Crazy Mountain Camp 2016 — Intense Edition
Come FEEL the mountains!
July 4 till July 9, 2016 the Crazy Mountain Camp took place in a remote valley in central Switzerland. Long mountain hikes every day; crazy group games, hot tub, spending a week in a unique location!
Break away from your daily routines and your daily social environment. Cut the cables! Imagine yourself in a remote place in overwhelmingly beautiful nature. Lose control & find yourself. Enjoy being who you really are. Share this unique and intense experience with a very diverse group, people of all ages and nationalities.
Welcome to the world of CrazyCamp.org!
Don't just visit the mountains. Feel the mountains! Be part of it! Immerse yourself in the overwhelming alpine nature, together with an international group of likeminded people!
4 - 9 July 2016
12
Simple mountain hut
Central Switzerland
EUR 275 You may be qualified to receive a €41 reduction if conditions are met.
Activities
We'll have a mountain hut just for our group in a remote valley in the Alps, at an altitude of 1.500m and far away from "civilisation". In the daytime we will be hiking in the overwhelming mountain landscapes with picnics and a bit of swimming in wild mountain lakes. Also we will learn things about the unique culture of the Swiss summer farmers. In the evening we will organize crazy group games, cook and eat together, we'll enjoy the sunset while having a glass in our outdoor hot tub etc. The Crazy Mountain Camp will be an amazing adventure!
Location
We will be in a simple mountain hut, far away from the noise and rumble of cities and villages, in the middle of beautiful nature: mountains with peaks of up to 3.200 metres above sea level, canyons, rivers, fields and forests. There are no villages in this valley; there are only some summer farms here and there where the farmers make cheese from the milk of the cows that stay on the high fields during summer (more about seasonal migration in the Alps here).
From our hut, it is an almost two hour walk to get to the nearest village. In that village there is a bus stop; the bus connects to a railway station. There is no public road for cars in our valley. The hut can be reached by mountain bike as well.
Accommodation
The wooden hut is simple and reflects the life style of the summer farmers. All beds are in one big sleeping room. There is an open kitchen with a wood stove and there is a toilet. Outside is the hot tub. Please do not expect luxury things like comfort, privacy or mobile network coverage. There will be max. 14 people in our group. Inside the house clothing is optional [faq]; around the house as well, at least in the quiet moments. No smoking in the house or in the hot tub.
Mountain hiking
The days in the Crazy Mountain Camp will be dedicated to mountain hiking. Not mountaineering; no ropes, crampons or helmets. But quite intense: every day an 8 to 12 hours long hike! More info on the trail classifications (T1 etc.) here. Please do read!
There is a hiking program set up but it is not an obligation to participate; if you are a seasoned mountaineer you might prefer to go rock climbing by yourself instead of hiking with our group. In general everybody is expected to participate in the group life at the end of the day and in the evening [faq].
Weather conditions in the mountains can change fast and often. For this reason, the program can be changed according to what is safe and enjoyable.
What if I love mountains but don't want to join that 'serious' hiking? Then join one of the other Crazy Mountain Camps!
The program might look something like this:
First day We'll all meet in the afternoon at the bus stop in the village. Walking up to the hut (T1). Luggage can be brought by car.
Second day An easy hike that is not over steep slopes and always on non-challenging trails (T1 and T2). Picnic in the fields, magnificent views and a visit to the cheese production facilities of one of the summer farms. This day allows all 'lowlanders' to acclimatize to the altitude.
Third day A longer hike, technically more challenging also (T3). We hike to a small mountain lake, picnic and have a swim. If we feel fit, we will hike to a 2.500m high summit.
Fourth day We'll not go higher than 2.400 meters, but this is technically the most challenging and most exposed hike, including a ridge with amazing views to all sides (T3 and T4).
Fifth day From the hut we directly ascend a summit that is 'only' 2.350m high, but the ascent is steep. To the summit and down the other side (intermezzo at a lake), then back through the valley – all day.
Sixth day Vacate the hut in the morning, then optionally an easy hike (T2) to a small museum about the life of the summer farmers, possibly using one of the 3 small cable cars that connect the summer farms with the valley. After this hike: the farewell group hug!
Preparation
Although the Crazy Mountain Camp is intended to be a relaxed, non-competitive event, mountain hiking is a sports activity that demands some extra attention for two reasons: altitude and safety. You don't really need to have experience in mountain hiking, but you will need a fair condition, good mountain hiking shoes, a daypack, a water bottle, rain protection and some warm 'layers'. A pair of hiking poles is helpful but not a necessity. If you suffer from vertigo or acrophobia, our hiking program will not make you feel happy.
Please keep the following in mind: the Crazy Mountain Camp is more a social event than a sportive event. The 'weakest' group member will set the pace.
How to get there
We will be in the very heart of Switzerland, in one of the Cantons that founded Switzerland (Federal Charter of 1291). Zürich airport is at 100km, Basel airport at 155km, Geneva 330km, Milan at 215km. Excellent train connections (and then one bus) from mayor cities in Europe.
From Benelux (and NRW or Alsace) there is a ride share available [faq], approx. EUR 80 two-way per person.
Switzerland is member of the Schengen agreement. If you can travel in any other Schengen country, you can travel in Switzerland.
Participation Fee
The deal
Your participation in the cost for these 5 days and nights is EUR 275 per person for accommodation, food (that we will cook together) and tourist taxes.
Or EUR 234 if you are female and you choose to make use of the Gender Pay Gap Compensation [faq]
That is cheap! However, don't come if you are only interested in an affordable holiday. The Crazy Mountain Camp is all about the group, spending fun evenings together, doing crazy games, and enjoying the mountains together!
This Intense Edition was at the same location as (and ended directly before) the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp; joining both meant 12 days/nights at this location, with EUR 50 reduction on the total.
What is included/provided?
+ Accommodation
+ Breakfast
+ Simple lunch (sandwiches, leftovers of yesterdays dinner)
+ Dinner (we will cook together)
+ Coffee, tea, milk, water, juice
+ Tourist taxes
+ Unforgettable fun
Not included:
x Snacks, fruit, energy bars, energy drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages
x Sleeping bags
x Towels
A Past Experience
The Crazy Mountain Camp 2016 — Intense Edition has already taken place. It was a wonderful journey!
We hope to see you at one of our future gatherings.
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