How to safely walk in the mountains

The weather in the mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau can change rapidly. Read the recommendations

The pristine beauty of the mountains attracts and attracts not only seasoned tourists, but also novice amateurs. However, you must remember that the mountains do not forgive mistakes, and the danger of death can lie in wait even on the easiest trails. You must know for sure that your physical fitness, equipment and knowledge of the terrain correspond to the chosen route.

Before hiking: Before you go to the mountains, check the weather forecast, and also warn your family and friends about where you plan to go and tell them the time of return. The mountains of the Trans-Ili Alatau around Almaty belong to the Ile-Alatau National Park, at the entrance to which you can also check the situation in the mountains with rangers and foresters.

Convenient: Most of the mountain routes are digitized and available in the offline navigator 2Gis and ViewRanger. In the search field, you need to enter the name of the location or gorge to see the route thread on the smartphone screen.

Important: If you have received an SMS warning from the Rescue Service with a recommendation to refrain from hiking in the mountains, then you should postpone trekking to another day.

Safety rules when driving in the mountains:

1. If you went alone to the mountains, be sure to tell your loved ones the route.
2. If you went to the mountains with a company, then move as a group and do not split up.
3. Don’t go off the trail.
4. Move at an optimal pace, suitable for the level of training of participants and terrain conditions.
5. Observe the regime of exercise, rest, nutrition, drinking regime, ensure good thermoregulation of the body.
6. Maintain high discipline and a sense of mutual help in the group.
7. Do not shorten the path at the expense of security.
8. In case of heavy rain or hail, wait out the bad weather in a sheltered place.
9. Be sure to protect your skin and eyes from the sun. Take sunscreen, glasses and a hat with you.
10. When driving in the mountains, do not drink alcoholic beverages.
11. Avoid climbing and descending slopes and chutes with loose stones.
12. Dress according to the weather and take with you spare warm clothes and a raincoat.
13. When the weather worsens, go down, not up.
14. Do not make transitions in poor visibility or at night.
15. In winter, it is important to prevent hypothermia.

When selecting equipment, follow the “theory of layers”, and also choose comfortable trekking shoes: The base layer is thermal underwear, which creates comfortable conditions for the body. The middle layer of insulation, retains heat due to the “air cushion”. The top layer actively removes evaporation and protects from wind and water.
Finally: Equip yourself for a hike according to the season and grab spare socks and a hat; – download the GPS track of the route in advance or study it in 2Gis; – check the weather forecast before going out— – leave time for a descent in the mountains in daylight.
Remember: the number of the Rescue Service is 109.