This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
The 1948 Gervasutti bivouac hut, situated close to the Fréboudze Glacier on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif, has recently been replaced with a "modular, comfortable, technologically sophisticated shelter".
However, the hut has met with a lot of local criticism...
Read more at http://www.ukclimbing.com/news/item.php?id=66111
In reply to UKC News:
This looks horrible! I always liked the old hut. Long may the internet access fail to work - I thought people went to the mountains to escape such things!
This looks horrible! I always liked the old hut. Long may the internet access fail to work - I thought people went to the mountains to escape such things!
What a waste of money, all you want is a shelter that's sturdy and with plenty of space!
In reply to UKC News:
Have to say I don't like the idea of the on-line booking bit - does that mean if you showed up without a booking you wouldn't be able to get in? Would you need some sort of key or code? Wouldn't be very good for emergency situations!
Have to say I don't like the idea of the on-line booking bit - does that mean if you showed up without a booking you wouldn't be able to get in? Would you need some sort of key or code? Wouldn't be very good for emergency situations!
In reply to UKC News: am I the only one who's noticed the death defying drop when you walk out of the door?
In reply to UKC News:
Yes, just you and all the people who have complained about it that are mentioned it in the text of the article.
What routesdescents is this hut useful for?
Yes, just you and all the people who have complained about it that are mentioned it in the text of the article.
What routesdescents is this hut useful for?
In reply to JoshOvki:
just what I was thinking, is this some kind of bad joke?
This picture doesn't look real either does it
http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=189879&full=1
just what I was thinking, is this some kind of bad joke?
This picture doesn't look real either does it
http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=189879&full=1
In reply to UKC News: And if you walk down to one end of the hut it tumbles down the mountainside. Don't think this is genuine somehow.
In reply to CurlyStevo:
I'm not too sure if it's real or not, but would the BMC run a prank like this? Don't fancy stumbling out of there at 2am and forgeting about the ladder!!
I'm not too sure if it's real or not, but would the BMC run a prank like this? Don't fancy stumbling out of there at 2am and forgeting about the ladder!!
In reply to UKC News:
This is what Luca Signorelli had to say about it on the 12th October last year:
This is what Luca Signorelli had to say about it on the 12th October last year:
> The new Gervasutti hut has been put in place this afternoon - is a cross between a IKEA kitchen, a train WC and a boiler. And obviously the big panoramic windows doesn't point at the Jorasses!
In reply to jon:
Oh lordy lord!!! Did they not measure the place at all with regards to the door?? It looks like an avalanche blaster!!
Oh lordy lord!!! Did they not measure the place at all with regards to the door?? It looks like an avalanche blaster!!
In reply to UKC News:
This photo would imply they haven't considered the snow and the solar panels...
http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/12/dezeen_New-Refuge-Gervasutti-by-LE...
This photo would imply they haven't considered the snow and the solar panels...
http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/12/dezeen_New-Refuge-Gervasutti-by-LE...
In reply to JHammond:
If this is genuine (??), then is it not a concern that it is replacing an open use emergency shelter with somewhere that you will need to book? Will the door always be open, or do you need to obtain a code for the door? How can you fore-tale whether you are going to need to use it in an emergency, and what happens if it's all booked!! And where do they keep the ladder!!
If this is genuine (??), then is it not a concern that it is replacing an open use emergency shelter with somewhere that you will need to book? Will the door always be open, or do you need to obtain a code for the door? How can you fore-tale whether you are going to need to use it in an emergency, and what happens if it's all booked!! And where do they keep the ladder!!
In reply to UKC News: Does look very very odd. Although one would imagine there will be some sort of ladder there when it opens, I'can't imagine the french being THAT daft, and also solar panels usually work beneath snow...
In reply to Bruce Hooker:
Only if I could get the door open
> I bet you'd all be glad of it if you were stuck
Only if I could get the door open
That is absolutely disgusting looking!
In reply to UKC News:
It looks like someone has dropped a tube train they were transporting over the mountain by air.
It looks like someone has dropped a tube train they were transporting over the mountain by air.
In reply to a crap climber:
You wouldn't want to mistake the toilet door for the front door would you!
You wouldn't want to mistake the toilet door for the front door would you!
In reply to UKC News: Go on tell us - it's an old ship's funnel isn't it?
In reply to Neil Henson:
>"it's an old ship's funnel"
Have you seen the mothership?
http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1178&...
>"it's an old ship's funnel"
Have you seen the mothership?
http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1178&...
In reply to JLS: Maybe they should relocate it on top of that one.
In reply to UKC News:
I think it looks cool...
Are the doors left open, like most other unmanned huts, you don't have to pay?!
I think it looks cool...
Are the doors left open, like most other unmanned huts, you don't have to pay?!
In reply to mike kann:
It's in Italy, so anything is possible!!
> (In reply to UKC News) Does look very very odd. Although one would imagine there will be some sort of ladder there when it opens, I'can't imagine the french being THAT daft, and also solar panels usually work beneath snow...
It's in Italy, so anything is possible!!
In reply to UKC News:
As soon as I saw the picture I immediately thought of Michael Caine and the end of The Italian Job
"Hang on a minute, lads, I've got a great idea..."
As soon as I saw the picture I immediately thought of Michael Caine and the end of The Italian Job
"Hang on a minute, lads, I've got a great idea..."
In reply to UKC News: clear to me they definitely arsed up the measurements for the door placement.. dear god
this should be used for all design students of how badly wrong people can get it. virtually flat roof with solar panels in that location? why not make it sharp triangular roof with extra sleeping places and ability to shed snow/avalanches?? truely bonkers, hope someone got their jotters
this should be used for all design students of how badly wrong people can get it. virtually flat roof with solar panels in that location? why not make it sharp triangular roof with extra sleeping places and ability to shed snow/avalanches?? truely bonkers, hope someone got their jotters
In reply to Erik B: but dont worry folks, the focus on the design has been an internet booth.
Italians should stick to shoes, sports cars and high end audio equipment
Italians should stick to shoes, sports cars and high end audio equipment
In reply to paul-1970: Lol, You'll be on the wrong end of an Italian Job if someone mis-understands which door leads to the toilet.
In reply to UKC News: Better be clear on whether this is a hoax before 2 climbers drive all the way down from Bristol to check
In reply to Stone Muppet: oh jesus h, the door even opens in towards the cliff, making it even more dangerous!!!
you couldnt make this up LOL
you couldnt make this up LOL
In reply to UKC News:
Some people are never 'appy!
They had to something with the spare funnel for the Costa Concordia. I think it looks quite nice, but then I don't sleep walk.
Some people are never 'appy!
They had to something with the spare funnel for the Costa Concordia. I think it looks quite nice, but then I don't sleep walk.
In reply to Bruce Hooker: i honestly think theyve put it on the wrong way round, surely the angled end would fit nicely into the cliff and doors then wouldnt be an issue? ha ha!!
In reply to UKC News:
Don't come knockin when the caravans rockin...
Looks as cool as f@@k - like a bond villians escape pod. I assuming it comes with ensuite supermodels, lasershow and disco sound system?
D
Don't come knockin when the caravans rockin...
Looks as cool as f@@k - like a bond villians escape pod. I assuming it comes with ensuite supermodels, lasershow and disco sound system?
D
In reply to UKC News: This has got to be a joke, surely??? Someone has been busy with photoshop!
In reply to UKC News: Looks like the bus from the Italian Job.
You were only sposed to blow the bloody doors off!!!!!!!
You were only sposed to blow the bloody doors off!!!!!!!
In reply to UKC News:
Must be a p*ss take,there was nothing wrong with the old hut when I stopped in it.
I was the standard stop over when descending of the west face of the Petit Jorrasses.Most, if not all parties rappel back down to France now.I can not see such an expensive hut being built is such an unfrequented corner of the range
Must be a p*ss take,there was nothing wrong with the old hut when I stopped in it.
I was the standard stop over when descending of the west face of the Petit Jorrasses.Most, if not all parties rappel back down to France now.I can not see such an expensive hut being built is such an unfrequented corner of the range
In reply to UKC News:
I saw this in an article a while ago here
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665584/terrifying-mountain-refuge-juts-out-ove...
it has a few more different views of the hut...
I saw this in an article a while ago here
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665584/terrifying-mountain-refuge-juts-out-ove...
it has a few more different views of the hut...
In reply to UKC News: Heh, I was taken in for a moment but then I read the whole article. Is the new idea to shift april fools day to a depressing time of year where it is really needed? Someone must have spent quite some time photoshopping it.
In reply to UKC News:
Alas, the hut is genuine (I know because I've seen it myself!). And all the "local criticism" are IMHO valid, particularly the less than ideal position. Also, the whole idea that this is more "ecologically susteinable" than the previous hut is simply ridiculous.
I know that people at CAI will probably beg to differ, but this is not just my opinion...
BTW - if you've ever been to the Canzio hut, prepare yourself for a worse shock in a little less than one year...
Alas, the hut is genuine (I know because I've seen it myself!). And all the "local criticism" are IMHO valid, particularly the less than ideal position. Also, the whole idea that this is more "ecologically susteinable" than the previous hut is simply ridiculous.
I know that people at CAI will probably beg to differ, but this is not just my opinion...
BTW - if you've ever been to the Canzio hut, prepare yourself for a worse shock in a little less than one year...
In reply to UKC News:
It's space age alright - you need a rocket to get to the door!
Ok, so there's a ladder. What if some prankster leaves the hut first and hides the door somewhere? At least the remaining occupants could use the internet to call for rescue (if the internet works).
It's space age alright - you need a rocket to get to the door!
Ok, so there's a ladder. What if some prankster leaves the hut first and hides the door somewhere? At least the remaining occupants could use the internet to call for rescue (if the internet works).
In reply to Misha:
Not to mention that getting to the Gervasutti itself ain't exactly a walk in the park (Alexis Long was killed approaching the hut by a serac fall)
> (In reply to UKC News)
> It's space age alright - you need a rocket to get to the door!
>
> Ok, so there's a ladder. What if some prankster leaves the hut first and hides the door somewhere? At least the remaining occupants could use the internet to call for rescue (if the internet works)
> It's space age alright - you need a rocket to get to the door!
>
> Ok, so there's a ladder. What if some prankster leaves the hut first and hides the door somewhere? At least the remaining occupants could use the internet to call for rescue (if the internet works)
Not to mention that getting to the Gervasutti itself ain't exactly a walk in the park (Alexis Long was killed approaching the hut by a serac fall)
In reply to Kemics:
...or when a mountain hut gives you the irresistible urge to start singing "The Self Preservation Society" loud
> (In reply to UKC News)
>
> you know you really screwed up when people can't tell if it's a joke or not
>
> you know you really screwed up when people can't tell if it's a joke or not
...or when a mountain hut gives you the irresistible urge to start singing "The Self Preservation Society" loud
In reply to UKC News:
Am I the only one worried about the distance to a BT exchange? I tell you 20 meg broad band it will not be. No way Pedro, will we be sitting in the hut watching HD climbing video's over the net. Space age? Ice age more like.
Am I the only one worried about the distance to a BT exchange? I tell you 20 meg broad band it will not be. No way Pedro, will we be sitting in the hut watching HD climbing video's over the net. Space age? Ice age more like.
Naw...you gotta be pulling my ****....all that is missing is a paint job saying 'RED BULL'
In reply to UKC News: it looks so dodgy, should the oblong structure not be turned around 90 degrees, so it runs along the ledge, with the door on the end of the oblong. This is just awful, talk about design over practicality, not very funny either really...
In reply to Luca Signorelli: What is driving this urge to replace old huts with expensive, umm, imaginative, modern ones? I don't remember the old Gervasutti hut being in particularly bad shape (c2002) or the hut book suggesting it was regularly crowded. So why spend £250,000 euro on a new one.
UKC News: I think the article is wrong to state the old hut was for emergencies only and basic. It was like most Italian bivouacs - you just turned up if you wanted to use it and there were bunk and blankets. Quite comforable.
UKC News: I think the article is wrong to state the old hut was for emergencies only and basic. It was like most Italian bivouacs - you just turned up if you wanted to use it and there were bunk and blankets. Quite comforable.
In reply to UKC News: Interesting range of pics some of which are used in the article. http://www.flickr.com/photos/leapfactory/6334474317/in/photostream/
Looks an abomination.
Looks an abomination.
In reply to MG:
I'd agree with that. Off hand, I can only think of the Vallot and the Solvay that fit that use description.
> UKC News: I think the article is wrong to state the old hut was for emergencies only and basic. It was like most Italian bivouacs - you just turned up if you wanted to use it and there were bunk and blankets. Quite comforable.
I'd agree with that. Off hand, I can only think of the Vallot and the Solvay that fit that use description.
In reply to Luca Signorelli:
Is the old hut of which I have fond memeories still there?
The Canzio was great too.....
what next, the Quintino Sella (best of the lot!)
Is the old hut of which I have fond memeories still there?
The Canzio was great too.....
what next, the Quintino Sella (best of the lot!)
In reply to Luca Signorelli:
Lol, I was thinking Yellow Submarine.
The daft buggers, they've completely lost the plot.
> (In reply to Kemics)
> [...]
>
> ...or when a mountain hut gives you the irresistible urge to start singing "The Self Preservation Society" loud
> [...]
>
> ...or when a mountain hut gives you the irresistible urge to start singing "The Self Preservation Society" loud
Lol, I was thinking Yellow Submarine.
The daft buggers, they've completely lost the plot.
In reply to UKC News: well that is just plain daft
In reply to UKC News:
I think this is really interesting! Sure it's a little bit ugly and looks very uncomfortable in its location, but at least someone has a take on a modern mountain hut.
Personally I think this is how it should be done:
http://www.hcla.co.uk/index.php?id=134
I think this is really interesting! Sure it's a little bit ugly and looks very uncomfortable in its location, but at least someone has a take on a modern mountain hut.
Personally I think this is how it should be done:
http://www.hcla.co.uk/index.php?id=134
Am I the only one thinking that if you all jump hard at the window end you'll get an awesome ride down the hill? Like a massive bob sled.
In reply to UKC News:
Carrying out roof repairs looks like it will be nigh on impossible. I'm wondering how many years of alpine weather and hits from avalanches and rockfall this thing is going to stand up to. Maybe 10 - 15 years, after which it'll need to be dismantled and brought down the mountain. Doesn't sound very eco-friendly to me.
Carrying out roof repairs looks like it will be nigh on impossible. I'm wondering how many years of alpine weather and hits from avalanches and rockfall this thing is going to stand up to. Maybe 10 - 15 years, after which it'll need to be dismantled and brought down the mountain. Doesn't sound very eco-friendly to me.
It seemlessly blends in with the surrounding alpine environment. Horrible.
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
Loading Notifications...