Hikers are angry because the traditional symbol at the top of the Gumsenkogel has been torn down. Many summit crosses are probably not there at all, because the landowners were not aware.
“Who is so bad on the road?” asks a hiker angrily on a relevant online forum. The reason for his anger: the summit cross on the Gumsenkogel in the Almtal is no longer in its place.
Instead, it was torn down and thrown into inaccessible terrain 50 meters below the summit. The cross had not been there very long. At the beginning of the month it would still have been in place.
The comments on the post are clear: “What world do we live in? Some people have no respect!” or “It’s sad how our society is developing.”
But the Gumsenkogel would not be the only top that was suddenly ‘topless’. The cross on the Weinkogel near Mondsee suddenly disappeared at the end of May. Not only was the summit cross dismantled, but the ascent was also blocked.
Every peak in the country belongs to someone
Official reason: a game rest zone had been established. However, rumor has it that landowners and hunters felt disturbed by the hikers. Furthermore, the cross would have been there “illegally” – an issue that Thomas Poltura, chairman of Upper Austria, also raised. Alpine Club knows it. “Private groups often place the crosses with the best intentions, without first making it clear whether the landowner is okay with it,” says Poltura. Because every peak in Upper Austria belongs to someone, often the federal forestry authorities or large landowners.
He estimates that a third to a quarter of the crosses were placed without prior consultation. When problems arise, people often turn to the Alpine Club. “Years ago, the cross at the top of the Großer Priel was destroyed by a storm. “It was not possible to find out who put it there,” says the mountain expert. That’s why the Alpine Club tried to list all the paths and crosses. However, the project came to nothing due to a lack of feedback.
The frequency in the mountains is increasing – the Alpine Association, mountain rescuers and tourism agree. While some are looking for relaxation and leisure fun, others are concerned about their land and the animals that live on it. Conflicts are inevitable here, but many of them can be avoided.
For mountain lovers, it is a nice idea to place crosses on the peaks. After all, they are not only popular photo motifs, but also have an emotional meaning for many hikers. But if you discuss these plans with the landowners in advance, you will save yourself a rude awakening afterwards.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
