The happy mountaineer's

[Dare]

Naked hikers face spot fines in Swiss canton


updated 2 hours, 22 minutes ago
GENEVA - Naked mountain hikers in the Swiss canton of Appenzell-Innerrhoden will in future face on the spot fines of 200 Swiss francs ($170), Swiss daily Tages-Anzeiger reported over the weekend.

A wave of naked hiking — particularly popular with German visitors — outraged people last year in the traditionally minded canton, Switzerland's smallest by population, which gave women the vote only in 1990.

"We must protect our children from these immoral habits," the paper quoted Melchior Looser, head of the cantonal justice and police department, as saying.


Police succeeded in catching a naked hiker red-handed last September, and the 44-year-old Swiss man was charged with public nuisance. But the case has not yet been heard, leading the local authorities to push for a quicker way to deal with offenders.

It was not clear where the naked hikers would find the money, although hikers often carry rucksacks.

[Wizzo]

Twin Peaks?

[John S]

They have a bare faced cheek, on both sides.

[Scott]

I've never run into a policeman while hiking in the alps.  I'm all for naked hiking (not me, but women!), and as for the kids, they're either too young to care, or get a kick out of it (and probably isn't the first time they've seen those bits uncovered anyhow).  It's not as if these criminals are having sex on the trails, they're just strolling along.  It was all over the papers here a couple of weeks ago, but most people think there really isn't an issue - they just laugh about it. 

I guess the police in Appenzellerland have nothing better to do, then I hope they have fun chasing down streakers.

Besides, those of us who have been in co-ed naked saunas before know that it is rare that exhibitionists are worth looking at...those that aren't cover up pretty well.