The Swedish Mountain Rescue Association (Svefro) is appealing the decision to close the Gåsen mountain hut in the western Jämtland mountains. According to the organization, mountain safety is being jeopardized.

– They haven't thought it through. The decision could endanger people's lives, chairman Rickard Svedjesten tells TT.

Svefro has turned to the government in the hope of continued operations at Gåsen, which P4 Jämtland has reported on.

Gåsen is located as a hub in a well-visited mountain area. However, the pressure from tourism has increased so much that the nature is being worn down and the reindeer are being disturbed.

The Sami villages in the area and the Swedish Tourist Association, which runs the mountain huts and mountain stations, therefore agreed this summer that STF should try to limit the number of visitors through shorter seasons, slightly reduced service and fewer guest beds.

Gåsens fjällstuga will therefore be closed completely, which became clear when the Jämtland County Administrative Board approved the agreement. But the County Administrative Board's decision is incorrect, according to Svefro.

– The County Administrative Board has not done a risk analysis. The trail is still there and people will of course ski there anyway. But if you remove Gåsenstugan, it will suddenly be 35–40 kilometers between two cabins, instead of 15 kilometers, says Rickard Svedjesten.

The County Administrative Board has announced that a smaller security room at Gåsen will be kept open until the end of the winter season. But that is not enough, claims Rickard Svedjesten.

– It's like removing the lifeboats from a Finland ferry and thinking that it will be fine because a couple of boats are left. What do you do if a whole group comes, can everyone fit? You haven't thought about that, he says.

He emphasizes that Svefro does not interfere in the discussions between STF and the Sami villages. The appeal is solely about mountain safety.

Source: TT