A House Built 9,000 Feet Above Sea Level Leaves Authorities Puzzled

If you find yourself in the Dolomites region in Italy, we suggest you look up–way up. Of course, it’s impossible to see from the ground, but if you could see 9,000 feet up, you might spot a peculiar little hut on the side of a mountain. And you might wonder to yourself, how did it get there?

The daring team saw a need for another shelter structure in the area. They completed its construction in 2021, despite the extreme difficulties and challenges posed by the location. Knowing the struggles encountered in 2021, the achievement of building the first hut, the Buffa di Perrero, several decades earlier is even more impressive.

The Bivouac Fanton was designed with hikers and climbers in mind, providing much-needed accommodation for those trekking the route to the tallest peak in the region. But the construction process was not without hardships.

The team at Studio Demogo faced challenges in transporting building materials to the site. In total, it took three attempts by helicopter to carry materials to the remote location safely. However, the high altitude wasn’t the only obstacle—the surrounding area also presented its own problems.

Even with a ski lift to cover part of the journey, it takes an experienced hiker five hours to hike to the shelter’s location—unencumbered by materials, that is. It’s worth noting that during the construction of the first hut, the option of using helicopters was not present.

Without a gondola at your disposal, visiting Buffa di Perrero is a formidable pursuit that requires a considerable amount of time—at least an entire day. Therefore, it is a path that hikers should only attempt if they possess a high level of experience and fitness due to the demanding nature of the journey, including the utter length of the path. 

The movie in question is Cliffhanger. Many of the action sequences were filmed along Ivano Dibona. For example, the iconic scene of the anxiety-inducing bridge explosion. Though the film didn’t receive great reviews at the time of release, many viewers agree that the action scenes were intense and visually spectacular. 

The filmmakers took all necessary safety precautions while filming along the Ivano Dibona, but the location’s nature still presented its challenges. Shooting at elevations that reached 13,000 feet meant even a minor change in weather conditions could force production to halt.

Accessing the Ivano Dibona is even harder for those without the benefit of a $60 million budget. Realistically, even reaching the start of the trail takes a considerable amount of effort. Hikers must trek for approximately two hours before they even reach the beginning of the trail! Of course, once they reach the starting point, there are still more obstacles to overcome. 

During their ascent, hikers must climb shaky, dilapidated metal stairs—plus a ladder. Assuming climbers can conquer these obstacles and several short tunnels, they will finally find themselves at the Cliffhanger bridge. There, they can have a moment to rest and recover while taking in the stunning views, and maybe have a bit of fun by reenacting their favorite scene from the movie. 

The first step in the final push towards Buffa di Perrero is to climb a ladder to a small peak and then start trekking along the ridge line. Hikers must closely follow the cables that extend along the route. 

After that long journey, travelers will finally catch a glimpse of Buffa di Perrero. At this point, the adventure will have taken them as long as four hours of hiking. This remote mountain hut is not easy to access, so it’s no surprise many people have been left bewildered by this mysterious edifice—it’s a strange sight to behold!

The unique and unusual structure is sure to pique visitors’ curiosity, with many feeling compelled to take a closer look and examine the hut in detail. It’s clear the structure is quite old, making it hard to comprehend it could have been built all those years ago without modern technology—a simply remarkable feat! 

The exterior walls of Buffa di Perrero appear to be made of stone, which blend seamlessly with the surrounding rocks of the mountain like a natural camouflage. It’s possible these stones were sourced from the mountain, which makes sense. However, the wooden interior, framed windows, and chairs are not easily explainable—these materials were most likely brought up to the location from elsewhere.

In 20021, Buffa di Perrero became another victim of the Dolomites’ unpredictable and relentless weather conditions. When inclement weather hit the mountain range, the roof buckled under the pressure and the interior beams supporting it broke and bent. As seen in the images shared by an Alpine rescue organization, substantial internal damage took place. 

The Alpine rescue organization advised mountain goers to refrain from entering Buffa due to potential hazards such as sharp wooden debris, among other risks. In spite of this warning, it’s highly likely some curious thrill seekers were still interested in approaching the collapsed structure. After all, it is not every day you come across a mysteriously abandoned mountain hut.

An in-depth examination of history may provide valuable insights. The Dolomites mountain range, which includes the Buffa di Perrero, was the setting of one of the most devastating battles of World War I—it was the site of the so-called White War, a brutal battle between Italian forces and their Austro-Hungarian counterparts.

The mere notion of engaging in combat at such heights and in such harsh conditions is virtually unimaginable. Despite this, the men soldiered on for almost the entire duration of World War I, making the White War a historical event of courage, endurance, and sacrifice. 

Historically, the only individuals who ventured to the great heights of the Dolomites region were foragers, shepherds, or mountaineers. Since there was no mountain infrastructure to speak of, troops on both sides of the conflict were forced to create paths either through the mighty Dolomites. Suffice it to say the conflict forever altered the mountain’s landscape.

Two primary objectives drove these efforts: enabling soldiers to quickly and efficiently reach the front lines of battle, and establishing long-term outposts in the bitter mountain environment—places that could endure whatever weather conditions presented themselves. 

Perhaps the apex of this Alpine existence was demonstrated in 1916. The specific location was the Marmolada, the most prominent peak in the range. The Austro-Hungarian army had devised a plan to dig a tunnel through the glacier in order to approach their enemy’s position covertly. However, as it began the excavation, the soldiers made a significant discovery they most certainly had not anticipated.

As one development led to the next, soon, the Austro-Hungarian military forces were vigorously digging through the glacier. They were steadfast in their efforts, dedicating ten months to the excavation. Ultimately, their labor resulted in a subterranean space large enough to sustain a population of 200 men.

The area where these tunnels and underground compound were created has since been referred to as the “Ice City.” This underground compound was indeed an impressive achievement as it provided soldiers with a place to sleep, cook, and even practice their faith. Additionally, it had storerooms to keep food and supplies and sick bays to attend to any soldiers who were injured. 

In 1915, an intense and unforgettable battle raged in the region surrounding Monte Cristallo, now the location of Buffa di Perrero. This conflict occurred during August and September. It was distinguished by the fact that a bombing campaign was launched directly on the mountain itself. 

The soldiers were constantly hampered during the fighting by the persistent mist, snow, and freezing temperatures that often plagued the area. As a result, when the battle was ultimately over, both sides had accomplished very little. 

The Ivano Dibona trail was one of the key paths the Italian military forces utilized during World War I. Even today, hikers who traverse this via ferrata route have the opportunity to encounter remnants of the barriers and trenches constructed during the war. 

It is worth noting that no concrete historical evidence regarding the soldiers constructing the hut confirms this is indeed the case. However, this is the generally accepted explanation among most historians. 

When word got out regarding the extensive damage Buffa di Perroro suffered, the primary concern among many who posted on Facebook was if the shelter would be repaired. This location was a place of refuge for current hikers and an integral part of Italy’s historical heritage. 

The Dolomites range in Italy is an example that highlights the fact many historical artifacts remain hidden among the world’s mountains. The mountains have also revealed various artifacts and remains from World War I as the glaciers have begun to recede.