Swiss dating app, titled 'Mountain Tinder,' redefines romantic encounters by introducing mountain-top connections
In the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, a unique dating phenomenon has taken root. Known as Mountain Tinder, this analogue alternative to online dating has been captivating hikers and outdoor enthusiasts since its inception in 2023.
Thibaud Monney, a 29-year-old avid hiker, is the brains behind this innovative concept. Inspired by a desire to share mountain views with someone special during a climb near Lake Gruyere, Monney came up with the idea of leaving messages in traditional leather-bound visitor’s books found on mountaintops. However, it was his colleagues who suggested the idea of placing dedicated "Tinder" notebooks on summits, and the initiative took off.
Mountain Tinder works by placing red notebooks on mountain peaks, primarily in the canton of Fribourg. These notebooks are stored in metal letterboxes mounted, often on large wooden crosses near the summits. Hikers can write messages about themselves or their interests in the notebooks, and other hikers who reach these peaks can read the entries and respond by leaving messages. This simple yet effective system has led to romantic connections and even couples meeting through this analogue system.
Monney currently maintains notebooks on seven peaks and replaces them as they fill up. Some of the easier peaks to reach include La Vudalla, at an altitude of 1,669 meters, while the technically difficult climb up the 2,376-meter Vanil de l'Ecri is reserved for the fittest.
The shared love of nature serves as a good filter in Mountain Tinder, attracting like-minded individuals who appreciate the great outdoors. This approach offers a tangible and nature-immersed way for these individuals to connect, providing a contrast to impersonal online dating apps. It has been especially appreciated by those weary of digital dating, facilitating serendipitous meetings through shared mountain experiences.
Monney himself found love through this unique system. His partner contacted him after seeing him on television. The idea of Mountain Tinder has since spread to other Swiss cantons and as far as Argentina. Some have even congratulated Monney for liberating dating from algorithmic dictates.
In addition to his work with Mountain Tinder, Monney also provides woodwork vocational training for disabled people, further demonstrating his commitment to connecting people and fostering community. Mountain Tinder continues to grow in popularity, offering a refreshing twist on traditional dating in the Swiss Alps.
- Users of Mountain Tinder, an analogue dating phenomenon in Switzerland, not only share their love-and-dating interests in dedicated notebooks, but also their affinity for outdoor-living and home-and-garden, as many of the meetings and messages occur in picturesque landscapes and atop the alps.
- The success of Mountain Tinder in fostering relationships has led to it being applauded for providing a lifestyle-altering alternative to impersonal online dating apps, immersing its users in nature and facilitating serendipitous connections through shared mountain experiences.
