Mounting Vandalism Plagues Alpine Huts
Rise in Destructive Actions at Mountain Shelters in Alpine Region
Munich (dpa) - The advent of the hut season in the Alps is met with a disheartening sight at some establishments. Trashed winter rooms, charred furniture used as firewood, shattered windows, empty alcohol bottles, and filth—these are the telltale signs of a burgeoning problem: an increase in vandalism in Alpine huts, as per the German Alpine Club (DAV).
Particularly susceptible are the winter rooms of huts, usually closed off during the winter months due to ice and snow. Spokesperson Julian Rohn of the DAV reports that these rooms, intended to provide a safe refuge for mountain sports enthusiasts during challenging winter ascents, have been discovered as venues for rampant parties.
Filed Complaint
This season, the Munich-Oberland section of the DAV has lodged a complaint against unidentified perpetrators due to the complete decimation of the emergency room at the Knorr hut in the Wetterstein. Markus Block, the hut's press officer, describes the scene: "The conditions were appalling - it was really the last straw."
What awaited the DAV volunteers upon arrival was an array of debris, alcohol bottles, four tents, used sleeping bags, and filth strewn around the hut. Moreover, someone had removed the stove and placed it in front of the hut, and had broken into the hut not once, but twice.
Cash Box Break-ins
Rohn added that cash boxes, where overnight fees are collected, have often been targeted by thieves. Additionally, vandals have been known to stick stickers on summit crosses and signposts. This seemingly innocuous act can pose a danger for the disoriented or exhausted climbers, as DAV volunteers are compelled to remove the stickers repeatedly.
The vandalism in mountaineering huts comes with a hefty price tag. Damage to property leads to safety hazards and costly repairs, while the financial burden of these repairs often falls on the DAV community. For instance, if a door is broken, it must be flown in by helicopter. Damaged windows can allow snow to blow in, causing water damage to the hut.
The precise factors leading to this surge in vandalism are not elucidated in publicly available information. However, possible causes may include a lack of supervision, increased accessibility to mountainous areas, economic factors, and changes in societal values or cultural norms.
The DAV is actively addressing the problem by undertaking awareness campaigns, possibly improving surveillance, and collaborating with local authorities to enhance security measures and pursue offenders. These efforts aim to preserve these huts for future generations, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of mountain sports enthusiasts.
- The vandalism in Alpine huts, such as the complete decimation of the emergency room at the Knorr hut, has led to an increase in costs due to safety hazards and expensive repairs, particularly for the German Alpine Club (DAV).
- Besides damaging property, vandals have been known to stick stickers on summit crosses and signposts, which can pose a danger for disoriented or exhausted climbers, requiring DAV volunteers to remove the stickers repeatedly.
- To combat this surge in vandalism, the DAV is taking various measures, including awareness campaigns, improved surveillance, and collaborations with local authorities to enhance security measures and pursue offenders.
- The precise reasons for the rise in vandalism in Alpine huts are not yet clear, but potential contributors may include a lack of supervision, increased accessibility to mountainous areas, economic factors, and shifts in societal values or cultural norms.
