Out of the crisis, into nature: DAV spokesman with a declaration of love for hiking

Created: 16-01-2022Updated: 16-01-2022 15:02

By: Simon Nutzinger

Enjoying the time in nature: Joachim Deutschenbaur, spokesman for the DAV Starnberg section.

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Loneliness is spreading in times of the pandemic.

Joachim Deutschenbaur from the Starnberg Alpine Club thinks he has found the best therapy: Off into nature is his motto.

Starnberg – The corona pandemic has turned the world upside down. Instead of hugging, celebrating and having fun together, it is now mostly: keep your distance, minimize contacts, be careful. Joachim Deutschenbaur is convinced that this will not remain without consequences. "Many people are lonely, anxious and frustrated," says the spokesman for the Starnberg section of the DAV. He himself has found his own way out of the crisis: out of your own four walls and into nature. "Nothing makes you freer and happier - this is the best therapy I know," he says.

The 77-year-old sociologist and psychologist is out and about as often as possible. And has already noticed some positive effects: Due to the distance from everyday life that inevitably occurs when hiking, he can cope better with the restrictions. The physical activity offers distraction, rest, overview and vision, confidence and encouragement. "The mood is much more positive there," emphasizes Deutschenbaur.

Especially when hiking in the mountains, he identified another positive factor in Corona times. "Nowhere is it easier to meet new people," he says. On the mountain, the atmosphere among each other is always relaxed, there is no “you”, everyone is on first-name terms. "You get straight into conversation in a relaxed manner." A closeness that is currently hardly available in everyday life - and therefore seems all the more necessary. Deutschenbaur emphasizes: "It's just good to talk to people who aren't in your immediate environment."

It is important to him that experiences in nature do not automatically mean going to so-called hotspots such as Lake Eibsee or the mountains around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. "Hiking along one of our lakes is no less beautiful and relaxing," he clarifies. And in the mountains, it doesn't always have to be the tour that feels like half of Munich and the Oberland are on the road. "There are also enough routes away from the mainstream." In the DAV annual report from 2021 there are numerous such suggestions. This can be found on the Internet at www.dav-starnberg.de.

To ensure that the Alpenverein is also filled with life during the pandemic, the Starnberg section has come up with some new ideas for its currently around 2300 members this winter.

The offer ranges from training in avalanche search in the clubhouse and in the mountains to ski touring training for beginners.

"It is important that we continue somehow despite Corona," says Deutschenbaur.

Youth work is particularly close to his heart.

The climbing tower that the city of Starnberg had set up on the Schlossholzl has proven to be worth its weight in gold.

"That's exactly what we need - after all, we are not an old people's club, but an alpine club."