Mountain hikers have a new refuge to seek shelter in - the Scara lodge, located at 2,146 meters above sea level, on the Fagaras Mountains ridge route, and which was opened by the Carpathian Mountain Association (AMC).
"The Scara refuge is ready to take in tired hikers or who encounter bad weather on the Fagaras ridge - a difficult route to cover, almost 100 km long, with many peaks over 2,000 meters above sea level and an elevation difference of 5,500 meters. Whether you endeavor to hike the entire ridge or just a segment, the refuge huts in this massif (and not only) are essential for your safety,'' reads an AMC release issued on Tuesday, agerpres reports.
The refuge is located in the Saua Scarii mountain saddle, 2,146 meters high, in the vicinity of Negoiu Peak (2,535 m) and of the rugged Custura Saratii, one of the most exposed and difficult segments in the Fagaras Mountains.
The project is the result of over two years of efforts by a team of mountain-loving professional volunteers (architects, engineers, coordinators) who joined forces in the Carpathian Mountain Association: they designed the concept of the refuge, assessed the location, planned and coordinated the transport of the materials to the ridge, as well as the actual construction, the cited source said.
"The approximately 150 refuge huts in the country, according to data provided by the Romanian Mountain Rescue Service, are smaller or larger wooden, stone or tin buildings open to travelers in the mountains, close to forests or on ridges. They can be an intermediate point for mountain rescue interventions and have the role of providing free shelter to mountaineers who encounter difficulties en route - either due to fatigue, the changing weather or an injury. However, over the years, many refuges have become unusable - some were blown away by wind, dragged away by avalanches or vandalized for materials. Hence the need for more durable materials and concepts tailored to the specifics of the terrain, as we did at the Scara facility," the release states.
The Scara mountain shelter has a 36 sqm layout divided into two functional areas - a vestibule and a common space for eating and sleeping. The refuge can comfortably accommodate 15-18 people, but can go beyond this number if needed.
The only window is high above the ground; the finish of the floor is of metal grating, to prevent its degradation from climbing boot spikes, and the interior cladding is of high-pressure moisture-resistant laminate boards.
The refuge is equipped with USB sockets for charging electronic devices, cameras, as well as various sensors that will transmit helpful data for future projects.
"Through its quality, the Scara refuge sets a new standard for critical mountain infrastructure; in addition, it encourages people to discover the Fagaras Mountains safely," said Corneliu Chiriliuc, a technical coordinator within the project team.
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