Organised by: Julia (spricht CH-DE, DE, EN)
About the weekend
We’re trying something new! From March 2 to 3, we are offering an introductory weekend for anyone who would like to try out winter camping. And with little risk – because we will be spending these two days in the safe surroundings of Nature Camping Morteratsch (where the cover picture was taken). But it will still be cold in the tent – the rough forecast currently predicts -10 degrees at night and around zero during the day. But there will be an opportunity to warm up and, if necessary, a warm refuge at night if something doesn’t go according to plan.
On our arrival day (Saturday, 2.3.) we will arrive at the campsite around noon and after lunch we will choose our pitches and shovel them (shovels are available on site). Hopefully we’ll be finished by dusk at the latest – if you want, you can heat up in the local sauna before or after dinner, before spending the night in the tent and putting your equipment through its paces. On Sunday, March 3, after packing up, we can go on a short hike to the Morteratsch glacier, where ice caves have recently formed again (enter at your own request and risk / responsibility). The trail is a winter hiking trail, snowshoes are not required. It takes about 2 hours / 8 km to get there and back. After returning, we make our way home.
Who is the weekend suitable for
The weekend is the perfect introduction for all those who either already have their winter equipment together but haven’t really dared to try their gear yet – or all those who have been interested in the topic for a long time but don’t yet know how best to get started. The weekend will be accompanied by the SMG founder, herself an enthusiastic ski camper, who will be on hand with tips. Before the tour, there is the opportunity to clarify any remaining questions in a short call or via WhatsApp. Please note that we are no tour organiser and this is a private gathering. The risk of this winter activity lies entirely with the participant – don’t underestimate the cold, it’s very different from summer camping. If you have any questions before signing up, send me an email: julia@swissmountaingirls.ch
Information about the equipment
You will need the following equipment:
- Warm winter sleeping bag (comfort at least -10, preferably warmer – please do not confuse this with extreme values!) or two sleeping bags with comfort around zero degrees or below, which you combine with each other.
- Winter insulation mat with an R-value of at least 4 (see here for more information on the R-value) or higher or two mats that you can combine with each other (e.g. mat with R-value 3 and Z-Lite foam mat).
- A bivouac sack or a 4-season tent. Depending on the forecast, a 3-season tent may also be ok for one night, we can discuss this and there may also be space in another participant’s tent.
- Down jacket and possibly trousers
- gaiters
- Gloves (warm and waterproof)
- Water bottle for warmth
A detailed equipment list will follow after registration. If you do not have the equipment, we recommend that you hire it – e.g. from iglubauer.ch or, in some cases, from the usual outdoor equipment suppliers. Tip: Take care of this as early as possible, as such special equipment is often only available on request and must be organized by the rental company.
How to register
To register, please fill out the form below. Please note that your registration is binding. Places are limited to a maximum of 5 – “de Schnäller isch de Gschwinder” 😉 After your registration you will receive a confirmation and a message from the organizer Julia as soon as possible. The event will only take place if there are enough participants – we cannot yet estimate how many can warm to the topic (pun intended).
IMPORTANT: If you are unexpectedly unable to attend, please let us know by February 28 at the latest so that we can give others on the waiting list the opportunity to come along. Participants who cancel at short notice will be excluded from future events. We strive to offer our events free of charge and invest a lot of our free time in these events (we all work on a voluntary basis), but have unfortunately experienced many no-shows/no-answers or super last-minute cancellations in recent years, which is demotivating for the organizers. That’s why we had to establish this rule.
Disclaimer / Please note
The event is free of charge, but our organizers are always happy to receive a small tip via TWINT for their voluntary work (it takes about three days to organize and carry out a hike). The number will be announced after registration, you will be invited to a Whatsapp group. Food and drink are not included in our hikes and you must bring your own. Participation is at your own risk and responsibility, as we are only a volunteer community of friends and not an official tour provider. You will therefore be asked to confirm a disclaimer below. You can also find more information in our FAQ.
The event is currently fully booked. However, you can add your name to the waiting list below and we will be happy to inform you when a spot becomes available!
