Fründenhütte, where the food is delicious, the views are tremendous, and the mountain air wafting through the open window makes for a good night's sleep.
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| Fründenhütte, a special spot in the universe |
Huts are plentiful in the the Swiss Alps. They're run by friendly locals, they aren't expensive, and it's a great way to enjoy the beautiful mountains. It would be so cool to be a hut warden. Maybe one day ...
Today, however, we pose a question: Where does the trash go when you live on a mountain? Or, more specifically, in a mountain hut?
I learned the answer in a very eye-opening moment while at Fründenhütte. As supper was being served, our guide instructed us very clearly to eat everything on the plate _ including the crust of the bread _ because the helicopters that supply the huts charge a lot of money to take away the trash, and it's billed by weight.
I was going to clear my plate anyway _ the food is really good there _ but it's just a reminder of how wasteful we can be in our homes when we don't have to worry about every ounce of bread crust.
Incidentally, I got to witness a helicopter landing at another hut in Switzerland a few years ago. It was an awesome sight, seeing the pilot zip off toward the mountains as if he were guiding a kid's scooter.
And I've also visited a hut that found another way to solve the leftovers problem: The warden and his family had a (very friendly) pet pig.
Recently, a group from the Kandersteg International Scout Centre went to Fründenhütte and picked up decades of trash that had been sitting under the rocks near the hut. Dave, one of the guides at KISC, wrote about the experience, and he has a very interesting perspective. Read Dave's blog here.
Fründenhütte is on our itinerary next July when we make our 2014 hiking trip to Switzerland. I'm sure you'll want to join us. Visit our website to find out more and sign up.
See you on the trails.
Joseph
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