The GR20 Corsica. Paddy Dillon
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Название: The GR20 Corsica

Автор: Paddy Dillon

Издательство: Ingram

Жанр: Спорт, фитнес

Серия:

isbn: 9781783623549

isbn:

СКАЧАТЬ special care if snow and ice lingers into the summer. If there is an unusual amount, an ice axe and crampons may be needed. Avoid getting into dangerous situations, as the terrain is unforgiving.

      In June 2015, a serious accident was caused when heavy rain caused a landslide in the Cirque de la Solitude. Seven trekkers were killed and several injured, resulting in the immediate closure and diversion of the route. An accident on this scale is very rare, and with hindsight it could have been avoided altogether. It reinforces the need to check the weather and avoid dangerous conditions. It has been announced that waymarks and protection will have been removed from the Cirque de la Solitude for the 2016 season, and the route now goes over the shoulder of Monte Cinto, described in Stage 4.

      Any trekker suffering a serious fall or injury will have to be rescued. The international distress signal is given on the Mountain Safety page at the front of this guide. The mountain rescue service is generally free, but medical intervention can be costly. Some trekkers believe that insurance policies offered by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Austrian Alpine Club (AAC) are best for routes such as the GR20. It is important, however, to read insurance policies carefully and ask questions if unsure about the level of cover being provided, or if unsure about specific exclusions that render such policies void.

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      In 2016 all chains were stripped from the Cirque de la Solitude, now not part of the GR20 route.

      Getting a message out in an emergency is not always easy. Mobile phones simply don’t work along many parts of the GR20. When the refuges are staffed, most of them have radio contact with the outside world, and there are usually little helipads alongside. If it is possible to get a message out via one of the refuges, then help will be quickly forthcoming. Anyone using a VHF radio can call for assistance on the emergency Canal E, on 161.300 MHz.

      Without a mobile phone signal, it might prove necessary to descend to a road and find a telephone, bearing in mind that delays can be crucial. The appropriate telephone numbers are police (gendarmerie) 17, ambulance (samu) 15, fire service (pompiers) 18, or the European emergency number 112. Any of these services can alert the mountain rescue, or PGHM (Peleton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne). The PGHM can be contacted directly at Corte, tel 04 95 61 13 95. However, try not to get into a situation in the first place where rescue is needed.

      For less urgent health matters there is a pharmacy at Calenzana, and beyond that you would have to leave the GR20 and head for one of the larger villages or towns. If you need any regular medication, take plenty with you, or be prepared to leave the route. If a doctor or a trip to a hospital is required, European citizens should present their European Health Insurance Card, which may help to offset the cost of certain treatments.

      Most trekkers on the GR20 carry far too much equipment. Think very carefully about the gear you plan to carry, and ruthlessly pare it to the bare minimum. The GR20 is a tough, steep and rocky trail that is generally followed in blazing sun, so it is unwise to carry a heavy load, which will sap your energy and slow you down.

      Neither is there any need to carry much food, so long as you don’t mind paying handsomely to buy food that has been carried up to the refuges. There is no need to carry heavy gear when lightweight gear is available. If you book all your overnights in the refuges, you can dispense with almost all other backpacking gear and carry the lightest possible sleeping bag. Nor is there any great need to carry more than one complete change of clothing, since clothes can be washed and dried along the way. Keep your pack light and aim to enjoy the trek!

      ESSENTIALS

       Good footwear – either lightweight boots or shoes, for those absolutely confident about wearing them, or heavier boots if you need them.

       Sock combination – try something like Bridgedales, with a dedicated Coolmax liner sock

       Clothing combination – polyester or polycotton, which is better than all-cotton for comfort, and dries quickly after washing

       Sun protection – those who burn easily should use light-coloured long sleeved/legged clothing and a sun hat

       Sunscreen – the sun can be very strong in the mountains and your skin can be burnt quite easily

       Waterproofs – a lightweight jacket is sufficient; trousers aren’t necessary, but carry them if preferred

       Windproofs – a lightweight jacket is useful, but may be classed as optional, and your waterproof might suffice

       Rucksack – should be big enough to carry everything, and no more, and of course it should be comfortable

       Sleeping bag – a lightweight one is sufficient, as it will never get too cold in the summer months, and one is needed even if staying in refuges

       Tent – a lightweight one; it may not be used all the time and the weather in summer is often good

       Survival bag – just in case it is needed, and maybe for a bit of protection underneath your tent

       Sleeping mat – campsites are usually hard and stony, so use something like a Therm-a-rest mattress

       Water carrier – with a capacity of at least two litres, and preferably with a drinking hose

       Headtorch – there are plenty of tiny, high-power torches to choose from, and take a spare battery

       Wash kit – toothbrush, soap, towel, toilet paper, etc., and maybe a biodegradable travel wash for clothes

       First aid kit – a compact one for the usual cuts, sprains, blisters, burns, breaks, stings, pains, etc

       Money – take enough cash for the duration, as further supplies are only available off-route. Refuges don’t usually take credit cards

       Maps – IGN maps of a scale and quality to see clearly what is happening along the route and off-route

       Ice axe and crampons – essential items if there is any chance of snow or ice cover early or late in the season.

      NON-ESSENTIALS

       Camera – for recording the sights and experiences of this remarkable journey, but keep it lightweight

       Stove and cookset – to cook outside refuges, but fuel may not always be available along the way

       Mobile phone – may be unusable for much of the time, and recharging opportunities are limited

       GPS – sometimes fail to pick up good signals, and recharging opportunities at refuges are limited

       Sunglasses – can be very useful in blazing sunshine, but are ultimately a matter of personal preference

       Trekking poles – can be very useful, especially a pair of them, but are a matter of personal preference

       Shoes/sandals – for comfort while strolling around in the evenings after completing each day’s trek

       Slippers or flip flops – for use inside refuges, where outdoor footwear is banned

       Rope – only for the really insecure on the rocky parts, or if there is any СКАЧАТЬ