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Those of us who love the Alps gained our appreciation for this magnificent region in a variety of ways. Some of us have
roots in the area. My great grandparents, for example, were subsistence farmers in the Paznaun valley in the Tirol. Many others
are quite simply Alpine travelers, who have come to appreciate the natural beauty, the fauna and flora, and the diverse cultural
heritage and people of the region.
The Alpine ecosystem, however,
is at risk. As Paul Hofman notes in Earthwatch, "trans-alpine commercial traffic has increased tenfold during the last 25
years" and 50 million cars annually criss-cross the mountain passes and tunnels. "The once salubrious air in the picturesque
valleys and quaint towns is fouled by exhaust fumes." The quality of life for both Alpine residents and visitors is deteriorating.
What can we do? In the choices we make as Alpine travelers--in the places we
stay, in the transportation we use, in our knowledge of regional issues--we can have a significant impact.
The mission of AlpineTravelers (launched in June 2000) is to raise awareness
of the Alpine past and present...by reporting news about the environment and nature preservation, sharing experiences, oral
histories, and the accounts of hikers and travelers.
The
editorial advisor of AlpineTravelers is Ken Tokarz, a veteran journalist and outdoor enthusiast who still has vivid memories
of his first visit to Zermatt.
The publisher is Carl Zangerl,
who has a doctorate in German history, a very old farmhouse in the Tyrol, and a love of all things Alpine.
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