Refuges in need

Small alpine clubs do great things for the mountains

Even the little ones help to mark the trails.(Bild: Alpiner Verein Krummholz Archiv)

Austria's smallest alpine association was founded 145 years ago. The Krummholzer show tireless commitment to preserving the mountains, but bad weather and financial worries are sapping their strength. The Alpine Association and Naturefriends Styria know where the shoe pinches in the Alps.

"It was a difficult year for the Krummholzer," says Walter Bastl. He has been a member of Austria's smallest alpine association since 1976, and his voluntary work is far from over. Because the Krummholz Alpine Society has its hands full in its working area between Gröbming and Schladming - from rebuilding its refuge to maintaining and marking the trails, especially after this summer of bad weather. "It's not a "gmahde Wiesn", as Bastl says.