Are helicopters essential for supplying Swiss mountain huts?

Many helicopters fly in the mountains, especially during summer. Environmentally friendly alternatives are scarce. Clooney the cat is unhappy, sitting in his transport box and meowing pitifully. His owner's comforting words don't help. Usually, it's food, drinks and other necessities that get flown in. But at the start of the season, Clooney also flies up to the mountain hut by helicopter. For huts that are well-frequented by visitors and tourists, supply flights are necessary weekly. At the Geltenhütte near Gstaad in canton Bern, hut warden Susanne Brand organises supplies to be flown in fortnightly. The logistical effort is immense. "Sometimes I wake up at night wondering if I've thought of everything," says Brand. Extensive planning needed About 800 kilograms can be carried by helicopter in a transport bag, with suppliers noting the exact weight on parcels. While packing, Brand reflects, "Sometimes less would be more," but she needs to offer her guests a variety of options to ...