The CRESTA 1999 Project was initiated, primarily, as a continuation and widening of the research activities that started with the CRESTA 1998 Project, carried out at the Regina Margherita Refuge, and also as a result of the positive reactions received.

The possibility of applying some of the solutions formulated during the previous year's research was verified during a period at the refuge, from 24^th to 29^th of July 1999. Particular attention was paid to whether the use of portable photovoltaic panels was practical for the production of energy for the scientific instruments and mobile phones; the researchers wanted to verify if it was viable from a technical, economic and environmental point of view.

Another item of research concentrated on the environmental benefits of using eco-compatible innovative materials for cutlery in order to reduce the environmental impact of the waste produced by the refuge, as well as the possibility of organisational solutions to optimise the refuge's internal logistics (bookings, supplies, etc?).

In 1999 another area of study was added to the project which, up until this point, had been purely environmental - alpinists' dietary habits. The aim was to find the optimum diet from a nutritional and environmental point of view that would create balance between the alpinist's energy needs and the impact on the surrounding environment, i.e. packaging.

Attention was also paid during 1999 to the alpinist him/herself. The success of the application of guidelines in improving the environment also depends on the behaviour of the alpinists. Individual ideas of the necessity for environmental protection vary from one person to another and multiple factors lie behind the development of environmental values. Before one can start an accurate knowledge of the world of alpinists must be ascertained: motivation, characterization, etc?. Environmental values are often influenced by the alpinist's consumer behaviour: technical gear and clothing. This study has also tried to analyse the alpinist's relationship with the environment as a consumer.