Usually the membership fee in an alpenverein includes an insurance that covers rescue&#x2F;recovery costs up to a certain limit (25k in austria [1], similar in germany). There are alpenverein sections all over europe, so if you like to go climbing and hiking in the mountains, being a member is a good investment. They also take care of maintaining shelters and marking&#x2F;maintaining the hiking routes. You also get a guaranteed place to sleep in the huts - though you might have to squeeze on a bench in the guest room if you&#x27;re late and the place is full.<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.alpenverein.at&#x2F;portal&#x2F;service&#x2F;mitgliedschaft&#x2F;mitgliedervorteile&#x2F;0100_weltweit-versichert.php?navid=971928971928" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.alpenverein.at&#x2F;portal&#x2F;service&#x2F;mitgliedschaft&#x2F;mitg...</a>