2. Via Ferratas
A Via Ferrata is a “protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations. The essence of a modern via ferrata is a steel cable which runs along the route and is the rock.”
I’d love to see new routes and for people looking for a new hiking experience without getting fully into mountaineering.
3. Backcountry lodges you can hike to
Huts with full, but simple ame- nities. Places out in the wilderness you can make your base camp, as a destination for a night or an access point for further exploration. This will expand the reach of hiking trails. It connects the obvious accessible visitor center to the wilderness beyond. It will allow for incredible experiences beyond the reach of the car.
4. Gondolas
To connect and provision the back- country huts you will probably need a few lifts or gondolas, not for people transportation, but for provisions, food, etc. I’m a huge fan of gondolas and would love to see those intro- duced in our wilderness areas.
In closing Look, I know this dream seems crazy,
But since you kept reading until now I want to assure you: if I could take you to the Alps and let you experience the incredible network of huts all over Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and South Tyrol I am convinced you’d understand what I am talking about. You too would get a longing for similar infrastructure over here in the National Parks of the West.
Mathias Eichler writes for The Outdoor Society, an online outdoor magazine which he designed and developed. He grew up in Germany and now lives in the Pacific Northwest with his family, where he loves exploring the trails, peaks, and lodges. Making the outdoors accessible to a new generation of hikers and families from near and far is his passion.
®
More on backcountry hut systems
Interested in knowing more about the world of huts and other shelter systems for long distance hiking, biking, and skiing? Sam Demas runs
www.hut2hut.info to explore how they operate around the world. You’ll find articles, economic studies, and infor- mation on operations, regulatory environments, and user demo- graphics. His goal is to build a community and a national conversa- tion around the future of various kinds of hut systems in America.
Just as one example, Travel Oregon is planning a hut-to-hut single track biking system across Oregon. Initial planning involves coordi- nation with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and International Mountain Bicycling Association, as well as organizations and businesses.
RockSteps are the smart alternative to natural stone steps. At ¼ the weight of natural stone, durable RockSteps are light enough to carry and install. There is no need for heavy equipment or teams of expensive manpower. Install your new steps in less time for less money!
Beautiful Stone Steps. Made Easy. Distributor/Dealer opportunities open in USA & Canada
Random Steps & Landings
www.rocksteps.com |
sales@rocksteps.com | 262-629-9330 37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40