About the Mountain Code
The Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene, or “rules of mountain knowledge”) were first formulated after a series of accidents and fatalities in the Easter of 1950. After another accident in the Easter in 1967, the Norwegian Tourist Association and the Red Cross launched the campaign Velkommen til fjells, men ta ansvaret selv – “welcome to the mountains, but take responsibility for yourself.” Today, the Mountain Code has become a part of Norwegian cultural heritage. Much has changed since the ‘50s. We use our landscape differently; our gear has evolved; our knowledge has changed. In this light, the Red Cross and DNT revised the Mountain Code in 2016. The updated rules, adapted to all seasons, are a good guide to both planning and carrying out short and long trips. Being mountain-wise isn’t a question of knowing what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s about having a conscious relationship with nature; the choices you make; the actions you take. The mountain code, today, is a learning circle – from planning, to meeting the others in your party, to the current conditions, to adapting your plans according to what greets you out in the wilds. It’s a question of reflection.The Red Cross
Over the last ten years, the Norwegian Red Cross Search and Rescue Corps has seen a threefold increase in action, from 350 in 2005 to nearly 1,000 actions in 2015. “The threshold for seeking assistance is lower than it was. But people have become more extreme; they are looking for more experiences, and go on tougher terrain, says Åsne Havnelid, General Secretary of the Norwegian Red Cross.The Red Cross also sees an increase in the number of resuces.
“It’s mostly hikers who are poorly equipped, who run out of energy, or are surprised by darkness or storms. We also see that rescue missions are becoming more demanding in some places. Take Trolltunga, for example: last year there were 22 actions there, compared to four the year before. This development shows that we need to spread knowledge about navigating the mountains safe and securely – which is where the new Mountain Code comes in”. Kilder: Den Norske Turistforening
Being mountain-wise isn’t a question of knowing what you should and shouldn’t do. It’s about having a conscious relationship with nature; the choices you make; the actions you take. The mountain code, today, is a learning circle – from planning, to meeting the others in your party, to the current conditions, to adapting your plans according to what greets you out in the wilds. It’s a question of reflection.
Røde Kors og Den Norske TuristforeningThe Mountain Code
1. – Plan your trip and inform others about the route you have selected.
- Plan your trip based on the group’s abilities, and always include alternative options.
- Obtain current information about the area and the weather conditions. Listen to the advice of seasoned mountaineers where possible.
- Ensure you have sufficient knowledge and practical skills to complete the trip.
- Respect the natural environment. Plan ahead and don’t leave any litter.
- Arrange meeting points during the trip that don’t require mobile coverage or accurate timing.
2. – Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
- Assess the conditions continuously and adjust your plans accordingly.
- Respect the weather!
- Travelling with others is safer and means you’ll have someone to share your experiences with. If you’re travelling alone, exercise caution.
- Do not embark on a long trip without sufficient experience. You must be able to take care of yourself as well as the others in your group.
- Be considerate of other hikers.
- Make sure you understand The Right to Roam and its requirements. Make sure your group has lines of communication at all times.
3. – Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
- Always check the weather forecast and avalanche warnings to see what impact they have on the area. Follow the advice and choose a gentler terrain when conditions are too demanding.
- Monitor the development of the weather and avalanche conditions along the way. Bear in mind that plans may need to be adjusted.
4. – Be prepared for bad weather and frost, even on short trips.
- Dress appropriately for the weather and the terrain.
- Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Bring extra clothing, and the equipment your route and terrain requires.
- Extra food and drink can help save lives if the trip takes longer than planned or you have to wait for help.
5. – Bring the necessary equipment so you can help yourself and others.
- In the winter, you need a bivvy bag, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and a shovel so that you can spend the night outdoors if you have to. A bivvy bag can save lives.
- Bring a high-visibility vest or a headlamp – that will make it easier to find you if necessary.
- Bring a first aid kit so you can help yourself and others.
- Always use a transmitter/receiver, and have an avalanche probe and a shovel if you are travelling in avalanche-prone terrain.
- Pack wisely. Packing lists for different seasons can be found at dnt.no.
- Mobile phones can be a useful tool, but remember that they don’t work in all situations and areas.
- If an accident occurs, alert the police at 112, go to get help, or try to notify someone with other means.
6. – Choose safe routes. Recognise avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
- Bevisste og gode veivalg er det viktigste for å unngå skred.
- Be aware that avalanches are typically triggered at slopes steeper than 30°.
- You may trigger or be hit by an avalanche in less steep terrain –even in flat terrain
- To eliminate the danger of avalanches, stay out of avalanche terrain. This means keeping a distance of three times the height of the mountainside or slope above you. In other words, if an avalanche could release 100 vertical metres above you, you stay clear at a horizontal distance of 300 metres.
- Avoid terrain traps, such as narrow gorges. Consider what will happen if there is an avalanche.
- Be aware that a cornice can break off when you walk on a mountain ridge.
- Be aware of the condition of the ice when you walk on frozen lakes and rivers.
7. – Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
- A map and compass are basic equipment that always work.
- Pay attention to the map even when hiking on a marked trail.
- Knowing where you are on the map makes for a better hiking experience.
- A GPS and other electronic aids are helpful – but make sure you have extra batteries.
8. – There’s no shame in turning around.
- Reassess your plan continuously, and choose Plan B long before you become exhausted.
- Have the circumstances changed? Should you turn around?
- Is anyone in your group having problems completing the route? Should the group turn around?
9. – Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.
- Adjust your hiking speed to the weakest member of the group, and make sure that everyone can keep up.
- Remember to eat and drink frequently. When you exert yourself, your body needs more fluids than you may feel you need.
- Don’t wait until you are exhausted before you seek shelter. Strong winds will tire you out quickly.
- Use your bivvy bag or dig a snow cave before it’s too late.

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If you need a little refresher in the use of a map and compass (or if you’ve never learned!) step this way. You’ll have it down in no time.