In Thin Air of the Alps, Swiss Secrecy Is Vanishing (nude hiking in the Alps)

nytimes.com ^ | March 16, 2009 | JOHN TAGLIABUE

[Free ThinkerNY]

APPENZELL, Switzerland — The Swiss like their secrecy, particularly in banking. At other times, they are more open. Take hiking.

In recent years, it has become fashionable for a growing number of Swiss and some foreigners to wander in the Alps clad in little more than hiking shoes and sun screen. Last summer, the number of nude hikers increased to such an extent that the hills often seemed alive with the sound of everything but the swish of trousers.

In September, the police in this mountainous town detained a young hiker, whose friends will identify him only as Peter, wandering with nothing on but hiking boots and a knapsack. But they had to release him, because in Switzerland there is no law against hiking in the nude. The experience alarmed the city fathers of Appenzell, pop. 5,600, who worried that the town might become a Mecca for the unclad. Like most remote mountain regions, this is a conservative area.

[dirtboy]

In September, the police in this mountainous town detained a young hiker, whose friends will identify him only as Peter, wandering with nothing on but hiking boots and a knapsack. But they had to release him, because in Switzerland there is no law against hiking in the nude.

Seems like a good time to hide a bunch of old tires alongside the hiking paths to breed skeeters...

[a fool in paradise]

Swiss Miss jokes requested

[Doogle]

"Apps, I mean Alps"

[1rudeboy]

You hump a tire up some of those hiking trails, and the locals will probably leave it there as a gesture of respect.

[Vigilanteman]

Like most remote mountain regions, this is a conservative area.

There, according to the New York Slimes is the problem. The exhibitionists are not the problem. The problem is the conservative locals who need to be taught to appreciate exhibtionism.

The main problem with people who run around nekkid in public is that those most apt to do it are those who are the ugliest.

[bgill]

“You greet them, and they greet you, though in winter, of course, many ask, ‘Aren’t you cold?’”

Did they need to ask that of Peter?

[a fool in paradise]

To hear Europeans tell it when I visited at the start of this decade, all the Puritans left Europe 400 years ago for America. We are supposed to be the prudes of the world.

[a fool in paradise]

"You greet them, and they greet you, though in winter, of course, many ask, ‘Aren’t you cold?’”
>>Did they need to ask that of Peter?

"Shrinkage!!!"

[dirtboy]

To hear Europeans tell it when I visited at the start of this decade, all the Puritans left Europe 400 years ago for America.

To hear PJ O'Rourke tell it, any European with an IQ greater than his hat size moved to America long ago.

[SandWMan]

The main problem is that most of them are men...

[a fool in paradise]

45 years ago, this would’ve been a news item fit for the Weekly World News. The Old Grey Lady is selling herself these days...

[Responsibility2nd]

I clicked this thread to see Swiss Hotties hiking in the nude.

Instead I see this????

Very disappointing.

[a fool in paradise]

I’m at the office, I’m not about to do unsafe google searching. But I’ll keep an eye on the developing aspects of this thread.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

I have only been to Switzerland once for a day trip, and it was to Appenzell. Utterly beautiful - we hiked on what must be these same trails that are now being used by the nudists. The we went down into town, drank a few beers, and watched the farmers move their cattle thru the streets. Fascinating place of stunning beauty.

Semper Fi,

[SkyDancer]

[Responsibility2nd]

Uggghhhh.

There’s a picture at the link.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/world/europe/17swiss.html?_r=3&ref=europe

I knew I should not have clicked the link. Why did I do it? Why?

Got to go get some brain bleach. Be back later.

[dirtboy]

I clicked this thread to see Swiss Hotties hiking in the nude.

As you wish:

[Responsibility2nd]

lolol

Dear Admin Moderator.

Please delete ME from this thread.

I no longer wish I was EVER here.

Thankz.

[Vigilanteman]

Case closed = those most apt to do it are those who are the ugliest. A nekkid fat lady looks better to me than any guy.