Backpacking In The Buff: Germany's New Hiking Trail For Naked Nature Lovers

[Danee]

From: http://www.worldcrunch.com/backpacking-buff-germanys-new-hiking-trail-naked-nature-lovers/3240

When “Germany’s first hiking trail for nudists” opened on May 29, 2010
near the town of Dankerode, enthusiasm was running high—and not just
among those who enjoy braving nature in the buff. Mayor Monika Rauhut
hailed the trail as “the latest attraction here in beautiful
Wippertal.”

The trail was an instant hit, which got us to wondering if such a
thing might be a good idea in Switzerland, where the issue of nude
hiking will soon be taken up by the Supreme Court. The “unofficial
spokesperson’’ for Swiss lovers of the outdoor activity isn’t so sure.
But Puistola Grottenpösch (not his real name) does see some upsides. A
sanctioned trail would give many people an opportunity to experience
the “bodily freedom’’ that only hiking in the nude offers – an
experience that ‘’fills you with happiness,” he says.

In Germany, signs placed around the nude trail area warn: “If you
don‘t want to run into any naked people, stop right here!” The message
makes Grottenpösch uneasy. “It seems to suggest such a thing would be
terrible,” he says. “The sign could be taken as more of an
encouragement than a deterrent.” Nor does he like the idea that such a
trail could be seen as a ‘’ghetto’’ for nude hikers, particularly as
such a thing might make people think “that it’s obligatory to be
clothed everywhere else.’’

Grottenpösch recently appeared in court in Appenzell-Ausserrhoden to
support a fellow nude hiker who was arrested for practicing the
peculiar pastime.

The first year that the German trail – played up initially as a
‘’paradise‘‘ for nude hikers – was up and running, there were no legal
problems. But there have been some red faces. The brains behind the
endeavor is a nearby campground owner who had hoped the novel trail
would bring him more paying guests. He no longer wishes his full name
to be given in the press, reports German nude hiking aficionado Horst
K. on the Nacktwandern.de website, which has provided information
about the trail since it opened.

Integrating the naturist trail and the family-oriented camp site
proved more difficult than anticipated for the owner, whose initial
enthusiasm soon gave way to concern. Instead of trying to draw nude
hikers as customers, he instead found himself telling them to give his
campsite “a wide berth.”

“Yes, there were some problems,” Horst K. says. “But we cleared those
up and now things are okay for both sides.’’ As things presently
stand, the mood in Harz seems to be one of determined conflict
avoidance.

Even among backers of the birthday-suit lifestyle, nude hiking can be
a prickly issue. The president of the German naturists’ association
called naked hikers “neurotics and psychopaths.” Fans of the activity,
in both Germany and Switzerland, reject the labels flat out.

‘‘We are careful,‘‘ Puistola Grottenpösch explains, citing by way of
example an outing he took near Toggenburg (Appenzell, Switzerland),
where he came across a group of people celebrating a religious service
in a field. Grottenpösch conscientiously hid his privates with a
scarf, something he carries for just such occasions. “You quickly wrap
it around yourself and all conflict is avoided.’’

[AElf]

Even among backers of the birthday-suit lifestyle, nude hiking can be
a prickly issue. The president of the German naturists’ association
called naked hikers “neurotics and psychopaths.”

If this is an actual comment from the president of the German naturists’ association he should be sewn into his clothes and expelled from the naturist movement.  What an a--hole!

[Stuart]

Even among backers of the birthday-suit lifestyle, nude hiking can be
a prickly issue. The president of the German naturists’ association
called naked hikers “neurotics and psychopaths.”

I see he's met Karla then.

(I'm in trouble now!)

[Wolfboy]

I definitely want to go there!

My parents invited me to go with them somewhere into Germany during the summer holiday...
I think I'm goïng to suggest this place to them, that I know a great Hiking Trail

Now I only need to find a way to explain to them what kind of Hiking Trail...

[Karla]

Even among backers of the birthday-suit lifestyle, nude hiking can be
a prickly issue. The president of the German naturists’ association
called naked hikers “neurotics and psychopaths.”

I see he's met Karla then.

(I'm in trouble now!)

 

I AM NOT NEUROTIC!

[chrisw91]

Do you have the time
To listen to me whine
About nothing and everything
All at once
I am one of those
Melodramatic fools
Neurotic to the bone
No doubt about it

Sometimes I give myself the creeps
Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me
It all keeps adding up
I think I'm cracking up
Am I just paranoid?
Am I just stoned?

[Riot.EXE]

Even among backers of the birthday-suit lifestyle, nude hiking can be
a prickly issue. The president of the German naturists’ association
called naked hikers “neurotics and psychopaths.”

I see he's met Karla then.

(I'm in trouble now!)

 

I AM NOT NEUROTIC!

Karla: Psycho and Loving It!