Mountaineering Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance in Europe and Worldwide for trips where you will be participating in Mountaineering.

To get a quote, please call us on 0844 848 1500 or Email: chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

Mountaineering:

Mountaineering is the term to describe the sport or hobby of walking, hiking, scrambling or climbing mountains using various types of equipment.

Mountaineering used to be the attempt to reach the highest point of a mountain but has now become an activity that addresses different types of climbing depending on whether the route is over rock, snow or ice.

Mountaineering is not without its risks, particularly when done at high altitude, there are natural risks such as rock fall, avalanches, adverse weather conditions, equipment failure and fatigue

There are three types of mountaineering depending on whether you are travelling over rock, snow or ice. These are:

• Rock Craft
• Snow Craft
• Skiing

Popular mountain ranges include:

• Andes, South America
• Rockys, United States/ Canada
• Himalaya, Asia
• Sierra Madre, Mexico
• Alps, Europe
• Appenines, Italy
• Brecon Beacons, Wales
• Cantabrian, Spain
• Basque, Spain
• Pennines, England
• Pyrenees, Spain/France/Andorra
• Appalachian, USA
• Big Horn, USA
• Ozark, USA

Risks associated with mountain climbing are divided into two categories: objective hazards and subjective hazards.

Objective hazards are those that exist regardless of the climber's presence, such as bad weather, avalanches and rockfalls.

Subjective hazards relate more to human failure - such as faulty equipment, ineffective safety procedures and poor planning.

Experienced mountaineers will have planned safe routes and checked their equipment beforehand.

Furrows left by falling rocks and weather conditions that are conducive to ice movement will be easier to spot for an experienced mountaineer.

If you are planning on mountaineering for the first time, it is a good idea to train beforehand on a climbing wall and then on less treacherous terrain.

Because of the rigorous nature of mountaineering, injuries that can be sustained range from muscle strain to broken bones and even death.

The most common injuries include:

• Blisters
• Black toenails
• Strains
• Sprains
• Stress Fractures

Avalanches are also a hazard and the most dangerous types are:

• Slab avalanche
• Loose snow avalanche

There is a 50/50 chance of survival if caught in an avalanche, and if buried under one then the first few minutes are crucial to ensuring survival.

When skiing off piste, equipment you should take includes:

• Avalanche Beacon
• Probe
• Shovel

Crevasses are cracks in a glacier that are extremely dangerous due to their depth and the fact that they are often covered with snow.

If you are glacier walking then you should always sound out with the pole of an ice-axe, and all members of your party should attach yourselves with rope to avoid falling.

High altitudes can of course induce altitude sickness. Symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Aching muscles

If these signs are exhibited then rest straight away before attempting to climb to a slightly lower altitude.

Altitude sickness may in some cases progress to High Altitude Cerebral Edema or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. Both of these can be fatal within 24 hours.

Useful Websites: Adventure Sports - Team Ascent - ABC of Mountaineering - Adventures to the Edge - On Top - International School of Mountaineering

To get a quote, please call us on 0844 848 1500 or Email: chris@jsinsurance.co.uk

This Travel Insurance is provided by JS Insurance and the insurance has been arrange through Ancile Insurance Group Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority - No 471641, with Mapfre Assistance