Alm Tradition Continues In The Tyrolean Alps

BLUDENZ, AUSTRIA - JULY 25: A cows stands still aoutside dairy Alpe Albona in the Vorarlberg mountain range of western Tyrol on July 25, 2013 near Bludenz, Austria. Alpine dairy Alpe Albona is run by herdsman Martin Riedmann and his family. He is commissioned by farmers from his home village of Dornbirn to lead the cattle up into the mountains every summer, where the animals thrive on the abundant alpine meadows. Riedmann sleeps in a traditional alm, which has only simple photovoltaic electricity, and he must bring his own supplies of food and other necessities. Alm tradition, which in many cases also includes artisanal alpine cheese production and other crafts, dates back centuries and is an integral part of alpine culture in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and northern Italy. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)