Experience Radical Self Acceptance!
Experience a transformative journey that will help you rediscover the connection between your mind, body, and spirit. Join us in August 2023 for the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp, where you can indulge in mountain hiking, yoga, meditation, and connective group activities. Enjoy the liberating effect of living in austerity. Refresh your senses with a dip in a wild mountain lake. Discover a renewed awareness of Self and leave feeling revitalized. Read on to learn more about this life-changing opportunity!

A mountain lake where we will swim

Break away from your routines and your frequent social environment.
Cut the cables!
Imagine yourself in a faraway place
in magical nature.
Lose control & find yourself.
Enjoy being who you really are.
Share this special and heartful experience
with a nice group,
people of all ages and nationalities.
Welcome to the world of CrazyCamp.org!

Crazy Mountain Balance Camp

experience
Crazy Mountain Balance Camp
date
August 5 till August 11, 2023
open for ages
18 - 81
location
Grisons, Switzerland
accomodation
simple mountain hut high in the mountains
comfort
personal privacy
group fun
target # of participants
12
mountains
water
culture
unforgettability
participation fee
from EUR 599
status
planned
 
plant based logo
environmental footprint
extremely small
Immersed in overwhelming mountains you will reconnect with nature and reconnect with yourself!

The video above is from a Crazy Mountain Balance Camp at a different location but it gives a good impression what a Crazy Mountain Balance Camp looks like.

This experience is not everyone’s cup of tea. Do you feel totally inspired by the full description, the ‘natural high’ aspect, the intense participation, the FAQ and the testimonials? Then sign up! If the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp isn’t 100% your thing, you might end up feeling disappointed. In that case, please check if the Crazy Art Camp 2023 is something for you.

 

We'll have a mountain hut just for our group at an altitude of 2.200 m. We will be far away from "civilization". In the daytime we will be hiking in the overwhelming mountain landscapes. With picnics, and swimming in wild mountain lakes. Yoga and meditations in the fields and at the mountain tops! In the evening we will do playful and meaningful group activities. We'll cook and eat together, have massage workshops etc. The Crazy Mountain Balance Camp will be an marvellous adventure!
Let's enjoy a splendid escapade high in the breathtaking Alps, with no need for artificial stimulants! We'll steer clear of alcohol and other substances, relying on our bodies to produce adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and plenty of oxytocin for an euphoric experience :) Read more here. All food is plant-based.
In the hut and directly around there is hardly any to no 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.

people doing yoga in the mountains
 

We will be in a simple mountain hut in the middle of beautiful nature. Majestic mountains with peaks of up to 2.900 meters above sea level, valleys, streams, fields and forests will surround us. In our proximity there are only some summer farms here and there (more about seasonal migration in the Alps here).
We are in the south east of Switzerland, in the most unspoilt province of the country (Grisons/Graubünden). In the evening, stars and the moon will be the only light source outside. There will be no light pollution. From our hut, it is around 2,5 hour walking to get to the 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. It is totally off-grid. 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, shower or mobile network coverage. No smoking in the house. In and around the house, and during parts of the hikes, 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 Balance 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.

Our hut seen from a distance


Just being on these amazingly beautiful, uniquely located mountains is already a good reset for your stressed brain. Moreover, we will be actively working on bringing back balance to your life. Every day there will be yoga sessions and meditations – in the hut and outside, even during our hikes. We will be doing massage workshops.
There are measureless light-hearted moments of fun and laughter at the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp. And there are moments of emotional release. One of the house rules is “Feel happy at all times – except when you don't feel happy.” All feelings are welcome, and the intention is to not judge any of them. We will be doing plenty of exercises and games (eye gazing, for example) to connect with ourselves and with the others. These practices are inspired by concepts such as conscious relating, non-violent communication, connective kink and radical honesty. We will experience deep levels of sincere connection, radical self-acceptance, body positivity, sharing and letting go of judgement. Are you ready for this intensive experience? Are you ready to engage in those exercises and games? To be there with all your light and all your darkness? If not, or if you are only interested in the “light & fun” side of reality, then please check if the Crazy Art Camp 2023 is something for you :)
TBA
What if I love mountains but don't want to join all that sharing and yoga and massage stuff?
Then please check if the Crazy Art Camp 2023 is something for you :)

Of course you can opt out of certain activities if you're tired after an extreme day of hiking, but if all these mind and body things are not your kind of thing, then the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp is not your kind of thing.
Please notice that there is no 'leadership team' or 'staff' at the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp. Our yoga facilitator and Klaas will participate in the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp activities just like the other participants. At best they are 'primi inter pares'. We're all in it together :) (faq)

Moon in the night, seen from our hut

The days in the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp will see quite a bit of 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).

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 not so long hike (T3) will bring us to the ruins of an alpine underground ore quarry from past centuries. We will probably take a guided tour through the interior of the mine! Afterwards we'll hike back to the hut through the forest (T2 and T3).
Fourth day No big hikes; rather chillax, do some meditations and yoga sessions. Also we might explore our creativity, expressing ourselves interacting with the mountains and trees, through for example photography, making rock structures, or whatever inspires us. It's about the process, not about the result.
Fifth dayA long hike, 8 to 9 hours, T3, that will bring us to a dip in the lake and then we'll ascent another 2.750m high peak before hiking back to the hut.
Sixth day Another day dedicated to meditation, yoga and bodywork.
Seventh day Vacate the hut in the morning and descent back into civilisation. After this hike: the farewell 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.

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 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 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 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.

hikers at a snowfield

Cooking will be done by the group for the group; no à la carte service :) Because we are high in the mountains, our resources are limited, and we'll all have to be flexible. If you are very precise with your food, then this is not the right experience for you, sorry. Read Details About Diets And Restrictions1. Gluten: Usually meals are low on gluten or gluten-stuff can be kept separate easily, but if you have a hard core allergy, you're not safe. At breakfast, there is oatmeal as an option. 2. Nuts: Can usually be left out of meals/served apart, but if you have a hard core allergy, you're not safe. 3. Sugar/Diabetes: Usually things are without sugar. However, you will not be able to follow that precisely engineered menu that your dietician wants you to follow.

All food is 100% plant based. Read Food DetailsThe provided food is vegan. Also, please don't bring any animal origin foods with you, such as meat, chicken, fish, seafood, honey, milk, yoghurt, cheese, products containing gelatine, etc. If you can't do without them, please choose another Crazy Camp :)

This is an alcohol-free event. Read Alcohol DetailsThe provided drinks are non-alcoholic. Also, please don't bring any alcoholic drinks yourself. We'll do without external stimulants :) So no drugs as well. Only for coffee, we'll make an exception. If you can't commit to this, please choose another Crazy Camp :)
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.
If you are a couple, please understand that in the Crazy Camp, you cannot behave like a couple. In general, the beds are allocated through a lottery (faq) and we're all sleeping in one shared space. You participate in all activities and group life as individuals and not as a couple. Yes, you will be hugging – in the many 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.

The deal

Your participation in the cost for these 7 days / 6 nights is (depending on your situation) between EUR 599 and EUR 699 per person for accommodation, food (that we will cook together), yoga sessions, guided meditation sessions, massage workshop, and life enriching experiences.
If you feel that the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp is really the right experience for you, and you are seriously struggling with the participation fee: please reach out to me. Because I wouldn't want that money issues would stop you from participating. There are, for example, possibilities for volunteering.
What is included/provided?
+ Accommodation
+ Luggage transport from the village to the hut
+ Yoga sessions
+ Guided meditations
+ Massage workshop
+ Breakfast
+ Simple lunch (sandwiches, leftovers of yesterday's dinner)
+ Dinner (we will cook together)
+ Coffee, tea, water, juice
+ Fun and meaningful experiences
x Snacks, fruit, energy bars, soft drinks etc.
x Sleeping bags
x Towels

Crazy Campers watching the double rainbow in front of the hut

The environmental footprint of this Crazy Mountain Balance Camp is Extremely small.
  • We will not use any cable cars or alike during our stay.
  • Hiking trails are the only infrastructure that we use. There is almost no tourism infrastructure on 'our' mountain
  • There is no electricity in the hut
  • As we live in community, we are heating much smaller volumes of spaces then what we would need individually. We will cook centrally for the group, which is way more efficient than people cooking individually at home
  • Our food is entirely plant based. Livestock farming, together with the industry that comes with it, is one of the biggest contributors to climate change and destruction of nature. By sticking to plant based nutrition, we do our taste buds and our health a favour - and we do Planet Earth as a whole a favour. Check this link for more info.
  • Our activities are not 'gear-intensive' and we don't need to buy lots of materials etc.
  • The easiest way to reduce the environmental impact of your participation is by choosing your means of transport. Come by train, or join a ride share with fellow participants or through blablacar or online groups. Avoid flying. Avoid driving alone. The network of night trains in Europe is growing and growing, a great way to travel! If you need assistance in finding the best prices, please reach out to me.
  • Don't buy new gear for this Crazy Mountain Balance Camp. Find second hand gear or ask around in your friends circle; maybe you can borrow. If you travel intercontinentally for this Crazy Mountain Balance Camp, reach out to me, I might be able to lend things to you so you don't need to travel with them.
  • Don't buy fresh clothes for this Crazy Mountain Balance Camp. First of all, forget about fashion. At the Crazy Mountain Balance Camp, no one will judge you for your looks. You will enchant us with your personality. If there is a hole in your hiking pants, just patch it. If there is a piece of clothing that you really need, find it in a second hand store or at a clothes swap.
  • Don't bring synthetic soaps, shampoo with nanoplastics, etc.. A piece of vegan Savon de Marseille / Aleppo soap / hard soap or what ever you call it, will do perfectly for skin, hair and clothes.

Don’t miss this adventure week in the mountains!
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN TOGETHER!

Join!

This event will be open to people that have participated in a Crazy Camp before and people that are introduced by someone that has participated in a Crazy Camp before. Others will have a video call with Klaas as part of the application procedure.
If you want to participate in this event, then please use this application form. After review of your application, I will send you instructions on how to make the advance payment (faq) and about cancellation policies. The advance payment is EUR 349. Until you pay the advance payment there is no commitment – not for you and not for me.

If you can not participate in this specific Crazy Camp, then please sign up for the newsletter and I’ll keep you updated about the other upcoming Crazy Camps.