For "One Night Stand 11". Day 6: sign photography
We found this sign today on a high-mountain tour, at 2970 m / 9744ft. It is situated near the Schilthorn (Piz Gloria) a high summit of the Bernese Alps. Well, neither normal sports shoes, let alone heels are suitable on the difficult terrain trails that lead to and from this summit and through the snowfields. But, you can get to this summit, (which is where the 1969 James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was set), by a series of cable cars. And it has a revolving restaurant names Piz Gloria on the top. So you can imagine, that a lot of people not used to mountains are going to the top, and the sign has its justification.
Of course we have been well equipped, so it was no problem to cross several snowfields, and rain (heavy rain), snow, sleet and hail did not harm us. Despite the weather an awesome beautiful day.
Addendum 2016-07-25: Accidents in the mountains are a frequent occurrence in Switzerland. Around 9000 hiking accidents a year are recorded, of which about 40 are fatal. A lot of them could be avoided if hikers followed certain guidelines, which include preparing properly, having decent equipment (and shoes!) and choosing a hike suited to one’s ability level. The lack of technical ability is certainly one factor that can put hikers in danger. But general ignorance, that hiking without inappropriate equipment, maps or water, on unsuitable routes, in poor physical fitness or bad weather conditions, is the primary risk.
On points like this, where tourists and visitors can reach high mountain regions by cable cars and people’s imagination to have healthy outdoor fun and adventure… accidents occure more frequently. This is just one information sign, of some more specific signs. But I think this captures more attention, than the written ones. (I have not seen such high heels on that specific day, but flip-flops, platform shoes, crocs, etc. not on the trail though, I think the weather was to bad, to go outside and ruin those shoes). And it was a great sign, and it was a lucky find for the ons11.
About the fence: Behind the fence the cliff drops for about 500 meters. As this cliff is windswept the fence prevents building up snowbanks/drifts in winter.
See
http://365project.org/discuss/general/28137/let-s-get-it-on-one-night-stand-11 for detail. And check out other great entries.
http://365project.org/tags/ons11
Great find & capture
Funny sign, with serious warning. Thanks a lot for your response and comments. Accidents in the mountains are a frequent occurrence in Switzerland. Around 9000 hiking accidents a year are recorded, of which about 40 are fatal. A lot of them could be avoided if hikers followed certain guidelines, which include preparing properly, having decent equipment (and shoes!) and choosing a hike suited to one’s ability level. The lack of technical ability is certainly one factor that can put hikers in danger. But general ignorance, that hiking without inappropriate equipment, maps or water, on unsuitable routes, in poor physical fitness or bad weather conditions, is the primary risk.
On points like this, where tourists and visitors can reach high mountain regions by cable cars and people’s imagination to have healthy outdoor fun and adventure… accidents occure more frequently. This is just one information sign, of some more specific signs. But I think this captures more attention, than the written ones. (I have not seen such high heels on that specific day, but flip-flops, platform shoes, crocs, etc. not on the trail though, I think the weather was to bad, to go outside and ruin those shoes). And it was a great sign, and it was a lucky find for the ons11.
About the fence: Behind the fence the cliff drops for about 500 meters. As this cliff is windswept the fence prevents building up snowbanks/drifts in winter.
Great find and shot for the ons11. :)