On a Mountain
Above the tree line
By Charmian Christie
MountainSome of the most spectacular vistas and scenery are located high above the tree line, in locations so remote you'll be following mountain goats instead of well-worn trekking paths. But this secluded beauty is not without its dangers. While Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can send hasty hikers back to ground zero, hypothermia and falls cause the most mountain side deaths. Severe weather, avalanches and contaminated water are other high-altitude challenges.
Weather
Few places on Earth experience the rapid changes in weather of mountains and high-altitude locations. Within minutes, a clear day can turn so foggy you can't see the trail at your feet. When venturing above the tree line, a local weather report isn't just smart, it's mandatory. But it's not a simple matter of tuning in and heading out. You'll have to do some math. Weather reports refer to conditions on the valley floor. To gauge the conditions of your climb, drop the temperature three to five degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet you go up.
Wet conditions are just as likely to give you hypothermia as cold. Unrelenting mountain winds combined with mist or rain can turn 50-degree temperatures into a dangerous hypothermia cocktail. Once chilled, it's hard to get warm again, so dress in waterproof layers.
Avalanches
Every year, avalanches claim the lives of both inexperienced and experienced mountain enthusiasts. Although you can't pinpoint the time and location of an avalanche, weather, snow conditions and terrain can lead you to an educated guess. Heavy rains, rising temperatures and heavy snowfalls dramatically increase chances of an avalanche. The steeper the slope, the greater the chance of a snowy landslide, but any mountainside or ridgeline steeper than 35 degrees is a risk.
Think you might have wandered into avalanche territory by mistake? If you see trees snapped like toothpicks or scattered about en masse, you're in an avalanche zone and should leave immediately. To avoid inadvertently stumbling into danger, make sure you get an Internet avalanche bulletin as well as an up-to-date weather forecast before you head to the slopes.
Water
Don't assume the water on mountain tops is pristine. Despite their crystal-clear appearances, mountain streams and lakes can harbor parasites your body can't handle. More than one unsuspecting hiker has brought back an intestinal souvenir from a climb. If you can't haul a water filter or purifier, boil your drinking water for three minutes to avoid abdominal troubles. Don't have a pot? Dig a hole in the ground for lake water and put a rock from your fire into the hole. Within 20 minutes, most harmful bacteria in the water will be dead.
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