only if you manage to avoid it. Hearing the sound of an approaching stream, you need to immediately climb the slope to a height of at least 80-100 meters from the bottom of the hollow. If you were hit by a stone thrown out of a mudflow, give yourself first aid, as with any bruise: apply a bandage, ice, and when you return to the village, consult a doctor.
Landslide called the displacement (sliding) of soil along the side of a mountain or the side of a ravine, a steep coast of the sea, lake or river. Landslides happen when water washes away a slope or rocks are too wet. A landslide can be caused by ground shaking caused by an earthquake, explosion, or human activity. A landslide is not always instantaneous: sometimes the earth moves along the slope at a speed of several meters per year, gradually destroying the terrain. Landslides are a threat to houses, pipelines, roads; they can also cause death of people, as happened in the summer of 2005 on one of the "wild" beaches of the Crimea. The study of landslides and the prediction of their occurrence are carried out by scientists and workers of special stations. You, being in danger zone, you can find out about the threat of a landslide by jamming the doors and windows of the building, seepage of water from the slope. If you feel something is wrong, inform the employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and act according to the situation yourself. After a landslide has occurred, do not enter the damaged house without making sure that there is no threat of collapse. Do not turn on the light and gas, check if the gas pipeline and electrical wiring are not damaged.