Vorsicht!

Open and closing hours

At nearly every lodging along the Via, breakfast begins at 7:30 or 8 am. As a result, it wasn’t possible to hit the trail as early as we might have liked. (This is quite a contrast from climber’s huts, where climbers typically make an “Alpine start” before sunrise) With a long, steep climb and then a lengthy and tricky descent, it can be very difficult to get below timberline before late afternoon. This poses some risk in the summer, when hot, humid days often generate thunderstorms in the late afternoon. (https://myviaalpina.wordpress.com/)

There are various closing times but in particular Sundays don't expect much to be open https://www.thelocal.ch/20160805/14-mistakes-foreigners-make-on-moving-to-switzerland

Where are you?

Have at least one emergency contact and let them know where you are as often as possible and keep their contact details on you. Give them your itinerary.

TODO: Is there an app to help with this? I know Strava has beacon, there is Glypse or find my friends but how will these work without mobile network?

If it's that much of a worry to you consider a SPOT Gen 3

Things go wrong

So have travel insurance

Thunderstorms

Hot summer days in the Swiss Alps often generate severe thunderstorms in the late afternoons or evenings. Therefore, it’s important to be off the trail (or, at least below timberline) by mid-afternoon.

Get inside vehicle or building if possible. Avoid water and objects that conduct electricity (eg. golf clubs, umbrellas, metal fences). Do not stay in open space or under tall objects (trees, poles).

If no shelter is available crouch down, feet close together with head tucked down. If in a group spread out, keeping people several metres apart.

Avalanches

Generally there should be no risk to hikers especially in the warmer months since the avalanche season is typically from mid-December to March, but always good to check here: http://www.slf.ch/lawinenbulletin/lawinengefahr/index_EN

Rock slides

Most of the Via is quite safe in this regard but there are a couple of section to be aware of; this also depends obviously on exactly which variation of the main route you take or any side trips. Certainly this can be an issue though, 2017 has already seen a few nasty incidents for hikers.

Exposure

2 definitions I would consider for this.

1. Exposure when climbing

2. Exposure to the "elements", eg wind, rain, snow

Altitude

I've experienced altitude sickness before and quickly recognised it's oncoming effects....not very pleasant! This was hiking around the Matterhorn area (I think the Hohlbamen track) getting up over the 2700m altitude. I felt a bit nauseous mainly, the track was hugging a similar altitude most of the highest part but as it crept in altitude I could feel the effects increasing, thankfully then it meandered back down and so quickly I could feel the effects wane away. It was literally a 100m or so making the difference. Certainly the night before I'd had a few beers so that is not going to help at all!!! But at the time I just wanted to get down a bit. I probably should have taken it a bit slower, but again I just wanted to drop altitude.

According to Wikipedia:

"minor symptoms such as breathlessness may occur at altitudes of 1,500 metres (5,000 ft), AMS commonly occurs above 2,400 metres (8,000 ft)"

"Altitude sickness can first occur at 1,500 metres, with the effects becoming severe at extreme altitudes (greater than 5,500 metres)"

"The rate of ascent, altitude attained, amount of physical activity at high altitude, as well as individual susceptibility, are contributing factors to the onset and severity of high-altitude illness.

Altitude sickness usually occurs following a rapid ascent and can usually be prevented by ascending slowly.^[4] In most of these cases, the symptoms are temporary and usually abate as altitude acclimatization occurs. However, in extreme cases, altitude sickness can be fatal."

Military

Infrequent military exercises are conducted out in some of the areas on the trail in summer which can hold up the ability to continue for a short while. (In particular Althaus-Engelberg).

Föhn winds

A dry, warm, down-slope wind that occurs in the lee (downwind side) of a mountain range. They can quickly become very strong and increase the temperature rapidly by more than 10C.

(By en:User:Bariot - en:File:Rainshadow copy.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10279370)

Cows

Yes cows during summer can be protective of their calves, so use caution: https://www.thelocal.ch/20170609/walker-seriously-injured-after-being-attacked-by-swiss-cows

The Swiss advisory service for agricultural accident prevention BUL recommends walkers avoid:

- wearing very bright or garishly coloured clothing

- making loud noises or high-pitched sounds

- taking a dog with you, as dogs are seen as a threat

- looking the cow in the eye and sustained eye contact.

The BUL also offers advice to hikers who find themselves at risk of attack:

- back away slowly but do not avert your gaze

- use a walking stick to defend yourself if attacked

- if you have a dog, let it off the lead. The cow will concentrate on the dog instead of you.

The advisory service says the main piece of advice is to always keep quiet when crossing meadows and to observe the behaviour of the herd.

You should also keep as far away from the animals as possible.

Ticks

About: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/vectors/infographics/Pages/infographic-tick-borne-diseases-in-Europe.aspx

Location map, puts Switzerland as having only a few known risk areas:

http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/vectors/vector-maps/Pages/VBORNET-maps-tick-species.aspx

How to protect yourself

• Use an insect repellent that is effective against ticks.
• Avoid wearing shorts in rural and wooded areas, tuck trousers into socks, or cover all exposed skin with protective clothing (though not always practical in summer).
• Inspect your skin for ticks and remove as soon as possible with fine-tipped tweezers.
• Avoid unpasteurized milk which may also be infected with the TBE virus in endemic regions.

How to remove a tick

Grasp the tick firmly and as close to your skin as possible. In a steady motion, pull the tick's body away directly outwards without jerking or twisting.

Tick-born encephalitis

According to http://www.tickalert.org/content/tbe-countries-1 it is fairly clear in the Via Alpina green track:

There are two high-risk regions, the largest covering the midland, with the exception of the far western part, and the smaller one located in the upper Rhine valley, including the principality of Liechtenstein and a focus of infected ticks on a much-used forest path near the capital Vaduz.

The canton Zürich, with its rivers and lakes for recreation and hiking trails to the foothills of the Swiss Alps, has become the most dangerous region for TBE in Switzerland, followed by Thurgau, St. Gallen, Aargau, and Bern. TBE risk areas are also in the north east and have been found in Neuchâtel in the west.

Lyme disease

The most common symptom of Lyme disease is a rash consisting of red spots, which gradually spreads from the site of the tick bite. Some patients also develop an influenza-like illness.

More serious in the months after infection can be nervous system symptoms including facial palsy (paralysis), viral-type meningitis and nerve inflammation that may lead to pain, disturbance of sensation or clumsiness of movement. Encephalitis (swelling of the brain) is a rare complication. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.

Precautions

Print and laminate a small card to hang around your neck - Army dog tag style, with at least your name, nationality, passport number, date of birth, phone number for next of kin, insurance contact number, policy number, blood type and any medical conditions/regular medication.