Seen from the sky, they are an anomaly. Orange or black, round or cube-shaped, some unusual shelters inhabit our mountains. Inspired by the views of the Alps, architects and mountaineers have set their imaginations free to build these temporary shelters, often called “bivouacs”. Unprotected, their comforts are basic, and water or food is rarely available. Originally built to accommodate mountaineers seeking peaks, they were often difficult to access. Today they flow with no other excuse than their beauty, and the mountains they are allowed to contemplate. An overview of five of the most unusual refuges in the Alps.
White pants shelter (Switzerland, 3280 m)
Year of construction. In 1975
Height: + 1200 meters.
Number of seats. 15, reservation is mandatory.
Located inside Vale SwitzerlandThe White Pants igloo shelter owes its name to the glacier it overlooks. It looks like an Orthodox church lamp resting on snow or a rock. All routes leading there require some alpine or glacier trekking experience.
The most classic entrance starts at the Grande Dixence Dam, about 2100m. Then you have to walk along the Lac des Dix and set foot on the Buc ridge. This hike is of the alpine type, meaning you have to move on your hands over uneven and sometimes open terrain. After about 5 hours of walking, we reach the shelter. The environment is that of high mountains, above the glaciers and towards the summits White toothstarting source of material and: A large combine. Be careful, white pants are not a guarded shelter. so plan to prepare food and water before spending the night huddled around the stove.
Bivouac Gervasutti (Italy, 2833 m)
Year of construction. in 2011
Height: + 1100 meters.
Number of seats. until 12, no reservation.
The Gervasutti bivouac dominates Courmayeur Valley, in the Mont Blanc mountain range. Installed to replace an old shelter, this small shelter design mimics an airplane cabin. From here climbers head to the Aiguille de Leschaux (3759m) or the east face of the Grandes Jorasses (4208m).
Climbing the refuge is a goal in itself, as you have to climb quite steep slopes, sometimes equipped with fixed ropes, and keep your feet on snowfields that last until late in the season. Once there, you are literally between heaven and earth, as half of the construction stands above the void. The Gervasutti bivouac was designed to be modern (solar panels, induction hobs, weather station and computer) and has a modular and practical interior reminiscent of a spaceship or submarine.
Bivak Pod Skuto (Slovenia, 2030 m)
Year of construction. 2015
Height: + 1200 meters.
Number of seats. until the 20th without reservation.
At the eastern end of the Alps, in the borders Kamnik Alpsbivouac Pod Scuto (or: Alpine shelter) seems like an architect’s dream. Set on the slopes of Mount Skuta (2532m), it overlooks a green valley in a wild setting.
The route to the Pod Scuto bivouac is not marked, probably intentionally. A local topographical map or GPX track will help you find it. Conceived and designed by OFIS architecture agency, the Alpine Shelter is made of wood and glass with innovative geometric shapes. Its 12 m2 area is divided between the kitchen, living area and berths. It was designed to respond to extreme environmental conditions associated with climate change. Each end of the shelter opens almost completely onto large outdoor spaces.
Bivouac du Dolent (Switzerland, 2667 m)
Year of construction. In 1973
Height: + 1000 meters.
Number of seats. until 2 p.m., no reservations.
Feature: Bivouac du Dolent charges €25 for non-Swiss Alpine Club members.
The Dolent bivouac was built under a long ridge leading to the summit of Mont Dolent (3819 m), northeast of the Mont Blanc massif. The shape of this orange capsule opens the doors to the imagination: a lunar module, a submarine or a futuristic hotel?
The ascent to the shelter is quite steep and uneven from La Fouli, but without any real technical difficulty. Once there, it’s hard to miss the Dolent bivouac, perched on a rocky promontory that’s actually an old moraine. Its orange color was imposed during construction to be easily visible to climbers in distress. The interior of the capsule is more spacious than it seems, even if every part is optimized; bunk beds follow each other in an atmosphere reminiscent of second-class sleeping cars. As the pits are small, you should get out to look at the panorama that stretches from Mets Kombinat (4314m) to the more modest Tsavre (2977m).
Bivacco Matteo Corradini (Italy, 2847 m)
Year of construction. 2019
Height: + 900 meters.
Number of seats. 6, no reservation.
that bivouac Matteo Corradini is on Cottian Alps Italian, a few tens of meters from the French border. A black monolith set in the heart of a large mountain pasture, it is actually a sober mausoleum erected in memory of a young mountaineer.
This building is one of the only unusual shelters that is relatively easy to access. It can be reached from France by climbing off the route from the village of Les Chalpes (D89T), or from the Italian side from the Touras Valley. In the middle of short vegetation, on the slopes Top of the Black Earth (Monte Terra Nera, 3100 m), the: bivouac Matteo Corradini is an almost supernatural presence. Visible from a distance, does not spoil the landscape. Its black envelope was chosen to absorb light and heat and regenerate it. The pinewood interior offers six beds and a small kitchen area in the center, and each end opens up to the mountain.
Source: Le Figaro
