FRIENDS OF THE DOLOMITES
ACTION 2024

From 6 July to 3 August 2024

 

​

Objective

The world war of 1915 - 1918 left numerous traces in the mountains between Ortler and Isonzo.

The FRIENDS OF THE DOLOMITES – a non-profit association founded by Prof. Walther Schaumann – began in 1973 to repair dilapidated paths along the mountain front in 1915-1917 with the help of volunteers, and to make them accessible as »paths of peace«, according to the motto

„Paths that were once dividing front lines shall bring us together today.“

 

Since 1983 the FRIENDS OF THE DOLOMITES work with their volunteers in the area of the Plöcken Pass. The result was an open-air museum, at wich the center is: The Sector Kleiner Pal.

The objective of Action 2024 is to maintain and improve facilities and route markers, and make paths accessible in the area of Kleiner Pal, thus preserving them for posterity as a memorial against the war.

 

The Locations

The Base Camp

„Hausalm“

​

​

 

 

 

​

 

​

It is located 1275 m above sea level; and is about a 15 minute walk from the Plöckenhaus, at the entrance of the scenic and unspoiled Angerbach Valley.

The base camp is connected to the power grid. Water is provided by its own natural spring. Access by car is possible.
The Hausalm contains a kitchen, which also serves as a living room, the site manager’s office and shelter, store rooms and workshops, as well as sleeping quarters for the volunteers.
If the spring supplies enough water, it is possible to use a shower in the washroom..

​

The Mountain Camp

„Kleiner Pal“

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

 

​

The mountain camp is located 1815 m above sea level below the summit of Kleiner Pal, just under 600 vertical meters (1-1½ hour-hike) above the base camp.
A covered, lightning-proof container offers seating for approximately 10 people.
Basic sleeping quarters are provided for volunteers, but they can also pitch their own tents in the surrounding area.
The sanitary facilities are simple.
The cable car (used for supplies only) is used to transport all luggage as well as materials, provisions and drinking water to the mountain camp.
Range of skills of the volunteers that we are looking for:

 

I. Mountain-top construction site: Kleiner Pal

Attention!  For logistical reasons, the total number of people at the mountain camp of Kleiner Pal is strictly limited to 10 participants per shift. Therefore, requests for the assignment of these positions should be made as early as possible.
The assignment of volunteers for the individual construction sites is determined exclusively by the site manager of the mountain camp.
During the first rotation, we build the logistical structure of the mountain camp. The last rotation is intended to dismantle the mountain camp.
Each rotation begins after breakfast on Monday morning with an ascent to the construction site in accompaniment of the site manager or his representative.
Each rotation ends on Friday after final work and cleaning of the mountain camp, in accompaniment of the site manager or his representative.
The completion of the construction project in accordance with the program’s objective is determined by the technical, financial and material limitations, as well as the weather conditions.

​

1.  Construction site personnel for the Mountain Camp „Kleiner Pal“
For the restoration and maintenance work on historic objects and pathways, we need – above-all – strong, healthy and fit volunteers who are willing and able, even after hours of shoveling, shattering of rock or concrete chunks, and transporting the debris, not to lose their good attitude. There are also lighter tasks such as marking and mounting signs, and such.
Examples of tasks to be completed according to the construction manager on the construction site:

• Establishment of safe accessibility of the area (clearing of rubble and debris from the paths and trench systems, repair of collapsed trench walls, repair of supporting equipment),

• Repair of metal cables and barriers along specific secured paths,

• Cutting, clearing and removing overgrowth from paths and stairs,

• Collecting and removing garbage and waste,

• Renewal or repair of markings and signposts in the thoroughfares and circular paths of the sector,

• Performing necessary work on military positions or structures, and on the buildings of the mountain camp.

Prerequisites: Physical stamina, surefootedness in alpine terrain, appropriate personal equipment, and a willingness to live together in confined spaces.

​

2. Supervisor: Mountain Camp „Kleiner Pal“

The supervisor of the mountain camp is – so to speak – “the caretaker” who ensures the smooth running of the camp.
Possible tasks are:

• Ensuring the function, order and safety of the mountain camp (cleanliness, fire protection, hygiene, communication technology),

• Organization, provision and management of food in the camp. Distribution of main meals delivered from the base camp in transport containers,

• Providing hot water and organizing the washing-up after the main meals,

• Guide and/or helper at the supply cable car unloading platform,

• Administration, issuance, return and maintenance of tools and machines

• Ensuring contact between the construction crews and the base camp respectively to the mountain camp via radio/telephone

• Information and support for visitors, issuance of informational material.

Prerequisites: Orderliness, and organizational skills. Desired are knowledge in the use of tools and machines and wide-ranging language skills for communication with visitors.
 

II. Base Camp: „Hausalm“

1. Support Personnel

Without the logistical support of the base camp (Hausalm) work at the mountain camp would not be possible. The supervisor of the base camp ensures the smooth functioning of the facility and is a suitable representative of the FRIENDS OF THE DOLOMITES on the Hausalm.
Since the main meals (lunches) are prepared and made transportable by a service provider, the staff on the Hausalm are required to prepare their own breakfasts and dinners.
Possible tasks include:

• Assisting with the initial set-up of the base camp, as well as helping at the conclusion of the undertaking,

• Ensuring the smooth function, order and safety of the base camp (cleanliness, fire protection, hygiene, communication technology),

• Performing simple tasks in the kitchen (providing assistance in the preparation of breakfast and dinner, washing dishes, and cleaning duties),

• Assisting visitors, distribution and sale of information materials,

• Assisting at the valley station of the material cable car (loading and unloading of the cable car, filling of water cans).

Prerequisites: Being orderly, possessing organizational skills. It is desired that the applicant have   broad language skills (English) for communication with visitors.

 

2. Depot master

The base camp stores all tools and materials required for the work in the mountain site. If necessary, they are issued and taken back after completion of the work. The depot master organizes the provision, availability and usability and ensures the completeness and clarity of the magazine.
Possible tasks are:

• The base camp stores all tools and materials required for the work in the mountain site. If necessary, they are issued and taken back after completion of the work.

•  The depot master organizes the provision, availability and usability and ensures the oversight and the accounting of all supplies.

Requirements: Being orderly, possessing organizational and improvisational skills. It is desired that the applicant have knowledge in dealing with tools and machinery, as well as possessing a valid driver’s license.

 

3.  Supply Cable Car Machinist

The supply cable car from the base camp to the mountain camp is the lifeblood of the operation. Without it, living and working at the mountain camp is not possible. The success of the operation is dependent to a large extent on its working reliably. The cable car operator is specially trained and bears a high level of responsibility.
He / she is responsible for:

• The operation and maintenance of the cable car,

• Documentation of transport performance,

• Issue and return of tools, equipment and building materials (as needed);

• Assisting in the base camp.

Prerequisites:  Already licensed as a cable car operator or ready to train as a cable car operator (for training please contact us at the earliest possible date), willingness to assume a high level of responsibility.

 

4. Purchasing and Supply Personnel

All foodstuffs, consumables, tools and building materials needed in the base camp and in the mountain camp must be procured in the valley and transported to the base camp. The purchaser takes over the order/procurement of the goods and takes care of their transport. A vehicle is available for transport.
Possible tasks are:

• Ensuring the supply of the base camp and the construction sites,

• Administration of food and beverages,

• Food and material purchase,

• Transport of main meals made by service providers to Hausalm,

• Assistance in the base camp.

Requirements: Valid driver‘s license, German language skills, improvisational skills.

 

We strive to schedule you into the desired position. In special cases, a short-term change to another position may be required. By registering, you agree to these terms.

​

Working hours:

In the mountain camp (Kleiner Pal) and in the base camp (Hausalm), the day always begins with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. The breaks and the other meal times will be determined depending on the weather and activities.

​

Registration for Volunteering:

The Rota (Rotations):
For organizational reasons, we request that you choose Sunday for your arrival according to the chosen Rotation and Saturday for your departure. If desired, it is possible to select more than one Rota.
 

Rota 1:    Saturday,   06/07/2024 to Saturday 13/07/2024
Rota 2:    Sunday,     14/07/2024 to Saturday 20/07/2024
Rota 3:    Sunday,     21/07/2024 to Saturday 27/07/2024
Rota 4:    Sunday,     28/07/2024 to Saturday 03/08/2024

 

Registration deadline: May 31, 2024

​

The online form „Registration for participation“ can be found here.

Please send us the completed registration form as soon as possible, as we assign positions in the order that we receive them.
If you wish to work together with a particular person(s), we ask that you contact us and them as soon as possible to make the necessary coordinated arrangements.
Volunteering without prior registration is not possible for logistical and insurance reasons.

​

Contact during „The Action“

Postal address of the FRIENDS OF THE DOLOMITES, including the name of the volunteer:

 

FRIENDS OF THE DOLOMITES/DOLOMITENFREUNDE
Rathaus 390
A-9640 Kötschach-Mauthen
E-Mail: office@dolomitenfreunde.at

​

Telephone contact for matters concerning the association and the museum:   +43 4715 8513 32
Telephone contact for matters of The Hausalm and volunteers:                          +43 664 87 257 87

​

​

Arrival

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

Arrival with bus and train:

From the west:
By train from Bregenz to Innsbruck and on via the Brenner Pass, Franzensfeste, Bruneck, Sillian, Lienz to Oberdrauburg. From there by bus and via the Gailbergsattel to Kötschach-Mauthen. From Kötschach-Mauthen with another bus connection to the bus stop Plöckenhaus.

​

From the east:
By train from Vienna via Bruck an der Mur, Klagenfurt to Villach. From there with the Gailtalbahn to Hermagor and on the bus to Kötschach-Mauthen. From Kötschach-Mauthen with another bus connection to the bus stop Plöckenhaus.

 

From the south:
By train from Udine to Villach. From there continue as above.

 

From the north:
From Salzburg via Bischofshofen and Spittal/Millstätter See to Oberdrauburg. From here continue as above.
Bus connections in the Kötschach-Mauthen area are available at:
http://www.mobilbuero.com
 

Arrival by car

From east/north:

From Vienna/Linz take the A1 motorway to Salzburg and continue on the A10 until the Spittal-Millstätter See exit. Continue on the main road B100 to Oberdrauburg and from there on the B110 to Kötschach-Mauthen and continue towards Plöckenpass to base camp/Hausalm.

​

From the west:
From Bregenz on the A12 to Innsbruck, continue on the A13 to the Brenner Pass and on the A22 via Sterzing to the Bressanone exit. Now on the E66 via Bruneck, San Candido and Lienz to Oberdrauburg, over the Gailbergsattel on the B110 to Kötschach-Mauthen and continue towards Plöckenpass to base camp/Hausalm.

 

From the south:
From Graz or Klagenfurt on the A2 to the exit Hermagor, continue on the B111 to Kötschach-Mauthen. From there continue towards Plöckenpass to base camp/Hausalm.

Literatur:

Vom Ortler bis zur Adria – Der Gebirgskrieg zwischen Österreich-Ungarn und Italien (in German and Italian language)

1st edition 2018 (extended reprint of the work „Schaumann: From the Ortler to the Adriatic Sea - The Southwest Front 1915-1918 in Pictures“, 1993)
Publisher: DOLOMITENFREUNDE e.V. - A-9640 Kötschach-Mauthen
Authors: Prof. Walther Schaumann (†), Gabriele Schaumann (†), Karin Schmid and Peter Kübler.
Texts in German and in Italian • Format 16.5 × 23.5 cm • Hardback • 232 pages • 295 historical photos • 57 photos • 19 sketches and cards • 11 facsimiles • 4 tables • EURO 29.00
The museum guide is available here.

​

Kleiner Führer zum Freilichtmuseum des Gebirgskrieges 1915-1917 Plöckenpass (in German language)
by Walther Schaumann (†) and Peter Kübler
1st edition 2017 • Format 10.5 × 14.8 cm • Brochure • 84 pages • 54 mainly historical photos • 19 sketches • 4 facsimiles • 3 tables • Bibliography • Definitions • Sources.
Supplement: Leaflet with plans for the sector „Little Pal“ in the format 40.5 x 28.6 cm. EURO 9.90.
The guide is available here.

Maps:

Freytag & Berndt WK 223 Karnische Alpen – Gailtal – Gitschtal – Nassfeld – Lesachtal – Weissensee – Oberdrautal,

Wanderkarte 1:50.000 • Freytag-Berndt u. Artaria KG, Brunner Straße 69, 1231 Wien
https://www.freytagberndt.com

 

KOMPASS-Wanderkarten Gailtaler Alpen, Karnische Alpen, Oberdrautal • KOMPASS-Karten GmbH,
Karl-Kapferer-Straße 5, A-6020 Innsbruck
http://www.kompass.de/ • https://shop.kompass.de/

 

TABACCO-Wanderkarte 1:25.000 Nr. 09 – ALPI CARNICHE, CARNIA CENTRALE: Coglians, Plöckenpaβ , Polinik, Creta di Timau, Zermula, Sernio, Tersadia, Zoncolan
www.tabaccoeditrice.it

​

 

By clicking on "Register" I declare

that I have read and understood the "Leaflet basic rules and safety instructions"

​

​