Manfred Kohl, who is AAUPW member Shari Temple's husband, will talk to us about the German Alpenverein. He has been a member for years and is much involved in all it has to offer.
The Alpenverein, with 1.3 million members the world's largest climbing association, was established in 1869 and has continued to the present day. It's "a home for everyone who loves the mountains where members can experience them safely, ecologically and as part of a group - now and in the future." Alongside climbing, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, mountain biking, kayaking and trail maintenance, it offers self-catering huts, climbing gyms and maintains the Alpine Museum on the Praterinsul in Munich. There is a strong focus on habitat conservation and youth work.
Manfred will speak about his own experiences and involvement, what activities are offered, how the Alpenverein is organized and how individuals can get in contact with a branch (Sektor) in their area. He wants to make sure that people are not awed by such a large organization and can find a comfortable contact at a local level. After all, there are so many possibilities for everyone in this incredible organization.