Reaching the summit and building “stone cairns” now seems to be a trend, but, be careful, it is a very dangerous trend: as explained by the Austrian Alpine Clubthese structures can damage the delicate mountain ecosystems and therefore the phenomenon must absolutely be contained.
Once upon a time, these constructions were made with found materials on site they had a very specific function: in the absence of any other type of signage, the presence of the stone cairns acted as a guide for hikers along particularly tortuous and impervious routes or for the faithful who set out towards sanctuaries and places of worship (it is no coincidence that several of them are encountered along the Camino de Santiago).
But now, having become superfluous, they seem to have become a pastime for hikers with little environmental culture. And it is a problem: in fact, even if these structures do not require the aid of polluting substances such as glues or mastics, they still represent an alteration of the natural territory that should be avoided.
They are beautiful, but they must not become a mass phenomenon like the coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain
confirm on the local Alto Adige portal Carlo Alberto Zanellapresident of CAI Alto Adige
The phenomenon is constantly growing, on some peaks there are now dozens, if not hundreds (in the Sarentino valley, in Alto Adige, one peak is even called ‘Stone Men’). But those who build them do not know or do not think that the material with which they are made is part of the territory, therefore constituting an important habitat for plants and animals of all kinds.
For this reason, the Austrian Alpine Club aims to strengthen awareness through dedicated campaigns, rather than activating sanctioning procedures.
Will it be enough?
Sources: Ansa / Alto Adige
