How is the image of the Alps changing over the decades? What traces do people and natural events leave in the landscape? Between June and September 2017, under the name whatsalp a group of alpine enthusiasts trekked from Vienna to Nice through the Alpine region. Whilst on foot, the walkers documented the current state and the changes of the Alpine regions along their journey. It is about the beauty and potential destruction of the Alps, regarding the overuse and under under-utilization of alpine cultural landscapes, and the living conditions of the population. An important guideline of this thematic long distance hike is the Alpine Convention for a sustainable development of the Alpine regions.

Along the whatsalp route, the group joined various site meetings with interested parties on location about current issues and topics. It was possible for others who were interested to join, however whatsalpwas not run as a guided tour, individuals who wished to take part had to organise themselves.

The whatsalp hike largely followed the route the TransALPedes Group took 25 years ago. This allowed comparisons between the situation in 1992 and today, but also offered a view for the future. During the hike, the experiences and encounters were continually reported in writing, pictures and sound. The project was carried out in collaboration with the International Committee for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA) and the Alpen-Initiative.