NATURE SPORTS
Mountain bike
With thousands of kilometres of marked trails and more and more parks developed for mountain biking alone, the resorts offer cyclists an inexhaustible source of pleasure on two wheels. A booming activity, mountain biking is a multiple activity, and there is something for everyone. The aim is to descend the slopes for the pleasure of speed, the descent benefits from many trails: raised bends, bumps, jumps, on its long trails sometimes several km long and, accessible by the ski lifts, lovers of sensations have enough to enjoy themselves to their hearts content. Mountain biking is a discipline that requires a few precautions: wearing protective equipment and knowing how to steer your horse are priorities. So, even for a walk, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended. Equipment that must be accompanied by back protection whenever you want to venture down steep slopes (equipment that is usually rented in bicycle shops). But in the face of the enthusiasm generated by this spectacular activity, once reserved for experienced sportsmen, mountain resorts now offer itineraries of all levels, to enable as many people as possible to discover the pleasure of driving. This is all the more true because modern bicycles are specially adapted to each discipline. Family hiking, downhill, cross country, everything is done to ensure comfort and efficiency.
Trekking
Trekking is a hike of several days. In tents but also in homes or in shelters. The levels of difficulty vary greatly, depending on the duration of the stages, the altitude, the cumulative altitude differences as well as the degree of autonomy required and the weight of the bag transported. Some treks are crossings, others loops. Both shoes and clothing must adapt to the weather conditions. Trekking boots exist, not to be confused with those for hiking and mountaineering. Shoes must be comfortable to avoid discomfort and blisters. A region like Haute-Savoie can vary in temperature. It will be necessary to bring rain gear. However, the height also requires warm clothing without promoting humidity, otherwise hypothermia may result. During these outings, some people also forget about sun protection. The skin is more exposed to the sun. Glasses and hat, as well as lotion, are strongly recommended. Food is not to be neglected, it is essential to be able to hold on. Fruits are recommended, such as bananas and oranges. Cereal bars and candy are also not superfluous. These foods compensate for the lack of calories burned. The mobile phone is also important to avoid getting lost, especially for a lonely hiker. This will make it easier to reach emergency services; a solar charger is required, with the technology constantly evolving. Finally, do not forget the map, compass, GPS, flashlight, pocket knife, care kits, and many other equipment.
Via ferrata
A via ferrata (from the Italian "railway track") is a route laid out in a rock face, equipped with specific metal elements (cables, ladders, ramps, etc.) designed to facilitate the progression and optimize the safety of the people who use it. Via ferrata is also the sport of this type of itinerary, an intermediate activity between hiking and climbing. If the route consists mainly of fixed ropes (handrails), it will sometimes be referred to as a via cordata ("rope track"); if the route consists of anchors to facilitate the securing of a rope progression, it will sometimes be referred to as via corda. Anyone who practises can only start the track with an essential equipment: a via ferrata Y-shaped lanyard equipped with a tear-away absorber
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a climbing harness ;
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a via ferrata lanyard, specific to the activity because it is equipped with a shock absorption system and two K-type carabiners, which cushion any fall ;
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a helmet, to protect your head from falling rocks and objects carried by ferratists.
It is also preferable to bring with you as in any mountain activity: a climbing rope and carabiners, appropriate shoes, gloves, a lanyard to hang on to a bar or an anchor point in case of fatigue, a backpack with food, water and rain gear. While via ferrata facilitates access for as many people as possible to highly vertical routes, the relative sense of security created by solid and regular equipment should not make us forget the risks inherent in any activity at height. The ferratist must master the techniques of progression with an absorber length. These skills can be acquired from an experienced person or a professional.
Speleology
Caving is the activity of identifying, exploring, studying, mapping or visiting underground, natural, man-made or artificial cavities, and then sharing your knowledge. Caving is an unforgettable adventure in the centre of the Earth. It is equipped from head to toe with helmet, wetsuit, harness and acetylene lamp that you will discover this magical and timeless world hidden under your feet. Caving, a multifaceted activity (scientific, sporting, technical, contemplative), immerses you in a world of change and encounters wonderful natural phenomena. Like mountain guides, there are professionals in speleology who are qualified to take care of occasional tourists to discover a region, according to the expectations of the client, so you can learn everything about the formation of caves, stalactites and you will discover a surprising underground fauna all this with a guide. From the initiation cavity to the exploration in the abysses of Haute Savoie, there is always an exploration adapted to your level. You progress by walking, crawling, swimming, abseiling or climbing up the rope, physical effort, even when it is not intense, is not to be neglected because speleology has a sporting dimension. Endurance and knowledge of its limits, combined with mastery of progression techniques, contribute to accident prevention. In case of doubt about one's own physical or moral capacities, as well as those of teammates, it is advisable to renounce the excursion. The weather must be consulted and taken into account when choosing and confirming (or cancelling) the exit, right up to the last moment. Caving, practiced according to the rules and at an adapted level of engagement, is a physical activity with controlled risk. However, accidents do happen sometimes, and some are highly publicized. They sometimes require the use of significant resources, which can be costly and time-consuming. The environment being hostile, the accident site sometimes far from the exit and difficult to access, the survival of the injured is sometimes put to a severe test. Hence the creation of its own structures such as the national speleo-rescue.
Summer sled
Designed on the same principle and based on the basics of winter sledging, summer sledging is practiced on similar bottlenecks or of the same type as bobsleigh runs, but also on rails. The tracks are several hundred meters long and meander on more or less steep slopes. They offer several minutes of descent at speeds of up to 40 km/h for the most adventurous ! Once at the top, it's time to enjoy the thrills: raised turns, ground movements, waves, spins, twists, vertiginous descents... we let ourselves slide with happiness and we vibrate to the rhythm of the car while controlling the speed thanks to the integrated brake. Installed on small vehicles that can easily be controlled by means of a handle positioned at the front, the user can descend alone or in pairs. Summer sledging is a real family activity, which will seduce young and old, exhilarated by the gentle adrenaline of the descent. Very safe, with strict instructions for the descent and a helmet recommended, the slopes can be used by adults and children alike (only from a height of 1m25, two with an adult for the youngest from the age of three). A leisure activity that is all the more family-friendly as it is also economical, with prices for a descent never exceeding five euros. Increasingly popular, summer toboggan runs are now present in many resorts and mountain sites to the delight of young and old alike.
Hiking
The hike is a walk of several hours or several days. By following a marked or unmarked itinerary. Which therefore requires a minimum of physical exercise and equipment, i.e. :
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Clothing : in the mountains, you have to be able to cope with sometimes significant changes in weather and temperature and you need a breathable t-shirt (also called thermal), light and flexible pants, a hat and a pair of gloves are always useful if you go up to altitude. Shoes are the hiker's tyres. They must be adapted to off-road use.
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Protection : what protects against rain and sun (jacket, glasses, hat and sunscreen).
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Security : the mobile phone has become an important tool in case of difficulty. Be aware, however, that it does not go everywhere in the mountains. You can always take a basic medicine kit with you.
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Catering: in the mountains, the body dries out much faster than in the valley; not to mention the effort made. So don't forget to bring water. The ideal is the water pocket which allows you to drink regularly without having to put your bag down. Plan some snacks and a picnic if you are leaving for the day.
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Progress material : your map or topo. A hiking stick can also give you balance and relief on steep slopes.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering is a sport practice of climbing in high mountains, which is based on different techniques of progression. Mountaineering involves a difficulty of technical progress, and exposes the practitioner to many risks (rock falls, avalanches, falls), similar to the high mountain routes of the Alps, and is thus distinguished from hiking. When mountaineering is not practiced alone, the partners are generally connected by a rope, whose role is to cushion and stop a possible fall. This rope is attached to the harness that surrounds the mountaineer's pelvis. On icy terrain, climbers wear crampons under their shoes with steel spikes that hang on to the ice. For their balance, they use a hand-held ice axe with a tip at the bottom of the handle. In the vertical centre, the blade at the top of the ice axe handle is used for traction. To ensure their progression in this vertical environment, the rope is regularly passed through anchoring points, piton, clamper or strap, placed manually in the rock. If the rock is covered with ice, an ice pin is used to secure the rock by sinking into the ice. The drawbars, consisting of two snap hooks and a strap, act as a connector between the anchor point and the rope. The descender is one of the systems connected to the rope at the harness level to control the movement of the rope during belay or abseiling.
A distinction should be made between the risks of accidents and pathological risks due to wear and tear on the body or extreme conditions. Accident risks range from mild to fatal.
Paragliding
Paragliding is an aircraft derived from parachuting. We fly paragliding. Although the profile of a paraglider looks by far like a parachute, its operation and use differ. A parachute is used to slow a fall and land. A paraglider allows you to stay in the air, it allows you to fly. The principle for staying in the air for the longest time is to use updrafts that occur dynamically on the slopes of landforms or thermal ascents. With these great physical and natural laws, paragliders can stay in the air sometimes for several hours. A paraglider consists of a wing, from which the harness is suspended by lines. The pilot has two controls for manoeuvring, as well as an acceleration device that can be used on the feet (accelerator) or by hand (trim), and often a rescue parachute integrated either in the harness or in the front pocket. It is also strongly recommended to wear a helmet. Despite the relative impression of safety under a paraglider, there are dangers :
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Turbulence is a hazard, especially near the terrain. They can deflect the glider's trajectory.
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The meteorological situation and its evolution must be analysed at takeoff and then constantly during the flight. The pilot must also observe thermal development, which can lead to the formation of large convective clouds such as cumulonimbus clouds. The danger then comes from strong gusts of wind under and around the cloud, and the risk is to get sucked into the cloud.
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Power lines or cables from a cable car can present a risk of collision.
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Collisions with other aircraft are possible. To avoid them as much as possible, there are priority rules. In the event of a collision, the rescue parachute is almost always the only way out.
Tree climbing
An adventure course in the forest, commonly known as an accrobranche course, is a sports leisure area, often located in a wooded area, equipped with facilities allowing the practitioner to walk high up, in a more or less acrobatic way, on workshops fixed between two trees or artificial supports. The safety of the participant is ensured by personal fall protection equipment, consisting of a harness or harness connected by lanyards to one or two snap hooks and a wheel, which he will slide on a lifeline cable installed throughout the course. The pleasure is to combine the sporting aspect with that of adrenaline provided by the sensations of height, balance and vertigo above the void, as is also the case of via ferratas located between the mountainous rocks. It can be practiced from the beginning thanks to the different levels of difficulty, by any child or adult in good physical condition, even novice, without requiring any particular learning or training technique. On sunny days, mainly in spring and summer, or even in autumn, Haute-Savoie is a perfect playground for all adventurers who wish to go on an adventure. For this, there are many activities to discover with adventure parks and accrobranche sites that offer many routes to satisfy your thirst for thrills. Suspended bridges, rope ladders, zip lines, nets, Tarzan jumps, footbridges, come and work hard and scare yourself by moving several metres above the ground through the forests of Haute-Savoie. For children or adults, you will find routes for all ages and with several levels of difficulty in the department's leisure parks !
Portaledge
For the most adventurous but also the most athletic, there is the portaledge. A portaledge, also called a wall tent, is a hanging system for climbers who spend several days and nights on long routes, especially in capsule style. An assembled portaledge is a fabric platform framed by a metal structure; this frame is attached to a point on the relay by means of adjustable straps. Separate coverage covers the entire system in case of bad weather. Mike Graham is the first person to be recognized for producing the first folding portaledge model under the name of his company "Gramicci Products" based in Ventura, California. Its portaledges appeared at the very beginning of the 1980s and revolutionized comfort for multi-day climbs. If you are interested, in Haute-Savoie, on one of the most prestigious sites in Europe, discover the night suspended on a wall above Lake Annecy ! Of course, well attached by carabiners you are absolutely safe and can enjoy a magnificent panorama to enjoy a well-deserved breakfast when you wake up. Other celebrations during this night at an altitude of 500 metres: a beautiful 3-hour hike and a 100-metre abseil to reach the site. We already knew the beauty of Lake Annecy from the ground, today we can spend the night there. And what a night it was !