The Mountain Hut Book

Perched on ridges, tucked into glacier cirques and hidden in remote valleys, they make accessible the kind of terrain most walkers and trekkers could never reach in a single day. These are places where the sociable spirit of the mountains is felt most strongly—a celebration of a unique experience that draws adventurers from around the world. This richly illustrated book explores every aspect of mountain hut life, from the history and evolution of alpine refuges to the practicalities of using them, the people who run them, and the routes that connect them. Discover what to expect from hut guardians, master the etiquette of communal living, and learn the ins and outs of sleeping and eating in these remote outposts. Ten of the author's favourite alpine huts are profiled in vivid detail, including the Cabane d'Arpitettaz, Refuge de Bellachat, Rifugio Bolzano, Cabane des Dix, Grutten Hut and Totalp Hut. The book also traces the fascinating history of mountain huts, from primitive shelters to today's purpose-built, eco-friendly buildings, and examines the role of alpine clubs in their development. Ten detailed hut-to-hut routes spanning 3 to 13 days are described in full, including the Tour du Mont Blanc, Tour of the Vanoise, Rätikon Höhenweg, Stubai High Level Route, Alta Via 2, Tour of the Jungfrau Region and Tour of the Wilder Kaiser. A final chapter ventures beyond the Alps to explore huts, bothies and lodges in the Pyrenees, Himalaya, Andes, Corsica, Picos de Europa, Canadian Rockies, Atlas Mountains, Appalachians, Caucasus, and Tatras. Essential reading from one of the world's greatest authorities on mountain and Alpine trekking.