Making a Molehill Out of a Mountain

Along the Sierra Crest near North Lake Tahoe, elevation reaches 10,000 feet and provides winter thrill seekers with myriad forms of adventure.

Freshly powdered slopes are most typically traversed by skiers and snowboarders, but the mountainous terrain also serves as a destination for hikers, snow campers and cross-country skiers looking for a little downhill action.

The beauty of such picturesque surroundings can be intoxicating.

But the terrain can also be deadly.

Bela Vadasz, owner and director of Alpine Skills International--a year-round program that teaches outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy as well as survive on the ridges and summits--knows winter outings can turn tragic because of poor preparation.

Vadasz related two incidents that occurred near the Tahoe Rim:

* A snowboarder with plenty of enthusiasm but evidently little experience reading snow conditions was caught in a small avalanche following heavy snowfall. He was knocked into a tree well and suffocated, his feet still secured to the board.

* A father and son who were cross-country skiing became lost during a storm and were forced to stay out all night. The son made it to safety the next day. The father died.

“Maybe if they would have had more survival skills ingrained in their tour plan, it might have meant [the father] surviving that situation,” Vadasz said.

A mountain guide and alpine-skills instructor for more than 20 years, Vadasz says avoiding trouble and injuries requires proper preparation. Exercise, clothing, equipment and education play vital roles in maintaining safety during cold-weather activities.

Vadasz’s tips on how to prepare for your next winter excursion:

EXERCISE

“It’s good to get aerobic activity up,” Vadasz said.

Walking, hiking and jogging--anything to increase the heart rate and strengthen the legs--is good preparation for most activities.

For skiing, Vadasz recommends skipping rope and roller-blading, which has a similar pattern of movement. Likewise, snowboarders benefit from skateboarding and surfing.

Stair-climbing machines and treadmills also are recommended, and cross-country skiers should seek out a popular brand of exercise machine that perfectly simulates their sport’s arm and leg movements.

“Workouts should concentrate a little bit on the upper body but mostly on the lower body,” Vadasz said.

CLOTHING

Vadasz has a firm rule: no cotton.

“You want to wear clothes that are nonabsorbent,” he said. “You want them to be able to wick moisture away from the body. When cotton gets wet, it robs the body of heat.”

Synthetic materials such as Gore-Tex and lightweight wools are best to build the “magic three” layers of clothing because they dry quickly.

The layer closest to the skin should be able to transfer perspiration to the next layer of clothing. This way, Vadasz said, the skin remains dry and retains body heat.

The second layer is the insulating layer that keeps in warmth. The third layer should be waterproof and breathable, allowing perspiration to pass through but keeping outside moisture from getting in.

“You only have so much body heat,” Vadasz said. “When you get cold and you’re not able to warm yourself up, that’s when you can have problems with hypothermia.”

Footwear should include waterproof boots suited for a particular activity and wool-and-nylon socks. Gloves and headwear also are important, said Vadasz, citing that a person can lose up to 70% of body heat through the head.

“It’s like the old saying: ‘If your feet are cold, put on a hat.’ ”

EQUIPMENT

Participants in Vadasz’s training program are given lists of proper clothing and basic equipment that are required when they arrive. He also conducts “product presentations” to familiarize the uninitiated with different lines of equipment, such as skis and poles.

Selecting a particular brand or style of merchandise is a personal decision, but Vadasz emphasizes everyone should be prepared for emergencies by having a general knowledge of survival equipment.

In snow storms, for example, sight navigation can be rendered impossible, necessitating the use of a map and compass. An altimeter can also come in handy.

Back-country skiers and hikers should be prepared to spend an unexpected night out. In those circumstances, use of a snow shovel to dig a shelter and having extra food and water can prove invaluable.

Snow campers would be wise to pack a small stove to warm liquids that keep the body from losing energy in the cold.

“You need basic winter survival skills as a backup at all times,” Vadasz said.

EDUCATION

Vadasz said winter conditions in California’s mountain regions are more predicable than in other parts of the country but, because of it, there might be a lower awareness of alpine skills among the general public.

The rise in popularity of snowboarding in recent years has resulted in more people traversing prime avalanche terrain without training in reading snow conditions, he said.

“There’s a need to teach snowboarders mountaineering courses,” Vadasz said. “They can get on steep, 35-degree slopes right away because it’s an easier sport to learn than something like skiing.

“Some snowboarders get a euphoric feeling and let their guard down. They can attain a higher level of skill in a shorter time than cross-country skiers, who have had more time to adapt to elements and learn mountain savvy.”

Eskimos have more than 100 names for snow conditions, which change constantly because of melting, freezing and storms. The ability to forecast and identify hazards can be a life-saver.

“One day you can cross a slope that is completely solid and safe, and the next day you could cause an avalanche,” Vadasz said.

Experience also makes a difference in winter hiking. When the ground becomes covered in snow, trails lose their distinct features, making it easier to become disoriented and lose one’s way.

“You need to be aware of the weather and you need to have some basic navigation skills,” Vadasz said.

Vadasz’s final word of advice: Be prepared for anything.

“Come with an open mind and be ready for adventure,” he said. “Be ready to feel sensations you’re not expecting. You’ll adapt to things a lot better that way.”

Alpine Skills International is located in Norden, Calif., and offers lodging and training in various winter activities. Information: (916) 426-9108.

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‘Tis the season to stay active. Special Section coming Friday.