Alpine huts are always a popular stopover on mountain tours. But hut keepers are increasingly complaining about rude guests.
Munich – Mountaineers, hikers and climbers seek shelter in huts during their tours in the mountains. Whether for a lunch break or overnight: for many this is essential, especially on long excursions. But a landlady in Zermatt is increasingly worried.
“The lack of respect is sometimes unbelievable”: Hut landlady complains about guests’ behaviour
Edith Lehner and her husband run one of the most famous mountain huts. The Hörnli Hut has been the starting point for many mountaineers for the Swiss side of the Matterhorn for 130 years – at 4478 metres it is one of the highest mountains in the Alps. The hut is located at 3260 metres and offers space for 150 overnight guests and 130 restaurant seats, according to the website. website.
But the guests apparently lack respect. “The lack of respect is sometimes unbelievable,” the 58-year-old told the Swiss media portal View. Most visitors appreciate the work of the team at the Alpine hut. “Of course, dealing with most of them is very pleasant. But there are also the others – those who don’t appreciate what we do up here,” says the hut landlady. There are also those who fall completely outside the grid and, for example, leave the restaurant without paying.
“They are lying to our faces”: Hut owner could hardly believe their behavior
But that’s not all. Whether in the toilet or in the rooms: guests leave their rubbish everywhere. “The waste left in the toilets is sometimes just a disgrace,” Lehner told the portal. “They lie to our faces when we ask.”
“If you have too many negative experiences, you eventually lose interest in the job,” said the landlady. She is worried that other hut owners might throw in the towel. In the past, hut owners have repeatedly complained about the behavior of their guests.
Hut owners often complain about rude guests
Only recently, a mountain hut owner in Italy complained about the conditions left by guests. A group of mountaineers had barely ordered anything in his mountain hut and had not touched the food he had prepared. In addition, the toilets had been badly damaged.
Martin Riz, manager of the Antermoia mountain hut in the Dolomites, even spoke of frightening conditions. The hut owner complained about rubbish on the paths and in front of the hut, dog excrement and tents being set up, even though this is prohibited. “Empty alcohol bottles are lying around after the parties. It is clear that these people are not real mountain lovers, but a few ruffians,” said mountaineer Carlo Alberto Zanella from the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI) describing his experiences.
Moun
taineering legend Reinhold Messner is already calling for entry tickets for South Tyrol regions in order to regulate and limit traffic on the Dolomite passes. Tourists often complain about exorbitant prices in Alpine huts, but that does not excuse disrespect. Climate change and water shortages are also making it difficult to operate mountain huts. (kas)
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