Photos: Pietro Bagnara
By: Lisa Misconel
Ortovox: a safety & awareness class
Two days together with mountain guides and rescue specialists for a meeting made of knowledge, responsibility and sense of belonging
As the father of avalanches André Roch, used to say, “Be careful, that the avalanche doesn’t know you’re an expert.”
It’s December and the solstice is about to mark the beginning of winter, even though mountains in Trentino have been wearing their white dress for some time now.
We travelled to Passo del Tonale for two days of insights, stories and safety experiences hosted by Ortovox. The brand’s ambassadors will also be there, those who live the mountain every day from the most intimate and professional perspective: guides and rescue specialists from all over northern Italy.
A story about wool and responsibility
Ortovox was founded in 1980 with a special commitment to safety that continues to this day. The company’s focus points are mainly three: safety, sustainability and the element of wool. First, safety; a commitment that goes beyond the basic production of equipment but wants to share knowledge and awareness so that safety can be assured by the quality of the equipment together with a conscious user.
The theme of sustainability is followed by 7 specialists within the company so that nothing is left to chance and responsible choices and actions can me made. The impact of each product is calculated and Ortovox aims to reach zero in the near future.
Finally, the element of wool, which has been in the brand’s garments since 1988. A material subject to the Ortovox Wool Promise, which makes no compromises and puts quality and responsibility first. Fair compensation is guaranteed to suppliers who must ensure certain standards regarding the sheeps’ quality of life.
Tales and teachings from the masters of high altitude
Many are the speeches by men whose eyes have seen the mountains in situations of joy but also pain. It’s good to see the sense of belonging that binds these professionals, and the passion that is ignited at the memory of good old “off-piste” sessions before the mass even started talking about freeriding. These are the words of masters such as Piergiorgio Vidi, Michele Cucchi, and Maurizio Zappa who, to our great honor, will accompany us in the following day’s field activity.
A clear day with little wind, mild with temperatures that were feared to be extremely cold. An introduction to the activity was followed by a short talk on the importance of assessing an outing, of paying attention to details such as device battery, and checking equipment. An extra pair of gloves can prove as much a lifesaver as a dead artva becomes fatal. Once at altitude it’s drill time: a scenario has been prepared and four volunteers will have to set out to perform a search and rescue. Guided by the expert voice of Maurizio Zappa, historical Instructor of Mountain Guides and Mountain Rescue, the search begins via the Ortovox Diract Voice device: easy and intuitive to ensure an effective search even for less experienced climbers. Once the time to probe has come, the special pocket intended for first aid equipment found in Ortovox backpacks and specifically, in the Tour Rider 30 model we tested, proves essential.
It’s time for Gianluca Tognoni, nivologist and weather forecaster for the Autonomous Province of Trento, who, after digging deep, will analyze the different snow layers that are spokespeople for the snow history of recent snowfalls. Locating the weak layer, noting its peculiarities and analyzing the snow crystals under the microscope, and then concluding with direct assessment of stability by stressing the snowpack.
It is a day of true enrichment where one can really feel the essence and importance of moving in the mountains in a conscious way. A passion and a mission that is carried out and shared by these professionals who are supported and incentivized by a company that wants to make a difference and works on a practical level to ensure that the intentions are put into practice.
