AltiHut

Project AltiHut 3◦14
One of the most visited Georgian regions by adventure tourists is Kazbegi region, North of Georgia, as most of the visitors are interested in climbing the mountain Kazbegi (5047m). According to the GNTA’s, more than 30’000 persons travelled to Kazbegi in 2015, however, only 5’000 reached the Bethlehem Hut (3’670m) with over one thousand climbing the summit itself. Unfortunately, the existing infrastructure on the mountain is insufficient and inadequate to keep up with the ever-increasing number of tourists. The absence of waste management, wastewater and sewerage facilities are among major concerns and might turn into a large-scale environmental problem if not addressed timely. There is only one functional shelter – “Bethlehem Hut” (a former meteorological station) 3,670 meters above the sea level while travelling from village Stephantsminda to Kazbegi Mountain. The location of the given Hut is ideal for the acclimatization before the final push towards the summit. However, for a big number of tourists making 1’500 vertical meters in one day are very demanding or even impossible. shelter) would be appropriate. Nowadays, such a “stop” is done by the tourists on the free camping with no infrastructure on 3,000 metres at the so-called “Sabertse”. Those making the stop at this place have to carry additional equipment to the mountain and very often leave lots of garbage behind. Based on the above-mentioned facts, an overall goal of the business idea is to improve existing touristic infrastructure on Mt Kazbegi in order to meet the needs of the ever-increasing number of visitors by:
1. Building a Mountain Hut / Shelter (AltiHut 3.14) with kitchen and shower for up to 30 persons enabling safer and more comfortable traffic on the mountain
2. Arranging the Bio Toilets for the visitors of the hut and other travellers
3. Opening of a café and a small shop
4. Setting up of the waste management system
5. Organising of the camping place on the surrounding of the hut
6. Planning and arranging of additional trekking trails
7. Offering space for an additional mountain rescue station –that has been discussed/agreed with the voluntary Mountain Rescue Association (the sufficient legal agreement will follow)
The location of the hut was selected after consultations with avalanche specialists, geologists and civil engineers, as well as local guides and tourism professionals. Several field visits were undertaken to corroborate collected anecdotal evidence and feedback. Due to the difficult meteorological conditions and limited transportation means in the mountains, it is envisaged to accomplish the project during two years.