Learn essential mountain safety: common risks, preparation, gear, weather checks, and when to call for help. Practical hiking tips for 2024 to reduce accidents.
Every year, thousands of people head into the mountains—some chase records, others go for the views or simply to switch off. Yet behind those ridgelines and clean air lurks real danger. In 2024, in Slovenia alone, 37 people lost their lives. And that happened even as the total number of rescue operations there fell. It hardly looks like a paradox: more people are venturing into the hills, but not everyone brings the skills they need. Meanwhile, weather and terrain have become far more capricious than they used to be.
Fresh figures show that nearly half of mountain accidents stem from falls. Next come various health issues, followed by bad weather and avalanches. The weather, in particular, keeps people on their toes: sunshine in the morning and a burst of snow by midday has become a familiar pattern—even in summer.
Mountains are risky not only because it’s cold, slippery, or steep. Trouble often starts with fatigue, dehydration, or a simple miscalculation of one’s strength. People get lost, suffer injuries, or lose contact with the group. Sometimes it’s as basic as leaving behind a map, a compass, or extra food.
Preparation is the foundation—rescuers say it time and again. Before setting out, map your route, identify the difficult sections, and understand how to reach them. Check the forecast in advance and sketch a backup plan in case things change. And always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Basic training helps: learn to navigate and provide first aid. It isn’t complicated, but it can save a life. Dress for the conditions and pack the essentials—from a flashlight and first-aid kit to food, water, and warm layers. Heading out alone is a poor choice; experienced hikers tend to travel in groups.
Sometimes plans unravel. Someone slips, faints, or gets lost. In those moments, staying calm matters. Rescuers advise first assessing the scene: is it safe to remain here? Do others face immediate danger? Then provide help, shield the injured from the cold, and consider whether you can call for assistance.
When there’s no cell signal, dedicated satellite beacons step in. They transmit a distress call even far from civilization—and they’ve already saved lives.
There are situations where help takes time to arrive. Then you need the skills to move yourself out of harm’s way—climbing out of a snow hole, staying warm with whatever you have, or setting up for the night. But judgment is crucial: sometimes the smartest decision is to stay put and wait for rescuers.
Despite modern tools and growing awareness, people continue to die in the mountains—often because the route proved tougher than expected or their abilities were overestimated. There is a brighter side: more people are taking preparation seriously, and the overall number of incidents is declining.
Today’s hikers have plenty of helpers: weather apps, navigation tools, satellite trackers, even drones. Gear has become more reliable too, tested to international standards. All of that lowers risk, but it doesn’t erase it. Attentiveness and thoughtful choices still make the difference.
In the mountains, mistakes carry a price. They don’t reward haste, bravado, or carelessness. To stay out of trouble, prepare early: plan your route, take the right kit, learn the basics, and avoid terrain that may be beyond your limits. Safety isn’t only a helmet and a map—it’s also the willingness to turn back when things start to go wrong.