High mountain huts closed, on the trail with verified...

High mountain huts closed, on the trail with verified information, not inspired by social media.

This year's summer season in mountain huts was good, not so much in terms of overnight stays, but in daily visitors. This was contributed by the increased visits to high mountains and mid-mountains, as Slovenians sought contact with nature during the covid-19 period, and at the same time, there were more foreigners in the mountains again. In October, mountain huts in the high mountains closed their doors, lower ones switched to autumn-winter operating hours, to which the autumn mountain visits must be adapted, paying more attention to tour planning and seeking reliable and verified information, rather than blindly following posts on social media.



"The summer season in mountain huts was good, even very good considering the general coronavirus situation. The first part of the year was extremely unfavorable due to the ban on operations and later limited operating possibilities of the huts. With the opening of catering facilities, visitors also returned to the mountain huts. In summer, there was a relatively good attendance of huts also in the mid-mountains, where there is usually a summer lull because high mountain huts are besieged at that time. There were a quarter fewer overnight stays than in the record year 2019, but still satisfactory also due to the renewed larger number of foreign guests. The greater scope was at least in the high mountains limited due to anti-coronavirus measures," gives the assessment of this year's season by the professional associate of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) Dušan Prašnikar, who also warns about a lot of waste: "Although it is somewhat better than last year, waste is still a very pressing problem, especially in the mid-mountains, where the increase in the part of visitors who do not follow the rule to take the waste with them to the valley was most noticeable."

The Alpine Association of Slovenia is also striving to reduce the impact on the environment with increased mountain visits through partnership in the European LIFE SustainHuts project, which is aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the natural environment by introducing new and original energy solutions based on renewable sources. "Within the expiring LIFE SustainHuts project, it has been proven in practice that even in mountain huts we can successfully contribute to reducing environmental impacts with green technologies. Included were Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih (PD Radovljica) and Dom Valentina Staniča pod Triglavom (PD Javornik - Koroška Bela). A key role in the introduction and testing of new technologies was played by the Slovenian partners, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana and the Hydrogen Technologies Development Center. The project is a successful applied story, as it received an award from the Finance newspaper for an energy-efficient project," explains Prašnikar.

High mountain huts have closed their doors, but with some exceptions. In the Julijske Alpe, Dom na Komni is permanently open, of the higher ones, Orožnova koča na planini Za Liscem, Krekova koča na Ratitovcu and Blejska koča na Lipanci will be open in winter at the end of the week, Dom Zorka Jelinčiča na Črni prsti only on the last weekends of October. Of the summit huts, Erjavčeva koča will be permanently open from December 1, lower ones will be open at the end of the week. In winter, Planinski dom Tamar is permanently open. Triglavski dom na Kredarici is closed, but meteorologists provide shelter and accommodation.

In the Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe, of the higher ones, Črnuški dom and Domžalski dom na Mali planini are permanently open, most others at the end of the week. Koča na Kriški gori will be open on weekends (except October 22-24), on nice weekends Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu will be open for basic care. On Okrešelj, the shelter will still be permanently open until the end of October, then at the end of the week. On nice weekends and by arrangement, Koča na Klemenči jami pod Ojstrico will be open from November.

In the Karavanke, huts will be open in winter mostly at the end of the week (such as Roblekov dom na Begunjščici, Dom na Peci, Dom na Uršlji gori, Planinski dom na Zelenici - this one will also be open during the week during school holidays), some lower huts are permanently open (Dom Pristava v Javorniškem Rovtu, Koča na Ljubelju except Monday and Tuesday, Planinski dom na Boču and Rudijev dom pod Donačko goro except Monday, Poštarski dom pod Plešivcem except Tuesday). From December 1, Valvasorjev dom pod Stolom will be permanently open, until then on weekends. Current data on the opening of mountain huts are up-to-date published on the PZS website koce.pzs.si.

"The high mountains have already been whitened by snow and walking on it requires appropriate winter equipment and a lot of experience. The base on mountain trails is frozen, during the day the snow softens and sinks. Such a base is particularly dangerous on descents, especially if descending faster, as the base can unexpectedly collapse and cause severe knee injuries. This possibility increases if snow covers individual rocks that are warmer, the snow around them melts and a deep hole forms, which is covered from the top and represents a kind of trap. In lower areas, mountain trails are covered with fallen leaves, under them wet roots and rocks, which can cause a fall and injuries if walking carelessly," describes the current conditions in the mountains by the professional associate of the Alpine Association of Slovenia and instructor of the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia Matjaž Šerkezi.

With the closure of mountain huts, it is also necessary to consider the safety aspect of visiting mountains in autumn and pay even more attention to tour planning. Since many mountain huts in autumn and winter do not provide hikers with hot food, the possibility to replenish fluid supplies and a roof over their heads, they must have additional warm clothing, wind and rain protection, alu-foil or a large black bag for hypothermia protection, and more warm non-alcoholic fluid and food in the backpack besides the basic mountain equipment. In autumn, days are also shorter and darkness will catch us somewhere between six and seven in the evening. A headlamp is mandatory, do not forget full batteries.

"Every trip to the mountains must be carefully planned, have all the necessary equipment and know how to use it. Information must be obtained from verified portals, such as the Alpine Association of Slovenia website, printed guides and maps, orally from knowledgeable people who are professionally trained - mountain guides, mountain rescuers, alpine guides ... Always adapt the tour to your abilities and experience. The goal should not be the summit, but a safe return home. For this reason, we must know how to turn back in time," urges mountain visitors Šerkezi.

The mountain rescuer warns of the increase in the number of mountain visitors who set out inspired by social media and without proper equipment and preparation: "In the last year in Slovenian mountains, we more and more often encounter and rescue individuals, couples or groups who set out to the mountains without prior planning and continue the path despite well-meaning warnings from hikers that they do not have proper equipment and footwear. These incidents are often the result of social media and distorted subjective information published by individuals. Last winter, several video contents circulated on social media with huge views and likes and completely wrong and dangerous depiction of walking in the mountains and use of aids such as ice axe and crampons. It should be particularly emphasized that when preparing for a trip to the mountains, information must be verified, above all knowing that not everyone explaining something is necessarily professionally trained. Verified information on the condition of mountain trails can be obtained on the Alpine Association of Slovenia website. A welcome aid in planning is the maPZS web application, where you can find all mountain trails in digital form, including elevation profile, starting points and quality cartographic bases. Information can also be obtained from printed guides, and no backpack should lack a newer edition mountain map. Great caution applies to data from social media, as it is subjective assessment. As an example, I will again give the bivouac under Skuta, from where Kamnik mountain rescuers have almost every week accompanied some Instagram hiker down to the valley. It must be known that the path to the bivouac is demanding, unmarked, in places hands must be used for ascent. Such a path is for experienced. Especially now, when the first snow has fallen in the mountains and its amount will only increase with shorter days."