Do check the weather forecast where possible – hut guardians are in the know. For Piedmont log onto www.regione.piemonte.it (click on ‘meteo’), otherwise 0171 66323 or 011 3185555. Be prepared to take a rest day or modify your itinerary if the conditions so dictate. Adverse conditions such as thick mist, icy rain or snow can transform even an easy Grade 1 path into a problem-fraught route. Should you be caught out in a storm, keep warm but stay away from metallic fixtures, dispose of your trekking poles for the time being, and avoid rock overhangs or prominent trees for shelter as they tend to attract lightning. Lying flat on the ground or curling up in a ball is usually recommended.
Do sign the register at the refuges and include your next day’s destination; the information could be essential in case of a rescue operation.
Don’t expect refuge staff to expend energy and resources on waste; take any rubbish to villages and towns where it can be disposed of appropriately.
Be considerate when making a toilet stop. Keep away from watercourses, don’t leave unsightly paper lying around and remember that derelict buildings and rock overhangs could serve as a life-saving shelter for someone else.
Emergencies
‘Help’ is aiuto (pronounced eye-yoo-toh) and Ho bisogno di aiuto means ‘I need help’. Experienced staff at refuges can be relied on for help whenever necessary.
It is essential for all walkers to have some sort of insurance. Members of the European Union – with the addition of Australia – need the E111 form (usually available at post offices, although this system is due to change at the end of 2005); this ensures health cover and hospital care. All other nationals need separate insurance. It’s also a good idea for everyone to take out an additional policy for mountain activities and rescue operations, as these can be costly. Members of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and the many affiliated groups with reciprocity agreements are automatically insured in case of accident. Residents of Britain can join the UK branch of the Austrian Alpine Club www.aacuk.uk.com
Getting assistance
A mobile phone can be extremely useful for alerting emergency services. Reception is not guaranteed in many alpine regions, though high passes tend to have a better signal than deep valleys. An old-fashioned whistle (or torch after dark) may be the best option. Use the internationally recognised signals: the call for help is SIX visual or audible signals per minute, to be repeated after a minute’s pause. The answer is THREE visual or audible signals per minute, to be repeated after a minute’s pause. Anyone hearing a call for help must contact the nearest refuge or police station as soon as possible.
When communicating with the rescue service, be prepared to provide the following information: your name, where you are, the nature of the accident, how many people need help and what type of injuries, exact location – altitude, landmarks, atmospheric conditions, any obstacles for the helicopter (eg overhead cables).
Waymarking and Maps
A good part of the GTA route is signed with official red/white waymarking – usually painted stripes on rocks or prominent landmarks, if not signposts. However, lengthy stretches are not, and local numbering is sporadically referred to, where present. It varies wildly.
Village fountains are common
Note At the time of writing a new waymarking campaign was being launched in the Province of Cuneo, accounting for the substantial initial section of the GTA. Consequently there may be the odd small discrepancy between the route description and the situation on the ground. Differences may also crop up due to the reintroduction of appellations in local dialects. A good rule is to trust waymarks rather than putting your faith in the map.
Special GTA waymarking
Local waymarks
As cartography goes an excellent general road map is the 1:200,000 Touring Club Italiano Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta. Walkers should have the detailed individual walking maps covering the stages they intend to trek. The simplified sketch maps provided in this guide are only intended to give the route and major landmarks. A commercial 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 map showing contour lines, landscape features, settlements, minor roads and mountain huts is priceless in case of bad weather, problems with orientation and exit routes (not to mention identification of far-off landmarks, a great source of satisfaction). The IGC, Istituto Geografico Centrale, is the main mapmaker for Piedmont – unfortunately unremarkable for accuracy, updating and graphics. Their 1:50,000 series have been used as the principal references for this guide. However, the initial stages for the GTA are also covered by excellent 1:25,000 maps by Blu Edizioni (www.bluedizioni.it). Lastly, several sheets of the new and exorbitantly priced ‘Alps sans Frontière’ 1:25,000 series can be used.
The IGC maps are available at leading map stores and outdoor suppliers in the UK, USA and Australia. Italian booksellers also do online orders: Libreria La Montagna, Turin www.librerialamontagna.it. Otherwise you can purchase them in local bookstores, newspaper stands and Park Visitor Centres once you’ve arrived. The Italian for ‘walking map’ is carta dei sentieri or carta escursionistica.
Recommended maps
Stages 1–8 IGC ‘Alpi Marittime e Liguri’ 1:50,000 sheet 8
Stages 1–2 Blu Edizioni ‘Alpi Liguri, Parco Naturale Alta Valle Pesio e Tanaro’ 1:25,000, cartoguida 2
Stages 3–8 Blu Edizioni ‘Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime’ 1:25,000, cartoguida 1
Stages 9–14 IGC ‘Valli Maira Grana Stura’ 1:50,000 sheet 7
Stages 14–19 IGC ‘Monviso’ 1:50,000 sheet 6
Stages 19–24 IGC ‘Valli di Susa, Chisone e Germanasca’ 1:50,000 sheet 1
Stages 24–28 IGC ‘Valli di Lanzo e Moncenisio’ 1:50,000 sheet 2
Stages 29–33 IGC ‘Il Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso’ 1:50,000 sheet 3
Stages 33–41 IGC ‘Ivrea, Biella, Bassa Valle d’Aosta’ 1:50,000 sheet 9
Stages 41–46 IGC ‘Monte Rosa, Alagna e Macugnaga’ 1:50,000 sheet 10
What to Take
The right gear is essential for a perfect walking holiday. A check list with suggestions follows:
Sturdy walking