A quick trip to the crag after work, packing the essentials into the car and off you go. The two authors, Deniz Scheerer (botanist) and Lena Müller (ecologist), consciously forgo this luxury. They want to play their part in the sustainable change that our planet urgently needs.
In their "Sustainable Climbing Guide" (available free of charge at the Innsbruck Climbing Center or online at www.lenamueller.com), the two climbers focus on environmentally friendly travel options to around 21 climbing areas in the Mieminger Gebirge, Ötztal, Seefelder Plateau, Innsbruck, Aachensee and Kufstein regions. Detailed travel options from Innsbruck to the desired area by bus, train, bike or on foot are listed.
A few facts from the climbing guide to get you in the mood: "In 2021, the world will have consumed the resources of 1.5 planets. If the entire world population lived according to the Austrian way of life, it would even be 3.5 planets." "In Austria alone, more than 6700 tons of plastic particles are released into the environment every year through tire abrasion. That's the weight of 1000 elephants." "On average, around 35% of our personal footprint is attributable to consumption, 20% to mobility, 20% to housing and 15% to food." "A car with an internal combustion engine emits on average 15 times more C02 per passenger kilometer than the train in Austria. This takes into account the overall balance of vehicle production, operation and recycling."
Once you have come to terms with the current climate changes that are strongly influenced by human activity and reflected on your own actions, in the best case scenario this will also result in changes to your own lifestyle. Be it switching to a vegetarian or even vegan diet, avoiding air travel or using public transport to get to the climbing area.
Interview with author Deniz Scheerer
Climbers Paradise: "Hello Deniz, how did you get to a more sustainable lifestyle and what else do you do to minimize your personal carbon footprint besides the climate-friendly journey to the climbing crag?"
Deniz: "I was on the ecological path early on. When I was 13, I was already a vegetarian for ecological reasons. Through my biology studies, I am involved in various associations on the subject of awareness-raising and mobility (e.g. Zukunftsschmiede or the Austrian Biologists' Association). I give lectures on these topics (European Mobility Week) to pass on my knowledge and convictions. I also travel to work by public transport, occasionally go on vacation in the region and avoid short-haul flights".
The authors of the Sustainable Climbing Guide, Deniz Scheerer and Lena Müller
Climbers Paradise: "How does traveling to the area in an environmentally friendly way affect your climbing day? Do your friends share your convictions or are there complications if they travel to the area differently to you?"
Deniz: "As most of my friends don't have a car, we always travel together by bus or train and then walk to the climbing spot or mountain tour. With the KlimaTicket Tirol, we pay 519.60 euros a year to use all public transport. We rarely travel by bike, but that wouldn't be a problem with the right equipment (for transporting the actual climbing equipment). I don't really see any disadvantages with this method of travel".
"It doesn't take a few people to do everything perfectly. It takes a lot of people going in the right direction."
Climbers Paradise: "Can you explain this quote from you in more detail?"
Deniz: "For me, it's not about the ultimate renunciation, but about the question of which climate-friendly behaviors I can integrate into my everyday life without restricting myself. If the majority of people were to act in a more environmentally conscious way, that would be a big step in the right direction. Some changes can even be worthwhile for me personally. For example, I can make much better use of my time on the bus than when driving (e.g. listening to podcasts, reading, calling friends or family etc.) or doing something good for my body by cycling.
Climbers Paradise: "Through your job as manager of a climate and energy model region, you have a very realistic insight into the actions of the state of Tyrol in terms of nature and climate protection. Can you give us an insight into how politicians deal with these issues?
Deniz: "When it comes to climate protection, saving money always comes first. Politicians have a good vision with the 2050 strategy (Tyrol wants to be energy self-sufficient by then). At the moment, federal and state subsidies in the area of climate protection (e.g. renovation, mobility, etc.) are also very favorable, which makes changes easier. The province of Tyrol offers free energy consultations for private individuals and businesses. However, I still see room for improvement when it comes to raising public awareness. When I asked children in a rural secondary school class whether they had noticed anything about climate change in Austria, none of the pupils could name an example. When I pointed out the snowless slopes in winter, they said: "No problem, there are snow cannons. In general, I would like to see politicians make courageous decisions when it comes to protecting nature and the climate.
3 tips for great climbing gardens that are easily accessible by public transport 1) Martinswand, Zirl
"Together we have the opportunity to change everything."
Approach by bike (40 min):
Starting from Innsbruck, take the cycle path to the Inn upstream on the left-hand side to Kematen and at the end of the cycle path, turn right onto the L13. Follow the road over the bridge and then turn right onto the B171. Ride along the B171 to one of the three parking lots and leave your bike there. The access to the desired sectors starts at the parking lots.
12.6 km, outward route: ↑30 hm, ↓19 hm
Arrival by bus (20 min):
From the Innsbruck Finanzamt bus stop, take bus number 4176 (towards Nassereith) or 4123 (towards Telfs Lumma Krehbachgasse) to the Zirl Martinsbühel bus stop, which is right next to P1. Alternatively, you can get off at the bus stop Zirl Gh Schwarzer Adler, as this bus stop is served more frequently. From here it takes an additional 15-20 minutes to get to the parking lot by walking east along the B171. The access to the desired sectors starts from there.
Arrival by train and bike (20 min):
From Innsbruck main station , the S-Bahn (S4 towards Telfs Pfaffenhofen / S5 towards Ötztal Bahnhof) runs every half hour to Kematen i. Tirol Bahnhof. From the station, cycle west along the tracks until you turn diagonally left onto the main road. Immediately afterwards, at the traffic circle, take the first exit onto the L13 and follow the road until you turn right onto the B171. Follow the road to the desired parking lot, from here the access to the desired sectors starts. (2.7 km, outward route: flat)
Climbing in the Jungle Book, Martinswand
Martinswand: topos & details sport climbing Dschungelbuch Martinswand: topos & details multi-pitches 2) Mieminger Gebirge (Haiminger Klettergarten)
Arrival by train (35-43 min):
Take the train from Innsbruck Hbf (35 min) or the S-Bahn (S5 towards Ötztal Bahnhof; 43 min) to Haiming Bahnhof.
Then continue by bike (6 min) or on foot (20 min):
From the train station, follow the railroad path into the village until you reach the crossroads. At the crossroads turn onto Kirchstraße and at the end of the road turn left onto Dorfstraße. Follow Dorfstraße straight ahead until you reach Ötztal Straße on the right, from where you turn left onto Alte Bundesstraße.
Follow the main road until you cross the bridge over the Inn and then turn right onto Magerbach. Shortly after the last houses, you will see the hiking parking lot on the right-hand side. The ascent starts from here (10 min).
To get to the Simmering climbing garden, cross the highway tunnel from the hiking parking lot and then turn right.
3) Kufstein (Geisterschmiedwand)
Approach by train (35 - 75 min):
Take the train from Innsbruck main station (35-48 min) or the S-Bahn (S4; 75 min) to Kufstein station.
Then continue by bike (10 min) or on foot (40 min):
From the train station, cross the Inn and then go straight across the town square, then turn left onto Andreas Hofer Straße and continue from here to the Kaiserlift Kufstein. Pass the Kaiserlift parking lot and continue to Sparchner Straße, which you follow to the Kaisertal parking lot. The approach starts from here. (2.8 km, outward route: ↑123 hm, ↓6m)
Another way to get from the train station to the Geisterschmiedwand is to continue by bus (6-18 min):
At the train station, take bus line 4030 (6 min; direction Kössen Hüttwirt) or bus line 4036 (7 min; direction Ebbs Schulzentrum) or bus line 1 (19 min, direction Ebbs Kaisertal) to the Ebbs Kaisertal bus stop. The bus stop is right next to the parking lot, from here you can get on the bus.
> Topos & details Geisterschmiedwand here
Lena on the Engelswand in Ötztal. Photo: Johannes Ingrisch
More about climate-friendly climbing Red dot? Sure, climbing a route without falling or cheating your way up a bolt. Ecopoint? Not quite so clear. Not yet anyway, but hopefully soon. The Ecopoint concept extends the concept of the red point to include getting there by fair means (public transport, bike, boat, on foot). Article: Ecopoint - What is it? With the "Climbing with Respect" initiative, Climbers Paradise wants to emphasize a respectful approach to nature.
