The year is turning now. Here in the Mattertal the heat of the summer fled and the mountainsides already hold the hue of gold and red. Winter even paid us a hesitant visit, but we asked it to wait a while yet. Autumn is always a season for reflection, a season for harvest, a season for new beginnings. Perhaps in this covid-dominated year we need more than ever a time to reflect, a time to try out new ways of doing, of being. Nothing is the same, everything changed. Yet, rockfalls and avalanches not withstanding, the mountains here hold their counsel.
We’re offering an end of season variation on our Swiss Valais Trails camp here amongst the majestic mountains of the Mattertal (and Saastal). We’ll stay based in the village of Grächen to explore some of the best running tours in these two valleys. Focusing on day tours we have flexibility and we can tailor the camp to you, the participants, depending on the weather conditions. This is an ideal opportunity to boost your technical skills and endurance, or simply to enjoy a few days in the mountains in good company!
For those of you also missing Nepal (and those of you who don’t yet know what you’re missing), we’ll also spend one night across the valley at the Yakpfad (yak farm) we can see even from Grächen. Lacking a very long hängebrucke between the two sides of the valley the only way to reach it is by means of a long down and up, because everything is more fun by foot. But then after a small effort we are also perfectly placed to explore that side of the valley.
Ceding to the season and to the unusual covid-times we will also offer some (optional) meditation sessions. And Susanna will offer yoga sessions to complement your movement in the mountains. Most days there will be an option to shorten the running tour or to join a hiking group over some of the route. It’s the season to slow down so we’ll try to cover all options.
Grächen is easily accessible by public transport and it is a delightful small village situated on a sunny alp with superb views. A nice place to be based for a few days!
The basic package includes 4 days of running / hiking and meditation sessions, with 4 nights bed and breakfast in Grächen and 1 nights bed, breakfast and dinner at the Yakfpad across the valley (simple but comfortable accommodation). In Grächen you have the option of “distanced” dormitory accommodation in the Sportzentrum with bedding, hot showers and kitchen on tap, or bed and breakfast in an apartment.
Course director: Lizzy Hawker (instruction in English)
Yoga Teacher: Susanna Hempel
