Mountain Carrying

In the Central European region, the transportation of materials in wooden devices called krošne has been a tradition of hundreds of years. The first written mention of the mountain porter profession in Slovakia appeared in the 13th century. Mountain carrying, which was an essential service, provided not only to cottagers, but became an important means of livelihood. It is connected with the cultural space of several locations of the Low Tatras and High Tatras and Greater Fatra mountainous regions, where this cultural phenomenon continues still today. In 1873, the Hungarian Carpathian Society was founded, which not only registered the number of porters, but throughout its existence also ensured the traditional transportation training for porters. All knowledge and experience related to carrying goods are transmitted only orally, i.e. through contact communication between generations. This knowledge concerns the production of krošňa – a basic tool for carrying goods, the ways of placing the load, or the technique of carrying bundles which weigh sometimes over 100kg. It also refers to the tools used for carrying goods during the summer and winter seasons (footwear, sticks, snowshoes, crampons, skis, etc), as well as information about the terrain and practical experience, while respecting the physical condition of porters or the climate conditions in specific situations. Present-day mountain porters identify themselves with this traditional profession and proudly claim to be part of its continuous history. They perform this profession under harsh conditions, both of nature and climate, showing their respect and regard for the country and its nature. Mountain carrying is a noteworthy ecological form of transport. It has been preserved in Slovakia in its unchanged form and functionality, which can be considered unique. From the cultural and historical perspective and given its unique position in the Slovak and European context, the importance of this element is significant.