The Norwegian Mountain Code (Norwegian: Fjellvettsreglene, directly translated: The mountain common sense rules) is a nine point guideline for how to behave in a safe way when tracking in the mountains. It was formulated by the Norwegian Trekking Association and Norwegian Red Cross after several deadly accidents in the Norwegian mountains in 1967. NRK has advertised the code every year since 1969, especially at Easter time.
History
editThe Easter holiday in 1967 was marked by bad weather in many areas of Norway and 16 or 18 persons (according to varying sources) died in several different accidents in the Norwegian mountains, including five persons in Hardangervidda, five persons in Jotunheimen and two persons in Saltfjellet.[1] Some had frozen to death while their rucksack was filled with warm clothes, they had not been able to put on the clothes. The Easter that year became known as the "Death Easter".[1]
Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian Trekking Association subsequently started working with projects that should help prevent unnecessary accidents and deaths among mountain tourists. They promoted a mountain common sense campaign with the slogan “Welcome to the mountains – but be responsible”. The campaign got much attention and was generally well received, although some critics accused the organizations of scare mongering and keeping people away from the mountains. A mountain code called mountain security code had already been written in the fifties[1], now the advices were revised and became the mountain code.
The Mountain Code
editThe mountain codes consists of nine headlines and a short explanation for each. The headlines, translated into English reads:[2][3]
- Be sufficiently experienced and fit for your intended tour.
- Leave word of your route.
- Be weatherwise.
- Be equipped for bad and cold weather, even on short tours. Always bring a rucksack and proper mountain gear.
- Learn from the locals.
- Use map and compass.
- Don't go solo.
- Turn back in time; sensible retreat is no disgrace.
- Conserve energy and build a snow shelter if necessary.
In 2011 the Norwegian Trekking Association suggested to amend the mountain code with a tenth point about the avalanche danger: “Make safe choices in the mountains. Learn how to evaluate the avalanche danger”.[4] Norwegian Red Cross and others, however, were against the proposal.
Media ads and other attention
editIn 1969 NRK started sending informational ads in radio featuring the mountain code. In 1972 informational mountain code ads appeared on television for the first time. Since then ads for the mountain code have been sent every winter, particular at Easter time. Since 1972 the ads have been accompanied by the music theme Daydream, first a version by Frank Pourcel and his Grand Orchestra and later a version by Kringkastingsorkesteret.
In 1989 the figure Severin Suveren, played by the comedian Åsleik Engmark, was introduced in the ads. Severin Suveren consistently overestimates himself, ignores the mountain code, gets in trouble and blames it on “bad luck”.
In the sixties the mountain code was also printed on the paper of the popular chocolate Kvikk Lunsj. Many people have copies of the code in their mountain cabins, and the codes have become part of Norwegian outdoor traditions.
References
edit- ^ a b c Året da 16 omkom i påskefjellet Storm.no, retrieved 19 April, 2013
- ^ Safety in the Norwegian mountains Norwegian Trekking Association/Visit Norway, retrieved 18 March, 2013
- ^ The Norwegian Mountain Code Norwegian Trekking Association, retrieved 18 March, 2013
- ^ NTB: DNT ønsker seg ny fjellvettregel GD, 11 April, 2011
External links
edit- Informational ad, 2010 Youtube video.