SUBJECT

MAMMUT is a Swiss outdoor company founded in 1862 providing high quality products and unique experiences to mountain sports enthusiasts around the globe.

BACKGROUND

MAMMUT ROPES SINCE 1862: The first hemp rope by MAMMUT was made in 1862, the birthdate of the company. Because the rope was as strong as a Mammoth it got the name MAMMUT which became the company name later on. The first rope made by nylon was a big innovation in 1952. Today’s MAMMUT ropes are highly technical products, which meet or excel UIAA standards and satisfy all climbing requirements. A development that makes many of today's mountaineering achievements possible.

MAMMUT ropes: Quality, performance, safety. Swiss design since 1862.

CONTENT

• Welcoming in the MAMMUT Headquarter in Seon, Switzerland

• Opening Ceremony

• Company tour to learn how MAMMUT develops the products

• Rope Machine and making your own MAMMUT rope

GOAL

You learn how a rope is made and get insights to a company, who has a heritage of more than 150 years.

DAY PROGRAM

Morning

After landing at Zurich, airport transfer to MAMMUT headquarter in Zurich. Welcoming and opening ceremony of the camp.

Lunch

Lunchbreak in the company's bistro.

13.00 – 15.30 pm

Company tour and rope making workshop.

15.30 – 17.30/18.30

Transfer to Andermatt by coach followed by getting to the accommodation and dinner.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary.

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Lunch; Supper (Camp Meal)

Today you use ‘your’ rope! A via ferrata is a climbing path on natural rock secured with iron ladders, iron pins, clamps and ropes. Safely guided by a mountain guide you learn how to climb via ferrata. Together with your mountain guide, you build a rope bridge, a special form of a suspension bridge where only ropes are used.

BACKGROUND

Towards the end of the 19th century, the first fixed rope routes were built to first climb the peaks of the Alps. During the 1st World War the Dolomites were a contested area. The region, which was difficult to access, was made accessible by via ferrata. The name Via Ferrata, which means iron path, was born. Today, via ferrata are popular attractions. The via ferratas in Andermatt belong to the most beautiful routes in Switzerland and lead up from the impressive Schöllenen Gorge along the smooth granite walls.

CONTENT

• Safety aspects in mountain environment: weather, equipment, physical condition and technical skills

• Techniques for safe walking/climbing on mountain trails, rock and via ferratas

• Building a rope bridge

• Equipment and material science

• Handling and correct use of safety equipment

• First experience in climbing up, abseiling and via ferrata

GOAL

You know about the safety issues in mountain environments and have had your first abseiling, climbing and via ferrata experience. You develop the skills to build a rope bridge.

DAY PROGRAM

10.00 – 12.00 am

Start from accommodation to outdoor climbing area followed by introduction in safety aspects and exercises in walking/climbing with hiking boots on rock surface, abseiling and instruction in correct use of via ferrata equipment. Introduction of material science with repetition about ropes.

12.00 – 13.30 pm

Lunchbreak either on spot or back in the accommodation.

13.30 – 16.00 pm

First via ferrata climbing experience. In small groups, supervised by a mountain guide you will climb your first via ferrata.

As a second part of the program, you will work on the construction of a rope bridge.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary, head for heights required, protection: very good, continuous with wire rope, iron brackets, footbridges and ladders, terrain: vertical passages (K1-2)

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Camp Meal); Supper (Camp Meal)

SUBJECT

A glacier is a mass of ice formed from snow that moves independently from the mountain to the valley.

BACKGROUND

Active glaciers have a permanent mass turnover. Snow, which is later transformed into ice, falls on the glacier and contributes to its mass gain, which is compensated in a state of equilibrium by the mass loss caused by snow and ice melting.

Today glaciers are losing mass due to the climate change and global warming. Glaciers store 70% of the world's fresh water and are the world's largest water reservoirs after the oceans.

DAY PROGRAM

10.00 – 12.00 am

Transfer to Rhone Glacier. Introduction in handling of equipment. In small groups, supervised by a mountain guide, you will experience the glacier by trekking on the ice and abseiling in a crevasse.

12.00 – 13.30 pm

Lunchbreak on the glacier.

13.30 – 16.00 pm

Visiting an ice tunnel, which is carved into the glacier and where the glacier can be experienced up close. Theory lesson in the field

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary, Terrain: mostly moderately steep (T1-T2)

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Camp Meal); Supper (Camp Meal)

Swiss agriculture has a long-standing tradition. Visit a local goat farmer and learn more about local products such as cheese and bread. The Schöllenen Gorge lies between Andermatt and Göschenen and plays an important role in the history of Andermatt. For a long time it was a major obstacle on the route from Uri via the Gotthard to Italy.

BACKGROUND

Currently, 14300 or 27 percent of all agricultural enterprises in Switzerland are active in the mountain region. They have to operate under difficult conditions. The Gotthard Pass was already an important trade route in Roman times. The Schöllenen Gorge, however, was an obstacle that was difficult to overcome. The legend of the Devil's Bridge, traditions from the Middle Ages, but also the campaigns of Hannibal and Suworov bear witness to this.

CONTENT

• Introduction to Swiss mountain farming

• Get to know typical Swiss products and gain insights into their production

• Introduction in the history of the Gotthard Pass

• The legend of Devil’s Bridge

• Hannibal and the elephants

• Russian territory in the Schöllenen GoDAY PROGRAM

08.00 – 13.00 am

Meet a local farmer in his farmhouse and experience the milking of his goats. You will produce bread and assist the farmer in the cheese making process.

13.00 – 14.00 pm

Lunchbreak. Enjoy your self-produced products together with a selection of what the farm has to offer.

14.00 – 16.00 pm

Excursion to the impressive Schöllenen Gorge with its meaningful past. Get to know the significance of the bridge for the region and dive into its history.

20.00 – 21.30 pm

Night hike to watch the stars. Learn the basics to navigate in the field by night.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary, Terrain: mostly moderately steep (T1-T2)

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GOAL

You will meet a local farmer and learn more about the production of typical local products such as milk, bread and cheese.. You learn to understand the importance of the trade routes across the Alps, especially the Gotthard Pass in the past but as well today. You visit the Schöllenen Gorge and experience the places that have been important for the history of the region as well as for Switzerland in general.

DAY PROGRAM

08.00 – 13.00 am

Meet a local farmer in his farmhouse and experience the milking of his goats. You will produce bread and assist the farmer in the cheese making process.

13.00 – 14.00 pm

Lunchbreak. Enjoy your self-produced products together with a selection of what the farm has to offer.

14.00 – 16.00 pm

Excursion to the impressive Schöllenen Gorge with its meaningful past. Get to know the significance of the bridge for the region and dive into its history.

20.00 – 21.30 pm

Night hike to watch the stars. Learn the basics to navigate in the field by night.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary, Terrain: mostly moderately steep (T1-T2)

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Feature Lunch); Supper (Camp Meal)

SUBJECT

Map and compass are an important companion in the mountains. And this is so important, because the weather can change at any time. In the fog these technical aids help you to find the right way.

BACKGROUND

It may well be that you rotate in circles in the dense fog, although you think that you are constantly hiking on. This feeling of being lost can panic you. That's why knowledge of the map and compass is important and an interesting subject too. The topographic maps of Switzerland (swisstopo) have been the best and most detailed sets of maps for generations.

CONTENT

• Introduction in swisstopo maps by different scales, topics

• How to read a map

• Theory of using a compass as well as exercise in the field by trying to navigate to a certain object

• Survival skills like water filtering and fire making

• Rescue dog presentation

DAY PROGRAM

08.00 – 12.00 am

Transfer into wilderness. Start your orientation training. Train your skills by hiking. Background and theory in cartography as well as understanding of navigation and using a compass. Field exercise in navigating.

12.00 – 13.00 pm

Lunchbreak in the field. Learn how to filter your water. Your guide will teach you in fire making. Common barbecue in the nature.

13.00 – 16.00 pm

During the afternoon hike, you will practice your rescue skills.

20.00 – 21.30 pm

Rescue dog presentation. Perform a search with the rescue dog.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary, Terrain: mostly moderately steep (T1-T2)

GOAL

You learn about the history of maps in Switzerland, will be able to read a map and navigate with a compass to a certain object. Moreover you gain specific skills to survive in the wilderness.

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic); Supper (Camp Meal)

SUBJECT

Excursion to Victorinox, the Swiss knife manufacturer who produces the "original" Swiss pocket knives.

BACKGROUND

Victorinox was founded in 1884 by Karl Elsener and employs around 2100 people worldwide. Swiss Army Knives are the best known and most frequently sold pocket knives in Switzerland. A special feature is that other tools are integrated in addition to the knife.

CONTENT

• Swiss train experience: Learn how to travel by train in Switzerland

• Visit Victorinox, the famous Swiss knife manufacturer. Knife making workshop and museum.

GOAL

Experience the Swiss train system and its peculiarities. In a guided tour you will get to know the company Victorinox and will be taught in how the famous knives are manufactured.

DAY PROGRAM

10.00 – 12.00 am

Transfer to Brunnen to the Victorinox head quarter.

12.00 – 13.00 pm

Picknick.

13.00 – 16.00 pm

Workshop in knife making. Visit the Victorinox museum.

20.00 – 21.30 pm

Time available to prepare yourself for the graduation day.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary.

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic); Supper (Camp Meal)

SUBJECT

The graduation challenge will lead you towards the source of the Rhine. The Swiss Alps are Europe's water reservoir. The Andermatt region is home to Switzerland's four largest rivers: the Rhine, Rhone, Reuss, Aare and Ticino.

BACKGROUND

The Rhine is the second longest river in Central Europe and the longest river in Switzerland. Being Europe's water reservoir plays an important role for Switzerland. Water is the elixir of life, is used to generate electricity and is very important of transporting goods.

CONTENT

• Fulfil challenges in order to pass the final exam

• Tested skills: Orientation, Survival, Communication and Cultural as well as Environmental knowledge.

GOAL

Get graduated by utilizing the knowledge you learned and the skills you practiced. Fulfill different challenges in order to prove you are capable of applying the contents of the previous days.

DAY PROGRAM

10.00 – 12.00 am

Fulfill the graduation challenges

12.00 – 13.00 pm

Lunchbreak at Mountainlake Tuma.

13.00 – 16.00 pm

Fulfill the graduation challenges

18.00 – 21.30 pm

Graduation and closing ceremony with certificate delivery.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary, Terrain: mostly moderately steep (T1-T2)

Accommodation : AndermattAlpine Hut

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic); Supper (Farewell Dinner)

SUBJECT

Departure. Stopover at Chocolat Frey, one of the most popular chocolate producer in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND

The foundation stone for the success story of Chocolat Frey was laid already in 1887. As the number 1 in the Swiss retail trade, they produce a wide variety of creations of the highest refinement.

DAY PROGRAM

10.00 – 12.00 am

Transfer to Chocolat Frey manufacture in Buchs.

12.00 – 13.00 pm

Picknick.

13.00 – 16.00 pm

Chocolate Workshop

In the evening

Transfer to Zurich airport. Departure.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

No previous knowledge necessary.

for the success story of Chocolat Frey was laid already in 1887. As the number 1 in the Swiss retail trade, they produce a wide variety of creations of the highest refinement.

Accommodation : Own arrangement

Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Picnic)