However, before embarking on any activity or route - whether in the mountains or on the coast - and whatever the level of difficulty, you should bear in mind a series of guidelines to follow to guarantee a pleasant journey and a happy ending.
Recommendations for mountain and coastal activities
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Any activity in nature requires planning, where it is essential to determine the route, the distance, the slope and the estimated time of duration. It is therefore very important to make sure that the route has not recently undergone any major alterations.
Always carry the route information in analogue format (i.e. a paper map), and also a compass, in case you lose your mobile phone or have no reception. Remember that without coverage you cannot download any application or send your geolocation in case you get disoriented. You will only be able to call 112, the emergency telephone number.
Always carry a charged mobile phone and, if possible, auxiliary batteries. Also, download applications on your mobile phone that guarantee your safety when it comes to geolocating yourself and learn how to send your location, in case of an emergency.
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Don't trust just any track you find on the internet.
Avoid taking selfies with your mobile phone in areas with risky terrain, e.g. near cliffs or on slippery surfaces.
It is essential to know the weather forecast, especially if the activity you are going to do is in the mountains or on the coast/beach.
Carry water (at least one litre) or an energy drink, food and a small first aid kit (including sun protection).
Adapt the planned activity and the pace of the activity to your physical and mental condition, and if you go in company, to that of the person with less stamina.
Manage your energy and that of the rest of the group wisely to ensure a smooth and safe return. Never become exhausted. Hydrate frequently and eat something to eat.
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Inform family, friends and/or professionals of the natural area (if you are in a National or Natural Park) of the planned plan and the estimated time of return. And if possible, always go accompanied. Moreover, if you do not usually do nature activities or do not know the area, it is advisable to be accompanied by a professional guide.
Control the light cycles, and make sure that it doesn't get dark in risky areas or areas you don't know. You should always carry a headlamp or torch in your rucksack.
Wear suitable clothing for the activity you are going to do, the conditions of the terrain and the time of year, and even if it is hot, pack a fleece or thermal garment in your backpack. You always sweat during physical activity and it is advisable to protect your respiratory system and kidneys when you stop for a break.
If the weather turns bad, stop walking and find a safe place (especially in the case of storms in the high mountains or on the coast).
Keep in mind that the same activity or route increases its level of difficulty and therefore its risk with the "orbayu" (fine and persistent rain), fog, rain, hail, snow or ice. Therefore, winter routes require even more care and attention.
On coastal routes, as in the mountains, plan your route well and avoid going alone. Pay close attention to cliffs and cliff-risk areas, especially if you are with children and/or pets, and carry a tide table or have it downloaded to your mobile device, to avoid unnecessary risks such as getting stranded and being cut off by the tide, at the mercy of sea conditions.
If you take a bath...
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Whether on the beach, in the river, or in a lake
Respect digestion, and always enter the water slowly, wetting your joints and the back of your neck, before you dive in completely, to avoid hydrocution syndrome. Also watch out for heat stroke.
Make sure you are not alone and tell people nearby where you are going to bathe.
Bathe in designated bathing areas and abide by the prohibitions (whether on beaches, rivers or lakes). Avoid areas with cliffs or difficult access.
Always check the state of the sea and consult the weather forecast.
In the event of a storm...
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Keep in mind that lightning likes the highest points, anything that sticks out of the ground (isolated trees, people on flat or open ground, draughts, metallic or conductive objects (ice axes, keys, carabiners, metal gates, etc.), electrical appliances, and water (seas, rivers or lakes).
and there are two important rules:
The first is the 30-second rule: count the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder. If less than thirty seconds pass, you are at risk of being struck by lightning. Seek shelter immediately.
The second is the 30-minute rule: After hearing the last clap of thunder, wait 30 minutes before leaving the shelter. Most serious incidents or fatalities in thunderstorms occur after the storm. Stay in a sheltered location until you are sure that the threat no longer exists.
Decalogue of responsible practices in the rural and natural environment
And, furthermore, bear in mind that nature is everyone's home. Respecting and caring for the natural environment, without it being altered by your presence, is key for Asturias to continue to be the Natural Paradise that defines its essence.
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So:
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Do not abandon or bury rubbish. Take it to where there is a collection service. And be careful with fire. Never light bonfires. The safest option is to take prepared food with you.
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Respect and care for springs, rivers and other water resources. Water is an essential, universal and often scarce resource. Do not pour soaps, detergents, pollutants or waste into them.
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Remember that nature is not a workshop, nor is it equipped as such. Therefore, any manipulation or process on mechanical traction vehicles (oil changes, washing, etc.) cannot be carried out in the middle of nature, due to the consequent risk of environmental pollution.
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Do not go camping. Use the sites prepared for it. Setting up a tent damages the terrain. Always respect the meadows where you camp, and do not destroy the ground by digging trenches or holes.
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Remember that flora and fauna are the real inhabitants of nature, and this is their home. So don't pull up flowers or branches, or disturb the wildlife. Learn to observe and respect. And don't forget that many of them are protected by law.
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Use motor vehicles as little as possible. Use them only for road travel, and if you have to drive on tracks, drive slowly, without leaving them and making as little noise as possible. Noise pollution is also harmful to the natural environment.
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Whenever you go on a route or any other activity, keep the environment as you find it: leave the paths or gates exactly the same, and respect private property. Not everything in nature is a common good. By doing so, you safeguard the habits of the animals, and also of the livestock farmers and shepherds, and in general of all those people who live in and from the natural environment.
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Respect the farmland, always crossing the paths without stepping on the crops. Crops are the livelihood of many families and are essential for the supply of society. Also, do not take shortcuts on your own, which only serve to deteriorate the soil or make the original path disappear.
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Remember that if you go with your pet, it must be tied up so that it does not disturb or frighten livestock or other animals, or other hikers.
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If you are accompanying one or more people with disabilities, look for accessible trails or easily accessible places, and be aware of them at all times, complying with all the required safety and environmental guidelines. The same applies if you are accompanied by small children.
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