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History

Change is our constant companion...

future

A distant glimpse into the future
We came across this creative look into the future in the Alpine Museum during the exhibition on the 150th anniversary of the SAC.

2021

Moving the stairs
Due to the continuous extension of the staircase, the rockfall problem from the neighbouring couloir became ever greater. In 2021, the entire staircase was moved to the other side of the couloir. There, the original path could be used again at the top and the future prospects were more promising at the bottom. The entire project was realised thanks to donations and personal initiative.

2016

Indoor toilets increase comfort
This renovation, which cost around CHF 1 million, will give the Konkordiahut a very comfortable toilet facility. A northern extension of around 4 metres and three floors houses the very spacious toilets and washrooms. Two new double bed suites are housed in the gable.
The "Sanisphere" system dries the solid faeces and these are disposed of in the valley once a year.

1997

Busy times call for expansion

Due to the constantly growing number of visitors, a remodelling of around CHF 2 million was realised. For this purpose, an extension was built on the north and south sides. The south wing contains a spacious catering kitchen and staff accommodation. Additional multi-bed rooms and a cloakroom are being created in the north wing. Together with the old Haslerhütte, 155 guests can now be accommodated.
The toilet facilities in the neighbouring building are also new. A photovoltaic and hot water solar system now provides the energy supply.

1980 bis 1990

1980 to 1990 Technology arrives at the Konkordiahut

In 1980, a solar system is installed for the first time, initially only to power a hut telephone. In 198, further photovoltaic panels were added and from then on the lighting could also be operated electrically.
Tanks for around 70,000 litres of meltwater are built to store water.

1967 bis 1979

1967 to 1979 various conversions

In 1967, a major remodelling of the former Cathrein pavilion was undertaken at a cost of around 134,000 francs. CHF 25,000 alone had to be spent on transport, some of which was already being carried out by helicopter.
The upper hut was extensively remodelled for the third time in 1976. The Grindelwald section invested around 230,000 francs in this.
This was followed in 1979 by a remodelling of the WC facilities.

1965

Access is becoming more and more of a problem due to glacier shrinkage

As early as 1945, access from the glacier had been causing increasing concern and effort due to the melting of the glacier. Finally, in 1965, after a major rockfall, a permanent solution had to be found. A bold hut path with nine wooden ladders (200 steps) and two short bridges now overcame the 60 metre high rock face.

1946

Grindelwald Section acquires the Cathrein Pavilion

A final farewell was bid to many years of co-operation. The Grindelwald section bought the Cathrein pavilion for CHF 45,000 and was thus in possession of all three huts. The kitchen and lounge were adapted to meet the growing demands. Even then, the pavilion was only opened when the hut warden was present.

1908

Haslerhütte is built by SAC Grindelwald

The newly founded SAC Grindelwald section in 1907 was full of zest for action and set itself the goal of improving conditions at Konkordiaplatz.
The president, Gustav Hasler, offered to give the section the tied hut on the condition that it would be erected in the same year. In May, loading began on the Jungfrau Railway, which was still under construction, to the Eismeer station, from there up to the Mönchsjoch by cable car and down to Konkordiaplatz on horn sledges. The "Haslerhütte" was inaugurated on 25 July.

1898

Pavillon Cathrein, the second hut at this location

The increasing frequency as well as the unclear responsibilities for urgently needed maintenance work led Emil Cathrein to build the Pavillon Cathrein just a few metres above the first hut, entirely on his own account. It is easy to calculate that the coexistence of two hostels with quite different levels of comfort and prices, which were also run by the same person, was hardly without its problems. A camp in the SAC hut cost 50 centimes at the time, while a bed in the pavilion cost 6 francs.
At that time, all food and fuel was carried from the Hotel Jungfrau over the Aletsch Glacier to the huts in loads averaging 30kg. For 10 years, the two huts lived together, with the old hut becoming increasingly neglected and the pavilion far from affordable for all mountaineers. At this time, the hut was already very busy with glacier hikers travelling from the Hotel Jungfrau to the Konkordiaplatz. Most of them stayed in the Cathrein pavilion.

1877

Construction of the first hut by Monte Rosa section

Even before 1877, there was a simple hunters' and shepherds' hut not far from the current location of the hut.
Due to the increasing use by mountaineers the Central Committee decided to build a new hut with 20 places on the Faulberg. She was handed over to the care of the Monte Rosa section.
The owner of the Hotel Jungfrau on the Eggishorn, Emil Cathrein, financed around two thirds of the construction and thus secured the right to have a say and manage the hut.

Address

Gletscherdorf GmbH
Lauenenweg 3a
3600 Thun
Schweiz

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Springseason 2024
16th March - 19th May
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15th June - 21th September