The term Mountain huts used to identify and alpine shelter made of wood or stones. Bivouac is generally used for a shelter in an inaccessible place or at a high altitude with walls of corrugated iron or similar materials. The alpine huts can be divided into two categories: those that are managed by custodians and those that aren’t.
The first type provides the services of a small hotel. They generally open at the beginning of the mild season and close at the beginning of autumn. For the second type, you must ask for the keys from the sections of CAI, other groups, or the private owner of the property. If you plan on staying during summer weekends or holiday periods, it’s always better to reserve beforehand.
Unmanaged huts usually have a kitchen, electricity and sometimes basic food supplies. Obviously after using them you are required to clean the stove and floors, fold and put away the blankets, and pack out all trash (this last requirement is also suggested in the managed huts). Also, don’t forget to close the doors and windows well.
Generally, you pay the custodian at the end of your stay. During the high season the work of a hut custodian is very tiring and complicated. You can give them a hand by trying to be as low maintenance as possible and by having a bit of patience. (You aren’t the only one being served and you aren’t in a luxury hotel.)
It’s necessary to fold your blankets before leaving even in the managed huts. A regulation of the Italian Alpine Club has made it obligatory to use a sleeping sac in all mountain huts. If you don’t yet have one, you can acquire one from CAI or in the hut.
Bivouacs usually have bunk beds and blankets but don’t have stoves and rarely have foodstuffs or other supplies. If you decide to stay in one of these shelters, plan on bringing a stove, lighter and food, but also find out what supplies there are.

Except for the hikes judged tourist level in difficulty (marked with a T in the assigned space), it is a good idea to carry appropriate equipment:

Choose routes with a duration and difficulty well under your actual limits.
Always tell someone where your headed.
If your not in shape, start out slowly and gradually increase the difficulty and duration of your hikes.
Never go alone; the ideal number is two or more people who are more or less at the same fitness level.
Always check the weather forecast.
If you have doubts or difficulties, don’t hesitate to turn back.
Don’t overload your backpack with useless and heavy things (canned goods, glass bottles etc.)

Never leave an injured person alone: at least one person from the group should stay with him/her.
Go to the first place from which you can telephone; to do this it’s not always necessary to go down the mountain: sometimes you may be close to a mountain hut, in which case you have to decide whether or not it’s convenient to go up and phone from there.
At the place from which you call, ask for the number of the Alpine Rescue which is responsible for the area you are in.

For years now the use of a helicopter for alpine rescues has been common practice. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to remember some basic rules in case of a rescue of this type.
To ask for help stand with your back to the wind and raise both arms to form a V. Choose the flattest and most easily spotted place possible (not in a sunken area or near cables, poles or plants) where the helicopter can land; although the pilot usually decides this based on his experience.
If help is not necessary, stand with one arm up and one down. If you need to approach or move away from the aircraft while on a hill, do so from downhill ( from uphill you risk being dangerously near the blades) and a head on position. Always make sure the crew can see you. Don’t carry skis or other long equipment in an upright position to avoid bumping the blades. In the landing area, make sure that there aren’t any objects that could blow away and get caught in the propeller.
While getting in and out of the aircraft, avoid brusque movements and always wait for orders and instructions from the crew on board; Don’t crowd or be unruly. And, in conclusion, some advice: even when in difficulty, whenever possible, use your own means. The rescue helicopter should not be used as a taxi, available for every stomachache or sprain: a call for a non-emergency can momentarily take the aircraft away from a more serious case.

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ACTIVE AREAS
on 12 / 2004

Alpi Retiche West
Canton Grigioni
Prealpi Lombarde e Adamello
Canton Ticino e Ossola
Alpi Giulie East
Caravanche
Kamniske in Savinjske Alpe
Triglav-Spik