Hut experiences in a mountain forest

You will be helping to maintain the mountain forests at the end edge of the Alps. You’ll be planting small trees in order to keep the forest youthful and establishing a mix of different tree species, in order to keep climate change at bay. With this, the mountain forest will also be able to fulfil its diverse protective functions even in the future. You’ll be working amongst the beautiful nature and will therefore experience the background of the mountain forest. Since the weather in the Alps can change very suddenly, you will need to bring the following clothes: strong mountain boots are absolutely necessary, as well as waterproof clothing and sun protection! You’ll be working on 8 days for 6.5 hours. The journey from your accommodation to the place of work is 30 – 45 minute with a minibus. The work can be physically demanding and will take place on a hillside. Strong mountain boots are absolutely necessary, as well as waterproof clothing and sun protection! Your accommodation is in the Rastnock Huts on the north edge of the Retieralpe mountain massif, around 855m above sea level. It’s located around 15km south west of Bad Reichenhall and is easily reachable through a steep forest road by car. You therefore don’t need to carry your luggage all the way up the mountain. There is a room on the ground floor with tables, chairs, benches, a wood oven, gas lighting, gas cooker and crockery and cutlery. In the floor above there is another room with mattresses. You should bring your own sleeping bags, bed sheets and pillows with you. The toilet cabin (dry toilet/outhouse) is located outside of the huts. Water is also only available outside of the huts from a fountain or a trough. The quality of the water is not officially supervised, so you should first boil the water before drinking it. There is only warm water if you warm it up yourself using the oven, or if you build a solar shower. Please bring biodegradable soap with you. There is a meadow outside the huts on which you can play and look at the stars. Here is a link to a film from the Upper Bavarian regional television about the 2013 and 2014 workcamps ( www.rfo.de/mediathek/Bergwaldsanierung_in_Ramsau-27346.html; www.rfo.de/mediathek/38132/Jugendiche_arbeiten_im_Bergwald.html) More information about the mountain forest association here: www.aelf-ts.bayern.de/forstwirtschaft/wald/124635/index.php (it’s unfortunately only available in German, but you could use an online translation tool to read it in English)