| While climbing to the summit of a mountain, | | | | open but without staff so that you can take |
| the weather conditions can become very | | | | advantage of the shelter that they provide |
| difficult, posing as much of a challenge to | | | | (the winter huts may be free in these cases, |
| the climber as the rocky and icy surfaces | | | | and left open as a safety refuge for winter |
| themselves. For the bigger mountain ascents, | | | | climbers). Some huts may offer a surprisingly |
| climbers may have to sleep on top of the | | | | wide selection of foods, from bottled water |
| mountain for several nights in a row. Finding | | | | (which is usually flown in by helicopter) and |
| some kind of suitable shelter from the | | | | sugary snacks to meals in the evening that |
| elements is vital for climbers to be able to | | | | are rich in carbohydrates. Staffed huts are |
| have the strength to make it to the top. In | | | | most common in the alpine regions of Europe, |
| this article we will look at some of the | | | | and are known as cabanes in Switzerland and |
| kinds of shelter that mountain climbers take | | | | refuges in France. |
| advantage of to survive in the upper reaches | | | | |
| of the world. | | | | When there is no hut to take advantage of, |
| | | | climbers may sleep in a tent. The standard |
| On some mountains which are frequently | | | | four season tent is the most popular form of |
| climbed, a popular form of shelter is the hut | | | | shelter that climbers make use of when they |
| ' sizeable huts are built with a central | | | | are staying out in the open above the tree |
| dining room and bunks (or even individual | | | | line of a mountain. This helps to shield the |
| rooms, in some cases) for the climbers to | | | | sleeping climber from the wind, rain, snow |
| sleep in, and can be paid for by credit cards | | | | and the outdoor temperatures. Another kind of |
| in most cases. A staffed hut in the summer | | | | shelter that climbers may use is the sleeping |
| can be contacted, usually by phone, so that | | | | bag with bivouac ' an extra layer of |
| they know who is coming and can be sure to | | | | insulation which can increase the internal |
| have enough space for you. If you are not | | | | temperature of the bag by five to ten |
| going to be able to make it to a mountain hut | | | | degrees. Finally, in extreme situations the |
| you should let them know that you are | | | | climber may construct a snow cave, hollowing |
| canceling your reservation because the | | | | out an area of snow to sleep in for the |
| records kept my mountain huts are used to | | | | night. Surprisingly, this may be warmer and |
| keep track of climbers and determine when a | | | | quieter than sleeping in a tent, although |
| rescue search attempt must be made in the | | | | care has to be used in the construction to |
| surrounding area. Mountain huts are most | | | | make sure that it is stable and safe. All of |
| frequently staffed during the summer, and | | | | these techniques can be used to make for a |
| even during the winter the huts may remain | | | | safe climb to the top of the mountain. |