Though a bit late for Valentine’s Day, there's a charming new way for nature lovers to meet — affectionately dubbed “Mountain Tinder.”
Unlike the dating app, this version requires no swiping or selfies. Instead, participants leave handwritten notes at mountain summits.
The idea began in 2023 as a light-hearted joke by 29-year-old hiker Thibaud Monney. While climbing the Dent de Broc, which overlooks Switzerland’s scenic Lake of Gruyère, Monney felt the absence of someone to share the moment with. On a whim, he scribbled his thoughts in a traditional summit logbook: “I climbed for the sunset — next time, we’ll be two.”
Monney, who trains disabled people in woodworking, shared the story with colleagues. They playfully suggested placing “Tinder” notebooks on mountaintops. He did — and it took off.
And yes, it actually works.
Cathy Rotzetter, 58, weary of online dating, discovered a red notebook on the Wandflue peak last October and left her note: “I enjoy relaxed hikes and drinks afterward.”
A week later, Patrick, also 58, read it and was intrigued. Sitting together in an alpine pasture, Cathy laughed, “It was just a beautiful way to meet.”
Now, the once-joke is sparking real mountain-top romance — the old-fashioned way!