Crazy Mountain Camp 2020

We will be in a simple mountain hut in the middle of beautiful nature: mountains with peaks of up to 2.900 meters above sea level, valleys, streams, fields and forests. In our proximity 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). We are in the south east of Switzerland, in the most natural province of the country (Grisons/Graubünden).

From our hut, it is around 2,5 hour walking to get to the nearest village (altitude difference: 700m). In that village there is a bus stop and a railway station. The hut can be reached by mountain bike as well.

The mountain hut is very simple and with a very natural feel. The beds are bunk beds in a group room. There is an open kitchen with a wood stove. The toilet is a simple outhouse. Please do not expect luxury things like comfort, electricity, personal privacy or mobile network coverage. No smoking in the house. In and around the house clothing is optional [faq]

We will be in Grisons in the south east of Switzerland. One bus away from Chur and Chur can easily be reached by train; direct high speed train from Frankfurt for example; 5:30 hr from Paris by high speed train with one change; 4 hr by train from Milano with one change; night train from Budapest/Vienna with one change, etc. Chur is also serviced by Flixbus and Eurolines international buses.

The other option is to offer or join a ride share, for example through blablacar or with other Crazy Mountain Camp participants [faq].

Switzerland is member of the Schengen agreement. If you can travel in any other Schengen country, you can travel in Switzerland.

The days in the Crazy Mountain Camp will be dedicated to mountain hiking. Not mountaineering; no ropes, crampons or helmets. 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. And also if you want to spend your days relaxedly searching for berries or spotting birds, feel free to do so. Basically everybody is expected to participate in the group life at the end of the day and in the evening [faq].

One thing about hiking in groups. Keep in mind that a 'stronger' person can adapt to a 'slower' person, but a 'slower' person can not adapt to a 'stronger' person. So when we hike in a group, we'll set the capabilities of the 'slower' group members as standard while the 'stronger' people will have the satisfaction of applying their social skills by adapting to the group :-)

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 (3 hours, T2). Luggage will be brought by tractor to the hut.
Second day As a warming up we will make a hike (T3) that is not very long and not very technical – but will take us to a 2.750m high peak. Picnic and sunbath on the summit before we go back to the hut.
Third day A long hike, 10 to 12 hours long including breaks, T3 and T4. We will traverse 4 passes with lots of ascents and descents, in absolute solitude through untouched valleys. Our short swim in a wild mountain lake will be refreshing!
Fourth day A not so long hike (T3) will bring us to the ruins of an alpine underground ore quarry from past centuries.
Fifth day A relaxed hike through the forests. T2 and T3.
Sixth day Another long hike, 8 to 9 hours, T3, that will bring us to another dip in the lake and then we'll ascend another 2.750m high peak before hiking back to the hut.
Seventh day Vacate the hut in the morning and descend back into civilisation. After this hike: the farewell group hug in the village!

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. At this altitude it can be that we'll hike in full sunshine with 27 degrees air temperature – and it can be that we wake up with fresh snow around our hut!

Although the Crazy Mountain Balance 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 something warmer also. A pair of hiking poles is helpful but not a necessity. If you suffer from vertigo or acrophobia, most of our hiking program will not make you feel happy.

What if I love mountains but don't want to join that 'serious' hiking?

I really like the whole idea and I would really like to join, but I'm really not into all this T3 and T4 hiking. Are there options for me?
Yes there are. You can make easy hikes for example around the hut. For these kind of hikes you don't even need mountain hiking shoes; good walking shoes will do the job, but forget about flip flops, heels and mocassins. If you're into nature photography or drawing landscapes, you will find a multitude of subjects within 500 meters from the hut…
Most probably you will not be the only one that will not join the bigger hikes.