Everyday life on the mountain
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Alp time means little leisure time. During the approximately 100 days of the alpine summer, the Alpine men and women do one thing above all: work. From sunrise to sunset. Seven days a week.
Often, the alarm clock rings even before sunrise. The daily work depends on whether it is a cattle or dairy cattle alp. However, they all have one thing in common: the cattle must be tended to before breakfast: watering, administering salt, and possibly milking. The cattle are also the focus of attention during the day: counting and checking that they are all healthy and uninjured. Fences play an important role in ensuring an accident-free summer on the mountain pastures, which is why they are also regularly checked. Fences divide the pastures and prevent animals from straying or falling on steep slopes.
Harvesting hay
In certain nature reserves, the cattle are not allowed to graze on the meadows due to regulations, and the Alpine farmers must mow the grass. Very steep slopes are too dangerous for heavy cows and clumsy cattle, and they are not without danger for the Alpine men and women either. With good shoes and the right tools, they often work these areas by hand and then carry the hay in large bales on their backs to the hay cart.
The challenge of schooling
It is not only adults who go to the alp. Many alp operations are family businesses with children. School summer holidays usually last six weeks, but the alpine season extends over around 100 days. This makes the journey to school a challenge for families. There used to be an alpine school on Rigi First. The old school route, which runs from Des Alpes to First, is a remnant of this and is now used as a hiking trail.
Household
The effort of moving from the valley to the alp in early summer is like a small move. Once in the alpine hut, life is “simpler,” and that is exactly why it is more expensive. Often, the same electronic household appliances are not available as in the valley, and much must be done by hand. Also, the purchase of food is time-consuming because of the distance to shops and therefore must be well planned.
Evening
Before they can enjoy the end of the day, the farmers do their office work in the evening. If they are not too tired, they read the newspaper or play cards. But above all, they go to bed as soon as possible because the next hard day is waiting for them.