Silence will be an important element in this experience. Throughout the week we will build up silence: we will have moments of conscious silence in the hut; we will do some (parts of) hikes without conversation, and by the end of the week we'll have a complete day of silence. Well, the sounds of nature will always be there. The wind in the forest, the water in the stream next to the hut.

As we will, step by step, eliminate external sounds, we will finally hear the sounds in ourselves. Our inner voice. By fully accepting the situation and by fully accepting our Self, we will eventually encounter the Silence Within. A very liberating experience.

Let's enjoy this amazing adventure high in the Alps without any external stimulants! We will refrain from consuming alcohol and drugs. Our body will take care of generating adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and lots of oxytocins to get us high :) Read more here. All food is plant-based.

In the hut and directly around there is hardly any GSM/mobile phone reception. Also, on big parts of the hikes there is no (or almost no) network. In the hut there is no Wi-Fi and if we keep our phones on airplane mode (as there is no network anyway) we will not be generating any radiation ourselves either.
Read DisclaimerDisclaimer: this has been the situation in this hut in the past years. However, I can't guarantee that no telecom provider would put a new antenna somewhere that would change things. In all honesty, this is very unlikely because there is no economic interest to put extra antennas in this very remote place.

Our mountain refuge is really simple. The beds are simple mattresses in the attic. A wood stove on the ground floor serves for heating and cooking. There is no electricity. Our bathtub is a natural pool in the stream close to the hut. You're signing up for the raw experience. No smoking in the house. In and around the house, clothing is optional ()

We will be in Ticino in the south of Switzerland. There is a very convenient railway station nearby; 2:10h from Milano (with one change); 6:15 hr from Frankfurt with one change; 7 hours from Paris with one or two changes. And also from (for example) Berlin, Amsterdam, Vienna, etc. you can reach the station with just one change. Direct trains from Basel and Zürich over a very scenic route. The other option is to offer or join a ride-share, for example through blablacar or with other Crazy Inner Silence Mountain Camp participants (faq).

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

The program might look something like this:
First day We’ll all meet in the afternoon at the train station in the village. From there, a car will drive us to the entrance to the valley. From there, we will be on our own. Hiking up to the hut (2,5 hours, T3, sometimes exposed). In our backpacks not only our personal stuff but we also share the weight of the food for the week.
Second day As a warming up we will make a hike (T2/T3) that is not very long and not very technical. It will take us to a natural 'amphitheatre' shaped landscape where we will have lunch and do meditations.
Third day A long and intense hike, some 10 hours including breaks, T3 and T4. We will leave a bit earlier in the morning. It will take us to a mountain lake high in the adjacent valley, where we can have a dip.
Fourth day After yesterday's effort, today we'll grant our legs a pause. No hike planned; just enjoy nature, do meditation and a workshop, and make a small walk in the area.
Fifth day Another long and intense hike (T3) that will take us into a side valley where only emptiness will keep us company.
Sixth day Vacate the hut in the morning and descent back into civilization.

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.

One thing about hiking in groups. Keep in mind that a 'stronger' person can adapt to a 'slower' person, but a 'slower' person cannot 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 :-)

Although the Crazy Inner Silence 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 will need a fair condition, good mountain hiking shoes, a daypack, a water bottle, rain protection and something warmer as well. A pair of hiking poles is helpful, but not a necessity. If you suffer from vertigo or acrophobia, some 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 around the hut, for example. 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.

There is space and time for workshop-like activities, so if you would like to share some of your knowledge or skills, feel free! Maybe you want to teach us some capoeira, do a photoshoot or make us sing the traditionals of your native culture? Just some ideas... it really can be anything. Another fun activity that we'll be doing together is... cooking! (and cleaning afterwards...)

If you are a couple, please understand that in the Crazy Inner Silence Mountain Camp, you cannot behave like a couple. In general, the beds are allocated through a lottery (faq) and we're all sleeping in one common space. And you are expected to participate in all activities and group life as individuals and not as a couple. Yes, you will be hugging – in the numerous group hugs! So be prepared to sit each at opposite sides of the table during dinner, and accept that someone other than yourself might be giving your partner a massage of the sour muscles.

If you identify as female or are genderqueer, and you choose to use the Gender Pay Gap Compensation (faq), then your reduced participation fee is EUR 739.

The reduced price of EUR 739 is also available for students and people that receive unemployment support. In these cases, you will be asked to provide a proof of your status.

If you feel that the Crazy Inner Silence Mountain Camp is really the right experience for you, and you are seriously struggling with the participation fee: please reach out to me.

What is included/provided?
+ Accommodation
+ Breakfast
+ Simple lunch (sandwiches, leftovers of yesterday's dinner)
+ Dinner (we will cook together)
+ Coffee, tea, water, juice
+ Guided meditations, workshops
+ Meaningful experiences

x Snacks, fruit, energy bars, soft drinks etc.
x Sleeping bag liners
x Towels

If you can't participate in one of the currently announced Crazy Camps, then please sign up for the newsletter, and I’ll keep you updated about the other upcoming Crazy Camps.