WINTER BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING IN SWITZERLAND

New Year’s Eve Winter Camping Adventure

For this years New Year’s Eve (2019 – 2020) we for once choose not to party and spend our night in the mountains. Me and my buddy @eliasharder decided to use the good weather forecast for our benefits and go backcountry camping in the swiss alps.

Our journey started at the Gondola up to Melchsee-Frutt (Prices listed below). As we arrived at Melchsee-Frutt, we hiked up to Bonistock (2168 M.ü.M). For the help of orientation; there’s a skilift at the top. But usually in Switzerland, the hiking trails are very well signposted.

We made a short pause at the top of Bonistock and enjoyed the stunning view. But we weren’t at our goal yet, so we continued our hike with our heavy, filled backpacks.

After another hour of snowshoe-hiking we reached our final destination for today, Hohmad.
We chose a safe place on the large area and started to dig a 4 x 4 squaremeter hole in the snow. We did this to protect us from potential wind. Also, it is less cold in the tent if you dig down.

Elias and I had some spare energy after shoveling. So we built a couch made out of snow next to our Tent. We then later ate our dinner on the couch. But first we put up the tent and laid out our sleeping mats and our sleeping bag.

During the setting up one of the most craziest sunsets I have ever witnessed happened right behind us. 

After a few photos we continued to cook our dinner. We enjoyed delicious mashed potatos with vegetables and noodles. Pretty soon we went to the warm bed. After a short time we were already warm.

A little trick if you’re cold: Fill the pan of your gas cooker or jetboiler with snow. Boil up the snow and pour the hot water into a bottle. Now put the bottle into the sleeping bag and it serves you perfectly as a bed bottle.

Elias and I got up again at 11.45 PM to toast the new year together. From the Hohmad (were we had our tent) we saw many fireworks in the valleys of Switzerland.

After a rather warm night in winter, we enjoyed the incredible atmosphere during sunrise in the morning.

We packed up our things again, checked that we took everything with us and left the place clean, and set off again towards Melchsee-Frutt.

INFORMATION

Prices:
Gondola Stöckalp — Melchsee-Frutt retour
With Halbtax or GA: 16.50 CHF
Normal: 33.– CHF

Hike Time: 3 Hours /way

Distance: 8km /way

Altitude Gain/Loss: 530m

Start/End Point: Melchsee-Frutt

More information here: https://www.melchsee-frutt.com/bergtour-hohmad.html

Do you have further questions?
Send me a DM on Instagram: @yanickkuchler

Or send me an E-Mail:
yanickkuchler@gmail.com

Peace out from Switzerland
Yanick