Friends of the Mountains
Friends of the Mountains. Perhaps this expression is unfamiliar to many who have never visited Switzerland, but it reflects a reality for those who have traveled there and wandered among the peaks, discovering the joy of climbing and the beauty of landscapes that foster a bond with the environment. There, one breathes clean air, finds relaxation, and learns much from nature in these mountains.
In that country, the Swiss Alpine Club was founded in 1863. It counts thousands of members, both Swiss and from other countries, and is often referred to as the “Friends of the Mountains.” Members enjoy access to thousands of quiet mountain huts, hiking trails, mountaineering routes, and opportunities to explore nature.
During my recent visit to Switzerland, I made it a point to engage in mountain tourism, in addition to tours of historical palaces and various cities. Yet, the most significant aspect was walking among the mountains, ascending their summits, and even attempting to live simply there for a few days—free from the obligations and burdens that weigh heavily on daily life and cause exhaustion.
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In this brief respite of simple living in these mountains, one becomes a different person. You hear the true voice of nature, often drowned out by daily noise, and your eyes rest from visual pollution, because nature has its own rhythm. When you are embraced by nature, even your perspective on things and colors changes; everything appears more beautiful, and beauty itself transforms, for nature sets the rhythm.
The “Friends of the Mountains” in Switzerland are merely enthusiasts who appreciate beauty from a completely different perspective than the one they are accustomed to over the years. Even when using mountain railways and cable cars to reach prominent peaks of the Alps, you become like a bird flying at a low altitude, enjoying unobstructed views. You see people below, villages, and their daily lives. Even if only for a few minutes, this offers a moment to reflect on life and its diversity.
Indeed, one person pulls a cart, another hangs laundry, a third tends to livestock, and yet another may be lost in contemplation of the world. As you observe all this, you think about those around you in the cable car, while they, too, are preoccupied with their own affairs.
Diversity in daily life is the hallmark of existence; it is life itself. In these mountains, you become part of the scene, because harmonizing with those peaks means you have become familiar to the nature you temporarily inhabit, even if only for a few days.
The “Friends of the Mountains” in Switzerland are not superhuman beings; they are people who know how to live. In that country, you witness a realistic, interactive, and artistic depiction of life.
