Ham and Melon at 1,892m? Hut Keepers Sound the Alarm Over Tourist Madness

South Tyrol, with its majestic Dolomites, is a place of longing. But the beauty of the landscape attracts not only experienced mountain enthusiasts but also a flood of visitors who underestimate the alpine terrain. According to experts, the number of hikers has almost doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. The longing for nature and distance lured many to the mountains who previously had little contact with alpine environments. The result? Overcrowded paths, annoyed locals, and a rising number of emergencies.

A drastic example is the small South Tyrolean village of St. Magdalena, which, with around 370 inhabitants, has to cope with over 1,000 international photo tourists daily. The residents feel like they are in a zoo – a feeling that is spreading in many places in the Alps.

When the Mountain Becomes a Catwalk: The Influence of Social Media

A main driver of this development is social media. Breathtaking photos of mountain lakes and peaks spread rapidly and create the impression that these places are easily accessible. "People see photos of a place they like and think it's easy to get there," explains Damiano Carrara, a delegate of the Italian Alpine Club. However, the reality is different: hiking in the mountains is never easy and requires preparation and respect.

Many tourists are just chasing the "perfect picture" and are completely inadequately equipped. A mountain resident reports in disbelief: "They come with two-pound backpacks, bare-chested and without a sweater, and then realize that it's cold at 2,300 meters. I asked one of them: 'Where are your long pants?' 'At home,' he replied."

The Burden of Hut Keepers and Mountain Safety

The hut keepers are at the forefront of this development. They are not only hosts but often also first responders, advisors, and sometimes involuntary educators. The demand for "ham and melon" at a mountain hut is just a curious example of some visitors' lack of imagination. After all, an electric boiler at 1,892 meters is meant for washing dishes and laundry, not for a wellness experience.

This lack of insight and the underestimation of alpine dangers lead to an enormous additional workload for the hut operators and mountain rescue services. They have to take care of inexperienced, lost, or hypothermic hikers instead of fulfilling their actual duties. Maintaining the mountain huts is already a challenge, as they often have to be operated under difficult conditions. Unexpected demands and the disregard of basic rules add to their burden.

"Hut Etiquette" and Conscious Tourism

The Alpine Club and dedicated mountain residents are calling for more awareness and respect. The so-called "Hut Etiquette" is intended to familiarize visitors with the most important rules for behavior on the mountain and in the shelters. These include:

The mountain is not an adventure playground without rules, nor is it a backdrop for the next Instagram picture at any cost. It is a sensitive habitat and a place that requires respect and knowledge. Only with a change in tourists' mindset can the balance between experience and preservation of the alpine regions be maintained in the long term.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.