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