Easy four-thousanders in the Alps: between alpinism and mass tourism

Abstract

The article discusses natural and anthropogenic conditions of the present-day exploration of five Alpine mountain peaks – selected for the purpose of the present paper – standing at 4000 meters above sea level or higher, including Allalinhorn, Breithorn, Gran Paradiso, Punta Gnifetti (Signalkuppe) and Zumsteinspitze, which are referred to as easy Alpine four-thousanders. A common belief that the summits are easily accessible contributes to a higher volume of tourists in their region, which, besides favorable and relatively safe natural conditions, is further facilitated by intensive development of tourism infrastructure including mountain huts and most of all mountain railways. The analysis of the contemporary phenomenon of climbing easy four-thousanders almost on a massive scale provides basis for a discussion on the ongoing human impact on the environment in the highest Alps and the blurring of boundaries between a sport and elite mountain feat that requires both special qualifications and considerable experience and an objectively average achievement accessible to almost every physically fit tourist.