Wilderness hut

A bothy is a shelter prefabricated for hikers or mountain climbers. It is usually located in remote places, at a great distance to alpine mountain huts and other accommodation. On some climbing routes, or paths with large distances they are utilized to stay ( bivouac ). Often they serve mountaineers and climbers as a base camp for nearby climbing routes and mountain tours.

The typical Biwakschachtel consists of a small metal or corrugated metal, wood or plastic container that contains as many beds and is widely visible. He has only slightly a little introduction and is thermally insulated on the wetterabgelegenen page. Most are located in blankets, candles, snow shovels, some emergency supplies and a hut book, rarely an emergency telephone, a stove or oven. The property has neither running water nor a toilet.

In the high mountains the bivouacs are usually built up in mountain hollows or near transitions ( saddle, saddle ). Only a few are located on mountain tops, such as on the High Grimmig in the Styrian Alps. Frequently committed and coveted mountains with difficult climbs normal sometimes have a bivouac near the summit, about Badile or Sassolungo. In the western Alps bivouacs are often at the beginning of Gratanstiege.

The shelters are usually maintained by the sections of the Alpine clubs. All users in a bivouac are encouraged to take their waste back and leave everything tidy. For this and for keeping the mountain huts and walkways began the Alpine clubs PES and DAV 2005, the "Clean mountains ".

" Bivouacs " in Sweden

In the northern parts of Sweden bivouacs are referred to as " windshield " and so noted in the cards. Also, they are provided as emergency shelters in problematic weather conditions. So there is the requirement that no more than a night or stay is permitted without distress. The capacity is two to four people. Beds are not present. The device consists of benches, a table and a simple oven. In some cases, a toilet ( outhouse ), a wood stock and a waste chamber is present. Tools, supplies and bulbs are missing. For some an emergency telephone is available. The cabins are operated by the STF (Svenska Turistföreningen, Swedish Tourist Association ).

Small bothy at the Breitgrießkarscharte in the Karwendel

Bivouac in the Val Montanaia, Dolomites

The Vallot hut on the Bosses ridge of Mont Blanc

On slide mounted Biwakschachtel (so-called Apple hat) in the Heimefrontfjella ( Antarctica )

Interior of Hochjochbiwaks am Ortler

Bivouac E. Rigatti, south of the Latemar in Latemarmassiv, Dolomites

Refúgio Tejos on Nevado Ojos del Salado, Chile (2004)

Expired Biwakschachtel Indepedencia on Aconcagua (1997)