From Peak to Reality – A Clean-Up Tour with the Summit Foundation

No summit, no sunrise. Instead: gloves, garbage bags, and conversations with strangers who didn’t feel like strangers for long. As part of the Summit Foundation’s Clean-Up Tour, I spent a full day in the Grindelwald–First region collecting litter along pistes and chairlift lines. What sounded like a small side task turned into a meaningful side quest — and a reminder that protecting the mountains doesn’t only happen up high. Often, it starts right beside the trail.

The day started at 9:15 a.m. at the valley station of the First cable car. Gloves and garbage bags were handed out, first conversations began, and expectations were quietly compared.Up on First, over coffee and a “Gipfeli” at the mountain restaurant, we received a short briefing around 10 a.m. — an introduction to the area, plus key safety and environmental notes. Pragmatic and motivating, not moralising. By 10:20 a.m., we spread out across the terrain. The focus lay on areas around chairlifts and ski slopes — places where cigarette butts, snus pouches, and packaging accumulate throughout winter. What many people don’t realise: a single cigarette butt contains more than 150 toxic substances. Microplastics and organic waste can disrupt the ecological balance in ways that aren’t always visible — but definitely noticeable.

By the end of the day, we had collected 31.6 kilograms of waste — including 1,150 cigarette butts, gathered by just 24 participants. Firstbahn, Grindelwald Tourism, and the First mountain restaurant supported the day generously — with logistics, infrastructure, and genuine hospitality. That, too, contributed to the sense of ease and togetherness throughout the action. At 2:00 p.m., we met again at the mountain station: weighing, rough sorting, group photo.

And at 2:30 p.m.: the ride back down to the valley — with light backpacks, but lasting impressions.I accompanied the day both actively and photographically — unobtrusive, right in the middle of things. The images show real moments of picking up, carrying, talking, taking breaks. What touched me most: the many families with children. For some of them, this was their very first encounter with environmental care — a small beginning that truly makes a difference.

I don’t believe in perfection. We all make mistakes — sometimes even with the best intentions. But I do believe in awareness — and in honest, pragmatic ways to contribute.

Consume consciously. Plan well. Learn from others.

What I appreciated most about this day: the entire event was incredibly well organised — from the ride up the mountain to the final coffee. And above all, it never felt like work, but like a shared outing with purpose. Whether you're new to the mountains or already experienced — I can genuinely recommend taking part in the Clean-Up Tour. You spend meaningful time together while doing something useful.

A big thank you to the Summit Foundation for organising the day — and to everyone who joined.

If you want to get involved or learn more: www.cleanuptour.ch