Saturday – Arriving in the Fog Link to heading
A few final goodbyes, a bit of melancholy – and a far too short night. Up early, backpack packed, boots laced: it begins. The Alp adventure starts now.
The route leads, of course, first to Saas-Fee. In my luggage: a wild mix of anticipation, nervous excitement, and that tingling curiosity that creeps in when you don’t quite know what to expect – but that’s exactly why you go.
Finally arrived, the first relief awaits: the Hannig cable car is running again! Together with a few helpers for the day, we comfortably ride up. At the top, a welcome coffee at the restaurant – a quiet ritual before things get serious.
Francesco, who arrived earlier, has already prepared quite a bit, and so we dive right in. Fence-building is on the agenda. Everyone’s busy hauling, stretching, hammering. The weather stays politely in the background – drizzly, limited visibility, but at least everything is lush and green. A true classic.
After a short lunch break, it’s straight back to work. Time flies (or fogs, depending on your view). Around 5 PM, the day helpers head back down to the valley – and for me, it gets real. This is when the Alp truly begins.
First: unpacking, settling in, trying to get oriented – and arriving. Or at least trying to. Everything still feels a bit surreal. But the first dinner with the Alp team is a lovely beginning: together with Lilian, Inga, and Francesco, we wind down the day.
Everything is still new. But it has begun. And that’s kind of wonderful.
Sunday – Orienteering with Goats Link to heading
After the whirlwind start, today is a little more relaxed. A quiet morning, then breakfast at 8:00 AM – with plans for some introduction and lots of fresh air.
Lilian and Francesco take us on a goat orientation walk. We learn where the goats hang out during the day, their favorite hiding spots (always somewhere hard to spot), and the best viewpoints to observe their antics. Basically, a mini-safari full of useful everyday tips.
Back at the Alp, it’s snack time – or a very late lunch, depending on your perspective.
The afternoon rolls by at a gentle pace. Some tidying, light cleaning, first work in the cheese dairy – slowly easing into Alp life. Nothing dramatic, but just right for a first “real” day.
Dinner is a highlight at the newly built grill spot: veggie patties and peppers. Simple, tasty, outdoors. With a view – what more could you want?
Daily routines are starting to form. And they’re not bad at all.
Monday – A Toast to Fences Link to heading
Today came with a clear theme: fences. More fences. And then a few more. In short: a fence marathon.
Morning meant more setting up, stretching, hammering – by now almost done in your sleep. Somewhere between a workout and a meditation. Wolf protection demands it – and the goats? They’re masters at slipping through if even the smallest gap is left.
By 2 PM we shift locations – down to Restaurant Alpenblick. The sales fridge needed a thorough cleaning (you can’t serve premium goat cheese from a grimy cooler). A late lunch followed as a reward. My plate: cheesy, creamy, golden spaetzle. Hearty, filling – a classic that never fails.
Back up on the Alp, of course: the next fence awaited. I can now see pasture borders in my dreams.
At 7 PM: official end of the workday. The highlight: a short call to the civilized world – the lowlands call – and a bit of reading in the mountain evening calm. Somewhere between fences, cheese, and cowbells, you do find a bit of alpine peace.
Tuesday – Fences, Fixes, and Firewood Link to heading
Today: (probably) the last round of fencing. Maybe. Hopefully. But on the Alp, you never know – there’s always another corner that could use reinforcement.
After that (final?) round, we switched to “miscellaneous mode.” Setting up water for the garden and the fountain – sounds harmless, but means meters of hose, small leaks, and lots of improvisation.
Then: everything else. Cleaning, organizing, hauling stuff from A to B, restacking wood piles. A bit like Tetris, only heavier and without points. Always more wood. First this pile, then another. There’s plenty of wood – just never where you need it.
The milking station got a roof today too – a tarp, hopefully weatherproof. Somewhere in between was a quick lunch – unplanned, but just right.
In the evening after dinner: winding down. Reading, some sketching – finally again. And a little geography quiz: we tried to name all the visible peaks from the hut. Spoiler: there are a lot. And they all look kinda similar.
Wednesday – 20 Chickens and a Cardboard Adventure Link to heading
A hands-on start: in the morning, we build a gate – plenty of feet and hooves will be passing through soon, and they should do so in an orderly way.
Then we head down to the valley – a mission-driven outing. First a stop at Landi in Visp (you never know what you might need), then on to Naters. Goal: 20 chickens.
Back to Saas-Fee with a fully loaded car – including clucking cardboard cargo. The day’s highlight: each of us carrying a chicken box into the Hannig cable car. The looks from other passengers? Priceless.
Once at the top, we hike down to the Alp with our chicken treasure. The birds handle the alpine transfer surprisingly well – natural talents.
Once the new arrivals are settled in, it’s time for our own meal. Then: gardening. Weeding. Because somehow, everything grows faster up here – except, perhaps, muscle recovery.
Thursday – 120 Bags and a Walk Link to heading
The day begins – how else? – with fences. Some minor fixes here and there. Then, the next project: a wooden fence next to the hut. Looks good, works well – and all handmade.
Lunch was more of a snack today – we barely sat down before the delivery of feed bags arrived. So: sleeves up. 120 bags, 30 kilos each – you feel it. In the arms. In the shoulders. In the will to do anything afterward.
Part two of lunch came later – this time with coffee. Much needed.
In the afternoon, I was promoted to fence inspector: power on? Gates closed? Any goat-sized gaps? Goats find holes instantly – better to find them first.
To finish: a quick tech check. The milking equipment got inspected and prepped for tomorrow’s real start of milk season.
After dinner, I treated myself to a forest walk – time to breathe and slow down. And made a few nice discoveries. Which ones? That’s today’s little Alp mystery.
Friday – Calm Before the Goat Storm Link to heading
The last day without goats. You can feel it: tension in the air – somewhere between excitement, final to-do lists, and fleeting thoughts of escape (very fleeting, promise). Tomorrow the place will burst to life, but today we still hustle.
Started with mineral licks – goat buffet deluxe, placed strategically. Then: tarp on the hay. Sounds simple, means a mix of climbing and tarp-folding gymnastics.
Next: barn cleanup. Removing anything pointy, sharp, or otherwise goat-unfriendly. They’re curious to the max – and you don’t want the first day ending in a vet visit.
Some final fence tweaks too – so tomorrow doesn’t start with an escape drama. Meanwhile, lunch appeared – much needed fuel.
Afternoon focused on the cheese dairy: cleaning, tidying, prepping – because tomorrow, after the goat arrival, we’re hosting a little aperitif. Including cheese tasting, of course. Quality control is key. (Spoiler: the cheese is delicious.)
And now? Everything’s ready. The Alp is tidy, the hay covered, the licks glint in the sun – only the goats are missing. For now. Because tomorrow, it all begins for real.