Trails : useful information

Introduction

This collection of trails follows the instincts of its author. It is a personal approach to the ‘beautiful’, with a vision of trail running based on a certain notion of fluidity and elegance in mountain running, both physical and mental. As a runner, we brush up against the environment we cross while at the same time immersing ourselves in it. Our passage must leave few marks and must not disturb the ecosystem that welcomes us; we must respect it; we are invited to do so. These are extraordinary discoveries and a fair return to our deepest humanity, which can only be achieved with our feet on the ground and our heads in the stars.

Trail running is now a fashionable term, attracting the same crowds as the first mountain races in the 1970s. Noël Tamini, in La course de Longue Vie (N. Tamini, 1990), had this vision of ‘airing the mind and purifying the body’, knowing that ‘running is the most important of secondary things’.

The routes proposed here are based on the banner of ‘one loop, one trail, one summit’. From a certain point of view, this is reductive, given the infinite possibilities of our paths, and it is also tinged with a certain idea of performance, with the summit still to be ticked off. But the importance of the race lies not so much in the words used, the equipment or the time taken, as in the action and energy it takes to embark on the adventure and come back. Of course, these words are the driving force that triggers the desire. And the desire results from the love for the discipline in the first instance, and perhaps above all from the call for freedom that it underpins. But then you have to expect to climb our mountains hard and accept the sometimes difficult rules. That’s the law of gravity. So may these summit races be the start of a long series of small pleasures, the kind that bring joy to the heart! That’s my wish for all of you, a kind of vital flight.

This book could be aimed at experienced mountain runners, or at hiking enthusiasts who like to take on steep paths without fearing the constraints. But while safety remains paramount in a difficult environment, experience comes with practice. Admittedly, the routes are still demanding, but they are not unattainable for those who regularly tackle asphalt or take part in organised races. These routes should enable you to take responsibility and take the first step towards a feeling of freedom. At the end of the day, it’s all about common sense and living life to the full. In every way possible, we are appealing to the interests of people who are used to living in an alpine environment and who dream of the third dimension, that of the summits.

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Course qualification

The information provided by Trails au sommet is that of a runner with a few years’ experience behind him. This information is never absolute and exempts its author and publisher from all consequences associated with this type of activity. Each participant must assume the responsibilities of mountain trail running. But the intention of this book is to guide and help with as much meaningful information as possible. This information is extracted mainly from Swiss topographical maps and from the ‘field’ feedback provided for each route. To this end, the routes are classified by difficulty category T3 or T4, according to the official Swiss Alpine Club ratings.

T3 corresponds to a difficult mountain hike. You’ll need to be very sure-footed, have average orienteering skills and have some basic mountain experience. Some sections are exposed, with the risk of falling, rocky terrain and unstable slopes without paths. If waymarked: white-red-white.
T4 takes you on routes that are sometimes pathless, and you may need to use your hands. The terrain is fairly exposed with grassy or unstable slopes. You should be familiar with exposed terrain and have good terrain assessment and orientation skills, as well as alpine experience. It is possible to cross névés.

Another criterion for the trails on offer is the notion of effort-kilometre, known as ‘effort-km’. 1 km on the flat is equivalent to 100 m of ascent or 300 m of descent. The total effort-kilometre is the sum of the kilometres of the course and the kilometres of converted gradients. The routes on offer are in the XS and S trails range (French ratings), i.e. between 25 and 75 effort-kilometres. There will be no ultra-trails, because that would be a different setting, a different goal and a different audience.

There is a third important concept: time. No route is marked with a time reference, as this depends on a number of objective or subjective factors, some of which are beyond our control (the shape of the day, the number of participants, the terrain, the weather, etc.). However, the effort-kilometres should allow everyone to see how they measure up.

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Equipment

Before setting off, it’s a good idea to make sure you have the right equipment for each outing. This will obviously depend on the weather conditions and even the season. Trail running is, by its very nature, a high-risk, self-sufficient activity.

As far as the clothing you take with you is concerned, you should generally wear clothes suited to the discipline. Don’t forget a hat, goggles and a good pair of gloves. A waterproof windbreaker goes without saying.

When it comes to food, there’s a lot to consider, and everyone needs to get to know each other and test themselves. There are no miracle recipes. However, we do recommend a thermos flask, summer and winter alike.

As far as technical equipment is concerned, your habits will dictate your choices. However, we expressly recommend poles or small crampons depending on the author’s experience, the route or the terrain conditions. It’s up to you to assess the consequences of the day’s weather.

For orientation, trust only paper maps. Mobile phones can easily be lost or dropped, so it’s best to use them for emergency purposes. An altimeter is essential, as is a compass. But a race is only successful if it has been prepared in advance, taking into account the terrain, the weather and the participants (3×3 method). Beware of the spelling of certain places, which may differ from the designations found in the field (for historical or even ethnic reasons).

First-aid equipment should include a small pharmacy with something to relieve severe pain quickly and dressings to prevent haemorrhaging. A splint, such as the SAM-Splint, is also a plus. Of course, you’ll also need communications equipment such as a mobile phone and a radio, bearing in mind that mobile phones don’t work everywhere. A whistle and a headlamp (with spare batteries) are also excellent spotting aids. Not neglecting these aspects saves lives. The Alpine Clubs run a plethora of safety courses every year, so make sure you attend them.

Fauna and flora

Trail running is a sport involving long-distance running in a natural environment, in forests, on plains or in the mountains on uneven paths. Many different environments are crossed, and the impact on flora and fauna must be kept to a minimum. Certain tranquillity zones (which protect wildlife from disturbance caused by leisure activities) or wildlife protection zones (conservation of certain species and their biotopes) recommend staying on the paths. We’ll stick to these recommendations, which preserve ecosystems without restricting our activities. Thank you for the spirit. Caution is always called for, and encounters with wild animals are often special moments. Some encounters, with herding dogs for example, can be more delicate and often require a diversion, as do unmown meadows. All the rubbish will go into the bins, and our impact will be minimal.

Great adventures!