News archive

CAA General assembly 2018 in Turin

On 8 September, at the invitation of the CAI, the presidents or vice-presidents and managing directors of the CAA member associations met at this year's general meeting in the "Museo Nazionale della montagna" on the Kapuzinerberg in Turin. The day before, the Alpine Convention and the role of the CAA as its observer had already been the subject of a lively discussion. The CAA had previously questioned its member associations about this in detail and had now presented the results. A work programme is now to be developed from the proposals contained therein.
The representatives of the member associations also adopted new, joint recommendations "Safe Bouldering Indoor" as well as updates to the recommendations on safe ski touring, alpine tours, via ferratas and mountain hiking proposed by the Mountaineering Commission. The political climate demands and the climate change strategy of the CAA were revised and adopted. After 8 years, Franco Capraro's second term of office on the CAA's Executive Board ended: he was discharged with warm thanks. His successor was Antonio Zambon, long-serving mayor of Budoia, who in 1997 was a founding member of the Alliance in the Alps network of municipalities for the implementation of the Alpine Convention at municipal level. The two auditors Gislar Sulzenbacher (AVS) and Alois Schnider (LAV) were elected for a second term of office.

CAA-commission on huts and trails: Annual meeting on the Schlernhaus, 18.+19.6.2018

As the last of the three CAA commissions, the Commission held this year's annual meeting as a guest of the CAI on 18 + 19 June at the Schlernhaus in South Tyrol. As always, the focus was on the exchange of information and experience, especially on the topics of "mountain biking on paths" and "huts and paths as part of the tourist infrastructure". In addition, the current status of the CEN standard for material ropeways, the online reservation system and the implementation of the "Energy efficiency in huts" project were reported. Also an exchange about a possible common hut data base took place again. The new Chairman Miro Erzen also suggested, among other things, that an additional meeting of the Commission be held in the autumn of each year in order to speed up the progress of joint projects. This is the aim now, even though the Commissioners' time resources are very limited.

Annual meeting of the Commission of Mountaineering, TRaining and Safety on June, 7.+8., 2018 in Malbun/Liechtenstein

In addition to the exchange of representatives of the member associations about their respective current main focuses of work and projects, this time one focus of the meeting was on the discussion and partial revision of the recommendations on various mountain sports adopted in recent years. New joint recommendations have also been developed for bouldering. Other topics included a poster "Safe indoor climbing" and the cooperation with MountainSafety.info.

Annual meeting of the CAA commission for nature protection in Berne

From 26-28 April 2018, the CAA Commission for Nature Protection and Alpine Spatial Planning (KONSAR) met in Bern at the invitation of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC).

This year, the exchange on current activities of CAA member associations in the field of nature conservation was at the centre of the agenda: topics such as the increasing pressure to develop through tourism and energy, motorised leisure traffic, but also the designation of quiet game zones as well as the handling of wild animals or projects for the protection of biodiversity concern most of the Alpine associations. The Commission also discussed updating the common positions on climate change. Information was also provided on the current self-reflection process at the Alpine Convention. On Saturday morning, the group went on a guided excursion with specialist forestry information in the Gantrisch Nature Park.  

General assembly 2017 in Malbun/Liechtenstein

On September 16th the presidents and directors of the CAA member associations met for the General assembly 2017 in Malbun/Liechtenstein, following the invitation of the Alpine Club Liechtenstein.

Following the agenda the delegates approved different papers:

  • 10 recommendations "Safe climbing (Indoor)", prepared by the CAA commission of mountaineering, training and safety.
  • Revisions of the positions concerning Via ferratas and the value of landscape, updated on initiative of the commission of nature protection and alpine spatial planning.
  • A new position concerning Pedelecs/E-Bikes, which was developed jointly by the three CAA commissions.

Furthermore was decided about the cost sharing for the development of a CEN standard for material ropeways with limited passenger transportation which is in preparation by an international commission under participation of the German Alpine Club (DAV).

Regarding the online reservation system, for which the CAA made a start-up financing, the current state of the project was reported. The extended system is successfully in use in about 200 SAC, DAV, ÖAV and AVS huts. CAI and PZS are interested in the system, too.

The issues Alpine Convention and Macro-regional strategy for the Alps (EUSAlP) this time were discussed rather shortly, but the importance of the CAA as observer of the Alpine Convention was stressed. But it was also critically noted that not only the NGOs, but also the Alpine Convention has little influence in the framework of EUSALP.

Since already on the day before was discussed comprehensively about the future of the CAA after the planned foundation of the european mountaineering association EUMA, during the General assembly was made only a summary of this discussion. The CAA in the short term should further exist as indipendent organisation and concentrate on the Alpine Convention and the commissions.

As usual the reports and annual plannings of the board and the commissions as well as annual accounts and budget were approved.

Oskar Wörz (ÖAV), CAA-Vicepresident, stepped down from his office for personal reasons. Georg Simeoni (AVS), longstanding chairman of the CAA commission of huts and trails, was elected for the board. Before, Miro Erzen (PZS), dismissed from the board after three years, because he took over the chairmanship of the commission of huts and trails. Wörz was discharged by the delegates with hearty thanks.

 

Annual meeting of the CAA commissions of Mountaineering and Huts and trails

The CAA commission of mountaineering met on June, 8+9, on invitation of the SAC in Berne (CH). Under the chair of Michael Larcher (ÖAV) it developed 10 recommendations for Climbing (indoor). Besides the commission focused on the intensive exchange about activities and projects of the associations and discussed about an emergency hotline as well as with the topic "short rope".

Furthermore the commission spoke about the draft of the position "Pedelecs/E-bikes" and sent it afterwards with comments to the hut commission. The hut commission met on June, 19+20, on the Höllentalanger hut (D).
The changed and adapted draft now -after a further editing- will be sent to the board and the General assembly. In this case for the first time a position has been developed by all the three expert commissions.

The hut commission additionally had an exchange about the current state of the Online reservation system for huts, about the usage of the tool of the project "Energy efficiency on mountain huts" and about the state concerning a CEN standard for material ropeways. About the presentation of barrierfree accessability in tour portals was discussed, too. A successor for the - after two terms of office - leaving chairman Georg Simeoni still wasn't found, this will be organised within the next weeks.

Annual meeting of the CAA commission of nature protection and alpine spatial planning in Bolzano

On invitation of AVS the commission of nature protection and alpine spatial planning (KONSAR) met in Bolzano on April, 21-23. 
Under the chair of Marie-Laure Tanon (FFCAM) the comission discussed in detail about updates of the common positions on climate change, the value of landscape and via ferratas. The latter will be finished in the follow-up. Furthermore the commission dealt with the draft of a position concerning mountainbiking with pedelecs which will be dicussed afterwards also by the other two CAA commissions.  Besides, as always the exchange about the numerous nature protection activities of the CAA associations was an important agenda point, as well as the information about the current news of the Alpine Convention and EUSALP and the planned foundation of the european mountaineering association EUMA.
The programme of the meeting concluded on sunday morning with an excursion to the lakes of Montiggl with expert explanations about the special mixed forest.

Alpweek-report 2016, video and cooperation video now available!

Held under the slogan “Alps & People”, the fourth edition of AlpWeek was dedicated to the many aspects of the connections between the Alps and the people who live, work and spend their spare time there.

We are pleased to inform you that the AlpWeek report is now available on the event website www.alpweek.org. This report includes a short summary on the outcomes of the event for each of the three topics:  demography, culture and quality of life.

It also opens perspectives for the next AlpWeek.

As developed in the conclusions, ambitious political strategies must be developed, to find convincing solutions to the challenges faced by the Alpine society. These can be developed from the initiatives of civil society and of local and regional administrative bodies, then further promoted through co-operation and networking. This will require a political and social dialogue, as sought by various alpine stakeholders, amongst which the Alpine Convention, the Alpine Space programme and numerous civil society organisations. With its open character and highly differing exchange opportunities, the AlpWeek offered a chance for such a dialogue.

READ MORE

Here the link to the video which illustrates the special atmosphere of the AlpWeek. .

Thank you all for having contributed to the success of AlpWeek 2016!

AlpWeek was jointly organised by:

Alliance in the Alps; Alpine Convention; Alpine Space programme; Association Alpine Town of the Year; CIPRA International; Club Arc Alpin (CAA); ISCAR Alpine Research; Ökomodell Achental.

Please find here the cooperation video.

With the financial support of:

German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety;

Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection.

CAA- General assembly 2016 in Innsbruck

On September 17th the delegates of the CAA’s member associations – presidents and directors – met for the General assembly 2016 in Innsbruck, following the invitation of the Austrian Alpine Club.

The delegates approved a recommendation concerning belay devices for sport climbing, which the commission for mountaineering had prepared before, as well as a common position concerning artificial snow making, developed by the commission for nature protection and alpine spatial planning.

Regarding the online reservation system, for which the CAA made a start-up financing, the current state of the project was reported. The extended system is ready for operation since July 2016 and already in use in numerous SAC, DAV and ÖAV huts. The development of an e-payment solution is progressing. At the moment the system is in possession of SAC, DAV, ÖAV and AVS. Further associations can take it over and adapt it later.

For the use of the tool developed in the framework of the CAA project “Energy efficiency on mountain huts” a training course for persons responsible for huts was already held, in order to ensure a practical application of the tool, which allows an assessment of building and restoration measures.

The issues Alpine Convention, Alpweek 2016 and Macro-regional strategy for the Alps (EUSLAP) were discussed in the presence of the General Secretary of the Alpine Convention, who stressed the importance of the alpine associations and the CAA as observer of the Alpine Convention. He presented the programme of the forthcoming Alpine Conference in Grassau/Bavaria and gave a preview of the plans of the following Austrian Presidency 2017/18.

The longstanding treasurer in the CAA board, Gianna Rauch, stepped down from the office on her own request and was discharged by the delegates with hearty thanks. She was succeeded by Heinz Frei, member of the SAC’s central board, who was elected unanimously.

On the day before the delegates had discussed separately about the current challenges of the alpine associations in the CAA which was intended as contribution to an exchange of experiences and to understand each other better.

Furthermore, the General Assembly discussed in detail the foundation of a European Mountaineering Association, which most of the participants consider necessary. However, there are still different ideas about the shape of such an association.

As usual the reports and annual plannings of the board and the commissions as well as annual accounts and budget were approved.

Join us at the Alpweek: Alps & People

on 11-15 October 2016, in Grassau (Germany)!

Over 25 sessions and 20 market stands as well as 4 excursions await you as an opportunity to learn about current challenges and find common solutions in the fields of culture, demography, and quality of life in the Alps!

AlpWeek is an international event dedicated to new and promising prospects of sustainable development in the Alps. Organised jointly by the main alpine organisations engaged in regional and sustainable development, it is held every four years. AlpWeek 2016 is being organised under the German Presidency of the Alpine Convention.

On Oktober, 12th, the Austrian Alpine Club will present its main topic "Mountain Sports & Health" in a session.

Information and registration: www.alpweek.org.

Organisers:

Alliance in the Alps; Alpine Convention; Interreg Alpine Space Programme; Association Alpine Town of the Year; CIPRA International; Club Arc Alpin (CAA); ISCAR Alpine Research; Ökomo­dell Achental.

Financial support:

German ministry for environment, for nature protection, building and nuclear security, and Bavarian ministry for environment and consumer protection
 

AlpenWoche

SemaineAlpine

SettimanaAlpina

AlpskiTeden

AlpWeek

Alpen & Menschen

Des Alpes & des gens

Le Alpi & la gente

Alpe & ljudje

Alps & People

CAA General assembly 2015 in Brixen/Bressanone

On September 12 the delegates of the CAA’s member associations – presidents and directors - met for the General assembly 2015 in Brixen/Bressanone, following the invitation of the Alpine Club of South Tyrol.

In the series of recommendations regarding the alpine disciplines the delegates approved 10 recommendations for safety on ski tours which the commission for mountaineering had prepared before, as well as the final version of the recommendations for alpine tours.

Regarding the online reservation system, for which the CAA made a start-up financing, the current state of the project was reported. According to the report the system, in the beginning developed under the aegis of the SAC which is already using it successfully, will be at the disposal for the huts of DAV, ÖAV and AVS in Summer 2016. It will simplify the administration of the sleeping places for hut keepers.

The CAA-project “Energy efficiency on mountain huts” is now completely finished. Its results will help sections and technical experts responsible for huts to evaluate with a matrix to which degree single constructions or restoration measures really are energy-efficient.

Furthermore the issues Alpine Convention and Macro-regional strategy for the Alps (EUSALP) were discussed with which the CAA as alpine-wide umbrella organisation and official observer of the Alpine Convention deals intensively. In October 2016 the CAA will be one of the organizing partners of the Alpweek in Grassau/Chiemgau (Bavaria), a colourful festival related to alpine issues in connection with the Alpine conference of the ministers for the environment, which will conclude the German Presidency of the Alpine Convention.

On the day before the delegates had discussed already separately about the future tasks and main focuses of the CAA. Greater attention should be directed towards internal communication and the exchange of experience in the future. Structural changes were not considered necessary.

As usual, the reports and annual plannings of the board and the commissions as well as annual accounts and budget were approved. At last, Klaus-Jürgen Gran (DAV) was unanimously re-elected for a second term of office as CAA President.

Annual meetings of the Commissions for mountaineering, training and safety and huts and trails 2015

During its meeting in June 2015 on the Pass Pordoi, the CAA commission for mountaineering, training and safety has developed common recommendations for ski tours, which shall be approved by the CAA General Assembly in September. Furthermore, a draft for a position paper regarding belay devices was discussed, which the commission will deal with more intensively.

At the annual meeting of the commission for huts and trails on the Gafadura hut in Liechtenstein, the main focus was–besides the completion of the project “Energy efficiency on mountain huts”–the online reservation system for huts, for which the CAA provided a start-up financing. The first huts will test it in the next winter, from summer 2016 on it shall be used by all interested huts of DAV, ÖAV and AVS.

Annual meeting 2015 of the Commission for nature protection and alpine spacial planning

On its annual meeting, held on 24-26 April in Schaan /Liechtenstein the Commission focused on the issue of mountain biking and environment. The framework conditions in the alpine states are different regarding the legal situation, and the integration of mountain biking in the training standards of the alpine associations differ considerably. However, the in the meantime often high percentage of active bikers in the member structure is similar – often one third – and partly the problems with erosion and above all conflicts between hikers and bikers are similar as well. The Commission agreed that a common position paper doesn’t make sense due to the big differences, but that a collection of “best practice” examples with focus on environmental aspects will be developed.

Besides, the Commission discussed further alpine-wide policy papers: the Commission intends to work out a common position of the alpine associations regarding artificial snowmaking. Furthermore the Commission will propose again Jörg Ruckriegel (DAV), chairman for the last four years, for another four-year-period as chairman of the Commission. Like every year the meeting served also for important exchanges of experience and information about the current activities of the associations in the area of nature protection and for the information of the Commission members about the current main focuses of the CAA board.

The next meeting will be hosted by FFCAM in the French Alps in April 2016.

CAA General assembly 2014 in Paris

CAA General Assembly 2014 in Paris

Following an invitation of the French Alpine Association FFCAM the CAA General Assembly (GA) took place in Paris this year on September 13th.

In the series of recommendations regarding the alpine disciplines the delegates approved 10 recommendations for safety on alpine tours which the commission for mountaineering had prepared before. Furthermore the position paper regarding wind power plants of 2006 was updated and approved.

The GA resolved a new paper regarding the significance of landscape. It’s exactly the landscape which fascinates mountaineers and other guests, and which determinates the identity of the population, and which also comes increasingly under pressure.

With the start-up financing of an online reservation system for overnight stays on huts the CAA pursues a really practical project, which will make the reservations – also across borders – easier for the users and will facilitate the administration for hut keepers.

Not yet completely but almost finished is the CAA project “Energy efficiency on mountain huts,” the results of which will help hut keepers and sections to evaluate with a matrix to which degree energy-efficient single construction or restoration measures really are.

Furthermore the issues Alpine Convention and Macro-regional strategy for the Alps with were discussed which the CAA as alpine-wide umbrella organisation deals intensively. The member associations were asked again to participate in the public consultation for the EUALP (see below), directly or with the CAA if they want.

As usual the reports and annual plannings of the board and the commissions as well as annual accounts and budget were approved. At last, CAA President Gran said goodbye with warm words and with applause of the General Assembly to the longstanding CAA Vice President Danilo Skerbinek who, after two terms of office, couldn’t run for office anymore. Afterwards the General assembly elected Miro Erzen (PZS) for the board. Oskar Wörz (OeAV) will be the new Vice President and Franco Capraro (CAI) was elected for a second term of office, too.

General Assembly 2013 in Slovenia

On September 14th, the CAA held its General Assembly at the PZS Mountaineering Training Centre  in the Bavšica-Valley near Bovec in Slovenia. Apart from the usual agenda items like reports of the commissions, budget and annual plannings this time the target groups of CAA position papers and recommendations were also discussed. Furthermore,10 recommendations "Mountain Biking - safe and fair" were approved, which were developed under leadership of the mountaineering commission with participation of the other two commissions. The recommendations are directed to the single biker and can be used and published by the CAA-member associations. So these recommendations apply uniformly for the whole alpine region. The CAA  has already approved recommendations for via ferratas and hiking in 2011 and 2012; recommendations for alpine tours will be prepared.

On the political level the CAA will continue to observe and accompany actively the ongoing process of a development of a macroregional strategy for the Alps. For the end of March 2014 in Munich a panel discussion is planned with representatives of the different initiatives (i.a. Alpine Convention, Alpine Space Programme, EU-commission, Region of Bavaria) which will be part of the framework programme of the DAV-exhibition "The Alps under pressure".  

The 2013 CAA Commission Meetings

The Commission of Nature Protection met in Innsbruck at the start of May. The main topics discussed where the overview of environmental education in the associations with a joint introduction and comments on the Commission of Mountaineering’s draft “Mountain-biking recommendations”. “Alpine spatial planning” is to be prepared in a panel discussion on the subject of macro-regional alpine strategy within the scope of the DAV exhibition on the developmental pressure on the Alps at the end of March 2014. The Commission will also address the subject “Value of the landscape” in the next year.

The Commission of Huts and Trails addressed all issues associated with trails at its meeting in Chamonix in the middle of May: legal aspects and issues of liability, conflicts of use, financing of maintenance, working with tourist organisations, trail sponsorship, problems caused by glacial retreat, etc. Furthermore, the current status of the project on energy efficiency in huts, which is now entering its final phase, was discussed. The Commission proposed Georg Simeoni to the Executive Board for a second term of office as the Commission Chairman; he has since been elected. The next meeting of the Commission will be hosted by the OeAV in the middle of June 2014. In addition to an exchange of experiences, this should deal with leases, the protection of historical monuments and hut strategy/marketing.

In addition to an exchange of information on projects carried out by the individual associations, the main topics discussed by the Commission of Mountaineering in Villnöss/South Tyrol in the middle of June were mountain-biking recommendations and a request by the Commission to the CAA General Assembly relating to alpine tour recommendations and pictograms for hiking recommendations, which were adopted in 2012. The next meeting will be hosted by the DAV at the start of June 2014. Subjects covered should include safety recommendations for ski tours, emergency equipment and a general mission statement for education.

Club Alpino Italiano
Alpenverein Südtirol
Deutscher Alpenverein
Liechtensteiner Alpenverein
Österreichischer Alpenverein
PLANINSKA ZVEZA SLOVENIJE
Schweizer Alpen-Club SAC
Fédération française des clubs alpins et de montagne