Only lower-lying mountain huts still open

This year's summer alpine season was slightly better than the successful average of recent years. High-altitude mountain huts operated the best, consequently some mid-mountain and lower huts were less visited. In October, high-mountain huts closed their doors, while lower-lying ones switched to autumn-winter operating hours, which requires adjusting autumn mountain visits and paying more attention to tour planning. Current data on the opening of mountain huts is up-to-date on the PZS website koce.pzs.si.



The Economic Commission of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) conducted an assessment of the success of mountain hut operations at the end of the 2018 summer alpine season based on a questionnaire that covered season comparison over the last five-year period in terms of number of guests, number of overnights, number of foreign guest overnights, and turnover assessment. Feedback was received for more than a third of the 162 serviced mountain huts. Data is distributed both by hut categories and by areas where the huts are located.



"This year's season was about five percent better for mountain huts than the five-year average. It was particularly good for high-altitude huts, where they record on average a ten percent better season than the five-year average. This was due to above-average stable and sunny weather and the continued increase in foreign visitors in the high mountains. The highest visitation, and thus pressure, is primarily on mountain huts in the wider Triglav area," summarizes the findings of the 2018 summer season analysis in mountain huts by PZS expert associate Dušan Prašnikar. Overall, visitation to mid-mountain and lower-lying huts was at least at the five-year average level. However, the high visitation to the high mountains consequently caused visitation to some lower-lying huts to be worse than the multi-year average in summer. A trend of more foreigners on the Slovenian Mountain Trail is emerging, as many huts along this trail report an increase in foreign overnights.



"This year, alpine associations faced issues with a shortage of quality staff willing to work in huts, and frequent staff turnover. The strong increase in tourist arrivals in Slovenia caused a general shortage of staff in catering and accommodation facilities, which was exacerbated in mountain huts where working conditions are different and more demanding. Nevertheless, the staff working in huts strive to create a pleasant alpine atmosphere," explains Prašnikar and adds: "To ensure quality offerings and guest relations, the Alpine Association of Slovenia regularly organizes seminars for mountain hut keepers, and in collaboration with Triglav National Park and the Eco Fund, Slovenian Environmental Public Fund, we successfully organized a seminar for mountain hut managers with a focus on environmental and energy improvements of mountain huts."



High-mountain huts in the Julian Alps, except for Dom na Komni which is open year-round, have all closed their doors, hikers can still count on emergency supplies from meteorologists at Triglavski dom na Kredarici and shelter in unserviced winter rooms and bivouacs. Permanently open in autumn and winter also remain Blejska koča na Lipanci, Erjavčeva koča na Vršiču and Planinski dom Tamar in the Julijcih, Domžalski dom na Mali planini in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Valvasorjev dom pod Stolom in the Karavanke, as well as numerous lower-lying huts, while the rest have switched to autumn-winter hours and are open only on weekends and holidays. Current data on mountain hut openings is up-to-date on the PZS website koce.pzs.si.



When huts are closed, the safety aspect of autumn mountain visits must be considered, requiring even more attention to tour planning. "Many huts will not provide hot meals, fluid replenishment opportunities, or a safe roof over our heads in autumn and winter... This means we must have additional warm clothing, wind and rain protection, an aluminum foil for hypothermia protection, and more hot non-alcoholic fluids and food in our backpack besides basic alpine gear. Days are shorter in autumn, and darkness will catch us around 5 to 6 pm. A headlamp is mandatory, ensure full batteries too," advises alpine instructor and PZS expert associate Matjaž Šerkezi.



Sudden stormy weather deterioration is possible in autumn, which in the mountains due to low temperatures means snowfall. "Just a few centimeters of snow not only completely changes the landscape but requires additional technical equipment (ice axe, crampons) and a good dose of knowledge and experience for winter conditions hiking. Due to increased moisture, mountain trails are wet, and walking on such trails can be difficult and requires the hiker's attention. Even a small step or carelessness on the trail can lead to a slip, which in the worst case can end in serious injuries or, in case of a fall over a rock step, death," warns Šerkezi, who also reminds of the higher possibility of fog: "Fog is a fairly common companion in our mountains in autumn. Every backpack should have a mountain map and compass; we also recommend knowledge of using the Locus Maps app on a smartphone, where you can find Alpine Association of Slovenia maps too. If you get lost on the trail or cannot continue due to thick fog, stay calm. Do not wander aimlessly, as poor visibility can cause a slip on a wet slope. If you see no solution or are injured, call 112."



Happy and safe stepping!