The History of the Refuge

Forty-six years have now passed since, by the will of the then President of the CAI Chieri Subsection, Ernesto Bigliardi, and a few other daring individuals, this challenge began. It was indeed in 1980 when the "Tazzetti" Refuge, built in 1913 by the Turin Section of the CAI and dedicated in 1933 to Ernesto Tazzetti (who fell on Torre d'Ovarda in 1927), was assigned for free management to the Chieri Subsection.

From the very beginning we found ourselves facing a difficult situation, because we realized that the increasing frequentation of the area by hikers and mountaineers meant responding to new needs. Managing the Refuge meant first of all solving problems related to water supply, food provisions, heating and lighting of the rooms. Many still remember the effort, at the beginning of each season, of having to go down to the stream and climb back up to the refuge with water containers tied to walking sticks; on weekends very busy with hikers and mountaineers, the "trips" to get water supplies were truly countless.

It was soon decided to make improvements to the refuge. In the early 1980s a real construction site opened, space was created for the installation of the "new" dormitory (a prefabricated unit donated by the Rotary Club of Chieri), covered in masonry and topped with a modern corrugated metal roof. It housed 30 beds. The weekend of July 20/21, 1985 was chosen for the inauguration of the expansion: Saturday is sadly remembered for the death of President Ernesto Bigliardi who, shortly after arriving at the refuge, was struck by an irreversible illness.

In the following years the structure was equipped with water supply piping, a new gas system for the kitchen, telephone and photovoltaic panels for a new lighting system. It was during that period that mountain frequentation lost its elitist characteristic, when an increasing number of people approached hiking; shelters therefore were no longer just refuges for mountaineers but became destinations for excursions. At Rifugio Tazzetti too, evenings had to be faced with a number of overnight stays that went beyond reception capacity: then people slept everywhere, including the dining room and kitchen.

Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, the final renovation was finally carried out; the shelter was further expanded with the renovation of the roof and external walls and changed its appearance. The interior spaces were redesigned: a new kitchen, the dining room with the large window, the managers' room and bathrooms, now equipped with a shower and hot water, were designed and completed. The winter room with 6 beds was completely renovated.

All this was made possible thanks to the help and collaboration of the inhabitants of the Viù Valley, particularly the Municipality of Usseglio, Public Bodies and Organizations, Alpine Rescue and the CAI of Viù. Special thanks go to the Ferro Famil "Vulpot" family for the availability always shown. 

Our wish is to continue this experience for many more years, which although always demanding and fraught with problems, is a source of wealth and a reason for gratification for those who live it.