Life in a mountain huts is guided by a number of spoken and unspoken rules.
These arise naturally from the remoteness of the setting and are really just matters of commonsense but we’re going to throw our 10 cents worth in and offer you 10 rules for hut etiquette or ‘hutiquette’. (See what we did there?)
Rule one: Arrive with a smile and a friendly greeting. Even if you are soaked through, pretend you enjoy the weather. It confuses everyone and sets a pleasant tone.
Rule two: Remove muddy boots at the door. Boots inside a hut create chaos, slippery floors and the occasional unexpected aroma.
Rule three: Claiming beds works on a first come first served basis. Placing a sock on a bunk does not reserve it. It only raises questions about its cleanliness.
Rule four: Sweep up crumbs. Mice adore crumbs and they do not pay rent.
Rule five: Share the kettle (if there is one). There is no quicker way to start a hut revolt than refusing someone a cup of tea.
Rule six: Keep noise down after dark. Whispering counts as noise if done enthusiastically. As for snoring. Well there’s not a lot of people can do about that. And it’s only one night…
Rule seven: Do not monopolise the drying rack. Your damp trousers are important but so are everyone else’s.
Rule eight: If you borrow something return it. If you finish the biscuits confess. Honesty is comforting.
Rule nine: Ventilate wisely. Opening every window in winter may be bold but it is rarely appreciated.
Rule ten: Depart tidy. Leave the hut looking like a place others might actually want to stay in. A neat hut spreads goodwill and keeps the mountain spirits happy.