Tricks in the Alpine - Episode 1

Traveling and living in the alpine environment can pose many challenges, and often times it is the little tips and tricks that make existing in the alpine more enjoyable. Many of these tips and tricks have been passed down from climber to climber and guide to guide, but some of them are stumbled upon randomly and seem so inconsequential that they often don't get shared.

Well - I would like to change that! In an effort to do so, I'm introducing a new series to this blog, called "Tricks in the Alpine." In each episode, we will attempt to share alpine trickery that you may or may not know already. Please feel free to comment on how you've used these tricks, expanded on them, or look forward to using them!

1. Storing duct tape on your trekking poles is an easy way to keep it handy at all times. Additionally, wrap duct tape a few times around your water bottles, lighters, etc.

2. On chilly alpine mornings when your boots are cold, frozen, or just plain old wet, boil up some water and pour it into a .5L Nalgene bottle. Stick this boiling water bottle in your cold boots. This size fits comfortably inside a boot, and can even be shoved down a bit into the toe box (if your boots are large enough) to warm it all up. This is especially nice when your boots are wet; although you likely won't be able to dry the boots out, at least you can warm it up and your not putting cold feet into cold wet boots. Additionally you can use a hot water bottle to warm gloves, socks, etc.

3. When camping on snow or uneven rocky surfaces, you can provide additional insulation and flatten out your sleeping area by flaking your rope out under your sleeping pad. This can take the place of bringing a second pad, and you can even build up a "pillow" by stacking more rope near your head.

That's it for this episode! Leave us some tips and we will take some photos and post them for the rest of our readers!

--Andrew Yasso

Program Coordinator and Guide