New HANWAG bivouac mounted on Germany’s highest alpine ridge

Press Release / 19.08.2011

Flying Red Box

Last Friday, 12th of August, the new HANWAG emergency shelter was successfully flown and installed on Germany’s most famous alpine ridge, the Jubiläumsgrat (i.e. “Jubilee Arète”). The very exposed, more than 5 km long ridge links Alpspitze with Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze! The new bivouac box replaces the old emergency accommodation that has given shelter to mountaineers since 1962. Bavarian shoemaker HANWAG donated the “red box” on the occasion of its 90th company anniversary to the Munich section of the German Alpine Association (DAV).

Members of the German Alpine Association and workers installed the new bivouac hut on an elevation of 2684 meters. First, they had to remove the former dilapidated emergency shelter end of July and prepared the foundations for the new aluminium box.

It was a spectacular action, when a Super Puma – a special heavy load transport helicopter – flew the signal red coloured emergency accommodation with a weight of 2.4 tons to its final destination. The “red box” offers space for 12 persons and up to 16 – if you get a little cosy.

Hanwag donated the now-called Höllentalgrat hut to celebrate its 90th birthday. Jürgen Siegwarth, Manager Sales and Marketing at Hanwag said: “The idea was to give something back to the alpine community. And the bivy hut and our brand have a lot in common: They’re alpine. They’re Bavarian. They’re about safety. They have a long history and the outlook is beautiful”

Find out more at www.Hanwag.com